CHEF MANAGER (CATERING & EXECUTIVE DINING) - JOHNSTON, IA

Compass Group USA; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/AD&D

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

Compass Group USA’s Canteen division in Johnston, IA is seeking a Chef Manager to lead our Executive Dining and Corporate Catering program. You will create exceptional dining experiences for executives, clients, and employees while driving operational excellence in a premier workplace environment.

Bring 5+ years of culinary management, strong menu development skills, and ServSafe certification to lead a high-performing team, manage budgets, and deliver best-in-class hospitality in a dynamic

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary management experience in executive dining, corporate catering, or high-volume upscale environments.
• Proven experience planning and executing premium catering events and executive dining programs.
• Strong culinary creativity with ability to develop memorable menus.
• Experience leading and developing culinary and hospitality teams.
• Experience managing budgets and P&L in a food service environment preferred.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Excellent communication and client relationship management skills.
• A passion for hospitality and high-quality ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Lead executive dining, café operations, and catering services to deliver an elevated guest experience.
• Create seasonally inspired, chef-driven menus with emphasis on quality and presentation.
• Design and deliver high-end catering for executive meetings, board functions, and events.
• Partner with clients to customize menus and ensure exceptional event execution.
• Oversee inventory, ordering, receiving, and sourcing with precision.
• Drive food cost, labor, purchasing, and budget accountability.
• Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing using local, seasonal ingredients.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Inspire and mentor culinary and service teams to sustain top-tier hospitality.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and customer satisfaction across all functions.

Skills

Menu development

Team leadership

Food cost management

HACCP knowledge

Education

ServSafe Certification

Job description

CHEF MANAGER (CATERING & EXECUTIVE DINING) - JOHNSTON, IA

Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation:Yearly Bonus Opportunity up to 10%

Canteen brings break time to everyone. We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen’s solutions include markets, office coffee and snacks, unattended retail, and culinary.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, collaboration, and passion fuel our growth. Interested in joining our team? You bring the enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. Together, we’ll continue to transform our industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

JOB SUMMARY

We’re seeking a forward-thinking, hospitality-driven Chef Manager to lead our Executive Dining and Corporate Catering Program. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate culinary leader to create exceptional dining experiences for executives, clients, and employees while driving operational excellence in a premier workplace environment.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead all aspects of executive dining, café operations, and catering services, delivering a seamless and elevated guest experience.
• Create and execute seasonally inspired, chef-driven menus with a focus on quality, presentation, and innovation.
• Design and deliver high-end catering experiences for executive meetings, board functions, client events, and special occasions.
• Partner with clients and stakeholders to customize menus and ensure exceptional event execution.
• Oversee inventory, ordering, receiving, and product sourcing with precision and efficiency.
• Drive financial performance by managing food costs, labor, purchasing, and budget accountability.
• Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing, emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop culinary and service team members to consistently deliver best-in-class hospitality.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction across all dining and catering functions.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of culinary management experience in executive dining, corporate catering, contract dining, fine dining, hotel, or high-volume upscale environments.
• Proven experience planning and executing premium catering events and executive-level dining programs.
• Strong culinary creativity with the ability to develop innovative menus and memorable guest experiences.
• Demonstrated success managing food costs, inventory, labor, and operational performance.
• Experience leading and developing culinary and hospitality teams.
• Strong understanding of HACCP standards, food safety regulations, and sanitation practices.
• Experience managing budgets and P&L in a food service environment preferred.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Excellent communication and client relationship management skills.
• A passion for hospitality, innovation, culinary excellence, and high-quality ingredients.

WHY JOIN US

Be part of a growing and dynamic culinary program where creativity is encouraged, quality is never compromised, and your leadership directly shapes the daily experience of executives, clients, and employees. You'll have the opportunity to elevate executive dining and catering services while bringing fresh ideas, innovative menus, and exceptional hospitality to every guest interaction.

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Canteenare 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.