Chef Manager: Hands-On Kitchen & Operations Lead

QUEST FOOD MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

QUEST FOOD MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC is seeking a Chef Manager in Downers Grove, IL to lead daily culinary operations and a small team. The role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with account management, budgeting, and client relations to ensure exceptional guest experiences.

The successful candidate will develop menus from scratch using high-quality ingredients, oversee catering and events, and maintain compliance with food safety standards while balancing operational and financial goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of culinary, food service, or hospitality management experience.
• Strong hands-on cooking and culinary skills.
• Experience with menu planning and development.
• Experience with purchasing, ordering, inventory management, and food-cost control.
• Experience planning and executing catering and/or special events.
• Demonstrated experience leading, training, and developing a team.
• Experience managing budgets, food and labor costs, and/or P&L responsibilities.
• Strong client and customer relationship skills.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles.
• Ability to balance culinary with administrative and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day culinary and food service operations.
• Maintain hands-on cooking, catering, and service as needed.
• Develop menus aligned with QUEST standards and client expectations.
• Plan catering and special events, including staffing and service.
• Manage purchasing, ordering, and inventory to control costs.
• Oversee budget, payroll, invoices, and financial reporting.
• Coach and develop team members to high performance.
• Maintain client relationships through proactive communication.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP, and sanitation.
• Support account openings and transition when needed.

Skills

Culinary management

Team leadership

Menu development

Food safety HACCP

Budget & P&L

Client relations

Job description

QUEST FOOD MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC is seeking a Chef Manager in Downers Grove, IL to lead daily culinary operations and a small team. The role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with account management, budgeting, and client relations to ensure exceptional guest experiences.

The successful candidate will develop menus from scratch using high-quality ingredients, oversee catering and events, and maintain compliance with food safety standards while balancing operational and financial goals.