Chef Manager

Sodexo; Tinton Falls (NJ); On-site; USD 59,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Welln

401(k) Plan with Matching

Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

Career Growth Opportunities andTuition

Job summary

Sodexo in New Jersey is seeking a Chef Manager to lead culinary operations for a school dining program, shaping the student experience through quality food, strong team leadership, and innovative dining solutions.

You’ll combine culinary creativity with purpose, partner with school leaders, mentor frontline teams, and deliver nutritious meals that support student success while strengthening the school community.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent; management experience preferred.
• Experience in high-volume, school-based or institutional dining.
• Strong leadership and financial acumen for menu execution and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations and standardize processes for consistency.
• Mentor frontline teams and drive professional development.
• Design menus balancing creativity with client preferences and nutrition standards.
• Oversee procurement and cost-effective sourcing to maintain quality.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team development

Menu design

Financial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Food safety HACCP

Education

High School Diploma, GED or equivalent

Tools

Inventory management software

Procurement systems

Job description

Join Sodexo as a Chef Manager and lead culinary operations for a premier school dining program. Shape the student experience through quality food, strong team leadership, and innovative dining solutions that make a lasting impact.

You’ll combine culinary creativity with purpose. Partner with school leaders, mentor frontline teams, and deliver nutritious meals that support student success while strengthening the school community.

About the job

Take on a leadership position where your vision and expertise will drive culinary excellence. You’ll lead the charge in standardizing operations, fostering team development, and crafting innovative menus that meet diverse client needs, all while building strong partnerships that elevate the dining experience.

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

$58735 - $76010

What’s in it for you

Enjoy the balance of a school-based schedule while advancing your culinary career with Sodexo. Build meaningful relationships, lead with autonomy, and make a positive difference in the lives of students and families.

Find purpose beyond the kitchen. You’ll help create memorable dining experiences, support student success, develop future leaders, and be part of a team committed to serving the community with excellence.

• Lead the implementation of streamlined culinary systems that boost consistency and operational success.
• Inspire and mentor a dedicated team, shaping future leaders and promoting professional growth.
• Oversee procurement and purchasing to ensure top-quality ingredients and cost- effective sourcing.
• Design menus that balance creativity with client preferences and nutritional standards.
• Champion fresh, innovative culinary ideas that keep dining experiences exciting and relevant.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with clients through exceptional service and collaboration.
• Play a key role in shaping culinary strategy and driving continuous improvement across your area.

What you’ll bring

Bring your passion for culinary excellence, hospitality, and leadership to Sodexo. Success in high-volume food service, team development, customer engagement, and operational performance will help you thrive.

The ideal candidate brings strong culinary and financial acumen, a commitment to food safety and quality, and the ability to inspire teams while building positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.

• Extensive culinary expertise with a proven track record in high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environments.
• Leadership and management skills, with experience mentoring teams and driving professional development.
• Advanced menu planning abilities combined with a deep understanding of current culinary trends and client preferences.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with proficiency in computer systems to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to implement processes independently that improve productivity and consistency.
• ServSafe certification and solid working knowledge of HACCP principles to ensure food safety and compliance.

Requirements

• Education Requirement: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent experience
• Management Experience: 1 year

What we offer

Compensation 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 Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At 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.