Chef Manager - Arlington, Texas

FLIK Independent School Dining; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Commuter Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking a Chef Manager to lead both the culinary and food service operations of a school dining program, ensuring high standards of quality, safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction. The role blends hands-on kitchen leadership with administrative duties, including inventory management, cost control, staffing, payroll, and weekly/monthly reporting.

You will champion scratch cooking with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and collaborate with school

Qualifications

• 3+ years of culinary management experience in contract foodservice, fine dining, or high-volume settings.
• Strong understanding of P&L management and cost control experience in a contract-managed service environment.
• Proven ability in menu development, production planning, cost controls, and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations, including production, menu planning, food preparation, and sanitation.
• Oversee full food service operations: inventory, ordering, receiving, and vendor relations.
• Ensure HACCP compliance and health regulations across the operation.
• Collaborate with the dining team on local, sustainable ingredient-focused menus.
• Maintain P&L accountability, supervise food and labor costs, and contribute to financial reporting.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management for frontline staff.
• Train and mentor teams to uphold service standards and culinary excellence.
• Ensure front- and back-of-house cleanliness, signage, and accurate pricing.
• Partner with school administration for events and community dining initiatives.
• Handle payroll, invoicing, and weekly/monthly reporting.
• Foster a culture of safety, partnership, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Culinary management

P&L management

Menu development

Leadership

Cost control

Food safety

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

FISD

Salary: $70000 - $80000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: N/A

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting‑edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

The Chef Manager is responsible for leading both the culinary and food service operations of a school dining program, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, sustainability, and guest happiness. This position blends hands‑on culinary leadership with administrative and operational responsibilities, including inventory management, cost control, staff supervision, and compliance. The ideal candidate is a skilled culinarian with strong leadership abilities and a passion for scratch cooking, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of culinary operations, including production, menu planning, food preparation, presentation, and sanitation.
• Run full food service operations including inventory control, ordering, receiving, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP standards, health regulations, and company food safety policies.
• Collaborate with the dining team on creative, student-centered menu development that emphasizes local, sustainable ingredients.
• Maintain P&L accountability, supervise food and labor costs, and contribute to financial reporting and forecasting.
• Lead all hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management for frontline staff.
• Train, mentor, and coach culinary and service teams to uphold service standards and culinary perfection.
• Ensure attention to detail across front- and back-of-house operations including cleanliness, signage, menu displays, and pricing.
• Partner with school administration to support special events and community dining initiatives.
• Lead all aspects of administrative functions such as staff payroll, invoicing, weekly and month-end reporting.
• Champion a culture of safety, partnership, and continuous improvement across the department.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary management experience in contract foodservice, fine dining, or high-volume restaurant settings.
• Strong understanding of P&L management and experience in a contract‑managed service environment preferred.
• Confirmed expertise in menu development, production planning, cost control, and inventory management.
• Extensive knowledge of culinary trends, sustainability practices, and food safety regulations.
• Knowledge of exhibition cooking and interacting with guests in a customer-focused environment.
• Effective team leadership and performance management skills, including conducting performance evaluations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience strongly preferred.

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• 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
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• 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, copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FISD.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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1567634

FISD

STEPHANIE FREER

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