District Chef

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mon–Fri day shift

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with pre-tax/Roth

Health Savings Accounts

Telemedicine

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

Job summary

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence in Arizona recruits for a back-of-house leadership role focused on preparing nutritious meals and managing daily kitchen operations. You will lead menu development, cost controls, and food safety practices while partnering with Cafeteria Managers to ensure high-quality student meals.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or GED, plus 3+ years in back-of-house foodservice.

Qualifications

• Experience with food safety standards and HACCP.
• Strong cost control and budgeting understanding.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and nutrition analysis/menu systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute student-focused menus; develop recipes and conduct taste tests.
• Manage food production, ordering, commodities, and cost control.

Skills

Food safety

HACCP

Microsoft Office

Nutrition analysis/menu systems

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate's degree in Culinary Arts

Bachelor's degree in Food & Nutrition / Food Service Management

Tools

Budgeting software

Inventory management

Job description

Ready to change the world? At SFE, we are fueling students to take on their school day one meal at a time, and we need YOU to help bring those healthy, great tasting meals to their plates every day. We are passionate about delicious food, creating a customized experience for each of our districts and schools, bringing innovation to the table and being compassionate leaders to our teams. If you're looking for a career that can truly make an impact on a child's day, we want to meet you!

You Will:

• Plan and execute student-focused menus by preparing quality meals, developing new recipes, conducting taste tests, and ensuring offerings are nutritious, cost-effective, and appealing.
• Manage food production and operations, including ordering food and supplies, utilizing commodities, and maintaining strong cost control practices.
• Lead hands-on training and development for kitchen staff in food safety, HACCP, cost management, cooking techniques, and food presentation.
• Ensure consistent quality and compliance by partnering with Cafeteria Managers, following all health regulations, and supervising and evaluating team members.
• Support program success through menu entry and nutritional analysis, chef demonstrations, timely reporting, and other assigned duties.

You Have:

• High School Diploma/GED required; Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or Bachelor's degree in Food & Nutrition, Food Service Management, or related field preferred
• 3+ years of experience in back-of-house foodservice or restaurant operations
• Experience with foodservice budgeting, food cost control, and inventory/order management
• Knowledge of food safety standards and HACCP; ability to obtain required food handler certification within 2 weeks of hire
• Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office, and nutrition analysis/menu systems

Key SFE (Southwest Foodservice Excellence) Benefits:

At SFE, we believe great work starts with great people. That's why we offer Monday–Friday, day‑shift schedules, competitive pay, and a benefits package designed to support your life — both at work and at home.

Eligible employees enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, a 401(k) with pre‑tax and Roth options, employer‑contributed Health Savings Accounts, and access to wellness tools like Telemedicine and an Employee Assistance Program. We also offer employee discounts and flexible options when life changes.

If you're looking for stability, work‑life balance, and a company that truly invests in its people, SFE may be the perfect fit.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program.