Catering Executive Chef

Sodexo; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Wellness Programs

401(k) with Matching

PTO & Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Sodexo in Menlo Park, CA is seeking a high-impact culinary leader to shape operations across large and multi-unit environments, driving menu innovation and hands-on training.

You will mentor teams, oversee plate costing, inventory control, and use of culinary management systems while upholding the highest food safety standards; a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• Extensive culinary management experience in high-volume or multi-unit operations.
• Deep expertise in menu planning, plate costing, and recipe development.
• Technical skills in culinary systems (e.g., FMS) with strong organization.
• ServSafe certification and HACCP knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations at scale across multi-unit accounts.
• Develop menus and recipes with hands-on kitchen leadership.
• Coach and develop culinary talent; mentor teams and train staff.
• Drive cost control, inventory management, and system usage.

Skills

Culinary management

Menu planning

Plate costing

Recipe development

Team leadership

Food safety HACCP

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

FMS

Job description

Bring Asian flair, culinary finesse, and exceptional flavor to executive and C-suite dining! Lead lunch buffets and elevate our everyday catering experience.Schedule: Monday–Friday, Day ShiftAbout the jobStep into a high-impact culinary leadership role where your expertise will shape operations across large or multi-unit environments. You'll drive innovation in menu creation, coach and develop top-tier talent, and elevate standards through hands-on training and strategic support.Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.Pay Range: $103445 per year - $133870 per yearWhat’s in it for youLead culinary operations at scale, supporting diverse teams across complex, high- volume accounts.Bring creativity to life through hands-on recipe development, menu planning, and culinary production.Strengthen operational performance through plate costing, inventory control, and expert use of culinary management systems.Serve as a mentor and trainer, advancing food safety, FMS best practices, and culinary standards.Play a key role in recruiting and developing strong culinary talent across multiple locations.Use your systems knowledge to streamline workflows and boost efficiency.Represent the brand with confidence in client-facing presentations, new program launches, and retention efforts.What you’ll bringExtensive culinary management experience in high-volume or multi-unit operations, with a proven ability to lead complex teams and deliver consistent results.Deep expertise in menu planning, plate costing, and recipe development, with a sharp eye for culinary trends and innovation.Technical skills and proficiency in culinary systems (e.g., FMS), along with exceptional organization and attention to detail.Demonstrated ability to create processes, drive efficiency, and solve problems independently.ServSafe certification and working knowledge of HACCP, with a commitment to upholding the highest food safety standards.RequirementsEducation Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experienceManagement Experience: 5 yearsRelated Experience: 3 yearsWhat we offerCompensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs401(k) Plan with Matching ContributionsPaid Time Off and Company HolidaysCareer Growth Opportunities and Tuition ReimbursementMore extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.Who we areAt Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.