Chef Manager - Dayton, Ohio

Compass Group USA; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining in Dayton, OH is seeking a Chef Manager to lead culinary and food service operations, upholding high standards of quality, safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction.

The role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with admin tasks like inventory, cost control, payroll, and staff development. Ideal candidate has 3+ years in culinary management, strong P&L skills, and a passion for scratch cooking and seasonal ingredients.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary management experience in contract foodservice, fine dining, hospitality, or high-volume restaurant environments.
• Strong understanding of P&L management and experience in a contract-managed service environment preferred.
• Proven expertise in menu development, production planning, cost control, and inventory management.
• Extensive knowledge of culinary trends, sustainability practices, and food safety regulations.
• Experience with exhibition cooking and engaging with guests in a customer-focused environment.
• Strong 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of culinary operations, including production, menu planning, food preparation, presentation, and sanitation.
• Manage 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 to develop innovative menus that emphasize fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.
• Maintain P&L accountability, oversee 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 excellence.
• Ensure attention to detail across front- and back-of-house operations, including cleanliness, signage, menu displays, and pricing.
• Support and execute catering functions, special events, and guest dining experiences.
• Oversee administrative functions including staff payroll, invoicing, weekly reporting, and month-end reporting.
• Champion a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

Skills

Culinary management

P&L management

Menu development

Cost control

Inventory management

Staff leadership

Food safety

Sustainability practices

Training and coaching

Vendor relationships

Microsoft Excel

Education

Culinary degree

ServSafe Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

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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 culinary and food service operations, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction. 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.
• Manage 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 to develop innovative menus that emphasize fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.
• Maintain P&L accountability, oversee 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 excellence.
• Ensure attention to detail across front- and back-of-house operations, including cleanliness, signage, menu displays, and pricing.
• Support and execute catering functions, special events, and guest dining experiences.
• Oversee administrative functions including staff payroll, invoicing, weekly reporting, and month-end reporting.
• Champion a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary management experience in contract foodservice, fine dining, hospitality, or high-volume restaurant environments.
• Strong understanding of P&L management and experience in a contract-managed service environment preferred.
• Proven expertise in menu development, production planning, cost control, and inventory management.
• Extensive knowledge of culinary trends, sustainability practices, and food safety regulations.
• Experience with exhibition cooking and engaging with guests in a customer-focused environment.
• Strong 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.

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.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.