Chef Manager: Lead Culinary & Catering Excellence

Canteen North America; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Critical Illness Insurance

Accident Insurance

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Legal Services

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Canteen is seeking a talented Chef Manager to lead culinary and catering operations, delivering exceptional food quality, client satisfaction, and operational excellence. This role oversees production, catering execution, menu innovation, inventory, and team leadership in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with at least 3 years of senior experience, strong cost control skills, and a passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of culinary leadership experience in catering, corporate dining, hospitality, restaurant, or contract foodservice environments.
• Strong knowledge of catering operations, menu development, food production, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Proven experience managing food and labor costs while maintaining high culinary standards.
• Extensive knowledge of current culinary, catering, and hospitality trends.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, sanitation, and food safety programs.
• Experience leading and developing culinary teams in a high-volume environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and client relationship management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, and P&L performance preferred.
• ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary and catering operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service execution.
• Develop innovative menus and catering offerings that align with client preferences, trends, and business objectives.
• Manage food production, purchasing, inventory, and receiving while maintaining cost controls and minimizing waste.
• Drive financial performance through effective labor management, food cost control, and budget accountability.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and company standards.
• Build and develop high-performing culinary teams through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Partner with clients and internal stakeholders to deliver memorable catering events and workplace dining experiences.
• Monitor operational metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Support sustainability initiatives through responsible sourcing and waste reduction practices.
• Maintain a culture focused on safety, hospitality, quality, and operational excellence.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Catering operations

Menu development

Food production

Purchasing

Inventory management

Labor cost control

HACCP

ServSafe

Job description

Canteen is seeking a talented Chef Manager to lead culinary and catering operations, delivering exceptional food quality, client satisfaction, and operational excellence. This role oversees production, catering execution, menu innovation, inventory, and team leadership in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with at least 3 years of senior experience, strong cost control skills, and a passion for hospitality.