Chef Manager - Santa Clara Market

Bon Appétit Management Company; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit markets an opportunity for a hands-on Chef Manager to lead culinary operations at the Santa Clara Market. The role emphasizes menu innovation, operational excellence, and delivering an exceptional guest experience in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

The candidate will develop seasonal menus, coach teams, and drive food quality while ensuring adherence to HACCP standards and cost controls. Strong leadership and collaboration are essential to succeed in this role.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Chef Manager or culinary management experience in high-volume settings.
• Culinary degree or AS in Culinary Arts preferred; relevant experience considered.
• Experience with menu development, recipe creation, and seasonal menu planning.
• Experience leading teams in fast-paced restaurant operations.
• Strong knowledge of food costing, purchasing, inventory management, and budget accountability.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety regulations.
• Experience using CM+ or similar menu management platform preferred.
• ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations with focus on quality, consistency, and execution.
• Develop and refresh menus aligned with guest preferences and seasonal ingredients.
• Manage inventory, purchasing, ordering, receiving, and food cost controls.
• Oversee scheduling, staffing, training, and development of culinary team.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Monitor labor costs, productivity, and overall kitchen performance.
• Utilize CM+ or similar menu management platforms to develop recipes and production docs.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and exceptional guest service.

Skills

Menu development

Team leadership

Food cost control

Inventory management

Food safety (HACCP)

CM+ knowledge

ServSafe certification

Education

Culinary degree or AS in Culinary Arts

Tools

CM+ or similar platform

Job description

Bon Appetit

Salary: $85,000 - $90,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

Santa Clara Market is seeking an experienced Chef Manager to lead our culinary operation with a strong focus on menu innovation, operational excellence, and an exceptional guest experience. We're looking for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced restaurant environment, enjoys developing seasonal menus, and is passionate about coaching teams while delivering high-quality food.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all daily kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and execution.
• Develop and refresh menus that align with guest preferences, seasonal ingredients, and business objectives.
• Manage inventory, purchasing, ordering, receiving, and food cost controls to achieve financial goals.
• Oversee scheduling, staffing, training, and development of culinary team members.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Monitor labor costs, productivity, and overall kitchen performance.
• Utilize menu management systems, including CM+ or similar menu-building platforms, to develop recipes, menus, and production documentation.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, innovation, and outstanding customer service.
• Support sustainability initiatives through responsible sourcing and minimizing food waste.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of Chef Manager or culinary management experience in a high-volume restaurant, market, or food service environment.
• Culinary degree or Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or a related field preferred; relevant experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience with menu development, recipe creation, and seasonal menu planning.
• Experience leading teams in fast-paced restaurant operations.
• Strong knowledge of food costing, purchasing, inventory management, and budget accountability.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety regulations.
• Experience using CM+ or a comparable menu management platform preferred.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with a passion for developing others and delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at Bon Appetit 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, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.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.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Bon Appetit

STEPHANIE FREER