Catering Executive Chef

Compass Group USA; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit Management Company at Union College seeks a Catering Executive Chef to lead culinary vision and daily operations for a dynamic catering program serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests.

You will oversee menu development, food production, and culinary team leadership while ensuring exceptional execution across a wide variety of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale campus celebrations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading culinary teams in catering, hospitality, higher education, restaurant, or banquet environments.
• Ability to execute high‑quality catering events while managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with a passion for developing and supporting team members.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and cost‑conscious operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for the catering program, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, execution, and hospitality across all events.
• Create and execute innovative, seasonally inspired menus that align with client needs, dietary preferences, and budget objectives.
• Oversee catering production from planning through service, ensuring efficient execution for meetings, receptions, banquets, and special events.
• Partner with catering and operations teams to support event planning, menu development, logistics, and guest experience initiatives.
• Recruit, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing kitchen culture.
• Monitor food quality, production standards, and waste reduction efforts to achieve culinary, sustainability, and cost‑management goals.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Catering operations

Team development

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

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Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehansive Benefit Plan

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

As the Catering Executive Chef at Union College, you will lead the culinary vision and daily operations of a dynamic catering program serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. You will oversee menu development, food production, and culinary team leadership while ensuring exceptional execution across a wide variety of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale campus celebrations.

This role is ideal for a hands‑on culinary leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys building and developing teams, and is passionate about creating memorable dining experiences. Working closely with catering and operations partners, you will help deliver hospitality-driven events that reflect Bon Appétit's commitment to great food, sustainability, and community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for the catering program, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, execution, and hospitality across all events.
• Create and execute innovative, seasonally inspired menus that align with client needs, dietary preferences, and budget objectives.
• Oversee catering production from planning through service, ensuring efficient execution for meetings, receptions, banquets, and special events.
• Partner with catering and operations teams to support event planning, menu development, logistics, and guest experience initiatives.
• Recruit, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing kitchen culture.
• Manage purchasing, inventory, product utilization, and labor resources to support operational efficiency and financial performance.
• Monitor food quality, production standards, and waste reduction efforts to achieve culinary, sustainability, and cost‑management goals.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards while maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.
• Provide visible, hands‑on leadership during event preparation and service, supporting the team and maintaining high standards in a fast‑paced setting.
• Stay current on culinary and hospitality trends to continuously enhance menus, presentation, and the overall guest experience.

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading culinary teams in catering, hospitality, higher education, restaurant, or banquet environments.
• Ability to execute high‑quality catering events while managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with a passion for developing and supporting team members.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and cost‑conscious operations.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to build relationships with clients, guests, and cross‑functional partners.
• Passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Commitment to Bon Appétit's values of sustainability, inclusivity, and responsible sourcing.
• Culinary degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of education and professional culinary experience.
• Experience supporting high‑volume catering, banquet, or event‑driven operations.
• ServSafe Manager Certification or the ability to obtain certification.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug‑free workplace.