Executive chef

Manpowergroup Talent Solutions; Gallarate; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions in Gallarate is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee all culinary activities, drive standardization, and lead continuous improvement across our food manufacturing operations. This role combines culinary artistry with process optimization to deliver high-quality products that meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

You will work closely with Production, Quality, R&D, Procurement and Commercial teams to ensure scalability from development to

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in culinary arts or related field.
• 10+ years in food production or culinary leadership.
• Experience with large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality systems.
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary function across all product lines to ensure highest quality and presentation.
• Develop and optimize recipes, formulations, and production processes.
• Collaborate with R&D to create new products aligned with market trends.
• Define and maintain culinary standards, production specs, and recipe management.
• Partner with Operations to ensure scalability from development to production.
• Monitor product performance and implement corrective actions for quality.
• Support cost optimization through ingredient selection, yield improvement, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
• Manage and develop culinary teams with a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Participate in customer presentations, product evaluations, sensory assessments, and commercialization activities.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Education

Culinary Arts

Food Science

Food Technology

Job description

Position Summary

The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing all culinary activities within the organization, ensuring the development, standardization, and continuous improvement of food products. This role combines culinary expertise, product innovation, operational leadership, and quality excellence to deliver products that meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.

The Executive Chef works closely with Production, Quality, R&D, Procurement, and Commercial teams to drive product consistency, operational efficiency, and innovation across the food manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary function, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and presentation across all product lines.
• Develop and optimize recipes, formulations, and production processes to support product innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Research & Development teams to create new products aligned with market trends and customer requirements.
• Define and maintain culinary standards, production specifications, and recipe management systems.
• Partner with Operations teams to ensure product scalability from development through industrial production.
• Monitor product performance and implement corrective actions to maintain quality and consistency.
• Support cost optimization initiatives through ingredient selection, yield improvement, waste reduction, and process efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Manage and develop culinary teams, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Participate in customer presentations, product evaluations, sensory assessments, and commercialization activities.

Requirements

• Professional qualification in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in food production, food manufacturing, product development, or culinary leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of industrial food production environments and large-scale manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience in recipe development, product standardization, and process optimization.
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and manufacturing best practices.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Commercial functions.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Fluency in English.

Package: RAL: 40-45.000€

Place of work: Gallarate