Executive Chef

Compass Group USA; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance/AD&D

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Compass Group USA is seeking an Executive Chef to lead daily culinary operations and administrative functions. You will drive culinary quality, ensure safety standards, and elevate guest experiences across diverse dining environments.

The role requires 5+ years of leadership in premium food service, with a focus on sustainability and cost optimization. A strategic, team-centered leader will thrive in this dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited culinary institution preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience as an Executive Chef or similar role.
• Proven ability to foster a culture of food safety, workplace safety, and operational excellence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and lead diverse teams.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, kitchen management systems, and other operational technology tools.
• Passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, sustainability, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, labor management, inventory control, and cost optimization.

Responsibilities

• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure food safety compliance with allergen management, sanitation protocols, and regulations.
• Guest Experience Leadership: Design, oversee, and enhance the end-to-end dining experience.
• Culinary Excellence: Lead by example with food quality, presentation, and flavor.
• Operational Management: Maintain adherence to menu standards and production guidelines.
• Wellness & Nutrition: Develop balanced, high-quality meal offerings.
• Hospitality Culture: Foster a welcoming, service-focused environment.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, train, coach culinary team members.
• Administrative Oversight: Manage payroll, scheduling, reporting, and HR documentation.
• Procurement & Sustainability: Align purchasing with standards and sustainability initiatives.
• Talent & Compliance Management: Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and certifications.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Team leadership

Culinary excellence

Education

Culinary degree (preferred)

Tools

Google Workspace

Kitchen management systems

Job description

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As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!

great people. great services. great results.

Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar.

This role is responsible for leading daily culinary operations and administrative functions, including financial management, regulatory compliance, and food safety oversight. The ideal candidate will combine exceptional culinary expertise with strong business acumen to deliver operational excellence, innovative dining experiences, and outstanding service outcomes.

Working closely with operational leaders and cross-functional partners, the Executive Chef will drive culinary quality, maintain rigorous food standards, and elevate the overall guest experience. This position plays a critical role in fostering a culture of safety, hospitality, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Compass is deeply committed to workplace and food safety, and the Executive Chef will serve as a champion of these principles by ensuring the well-being of guests, team members, and the broader community. The Food Program's vision is to inspire and empower individuals to make thoughtful food choices while creating dining experiences that support sustainable lifestyles and thriving communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with workplace and food safety standards, including allergen management, sanitation protocols, and all local, state, and corporate regulations.
• Guest Experience Leadership: Design, oversee, and continuously enhance the end-to-end dining experience, delivering innovative, high-quality food offerings and exceptional service.
• Culinary Excellence: Lead by example with a passion for food quality, preparation, presentation, and flavor while inspiring the culinary team to consistently exceed expectations.
• Operational Management: Maintain adherence to menu standards, production requirements, preparation guidelines, and established operational procedures, ensuring consistency and accountability.
• Wellness & Nutrition: Develop and deliver balanced, high-quality meal offerings that support the health, well-being, and satisfaction of guests.
• Hospitality Culture: Foster a welcoming, service-focused environment that promotes professionalism, engagement, and memorable dining experiences.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, train, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence.
• Administrative Oversight: Manage payroll, accounts receivable, scheduling, reporting, and HR-related documentation to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Procurement & Sustainability: Ensure purchasing practices align with organizational standards, budget expectations, sustainability initiatives, and food program guidelines.
• Talent & Compliance Management: Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, certifications, and documentation requirements to maintain compliance and support team success.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited culinary institution preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or similar role within a high-volume, premium food service environment.
• Proven ability to foster and strengthen a culture centered on food safety, workplace safety, and operational excellence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and lead diverse teams.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, kitchen management systems, and other operational technology tools.
• Passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, sustainability, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, labor management, inventory control, and cost optimization.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic culinary leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional food experiences, building high-performing teams, and driving operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

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.

Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Corporate are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Personal Leave
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

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.

Nearest Major Market: Charlotte
Job Segment: Food Service, Executive Chef, Payroll, Accounts Receivable, Culinary, Hospitality, Finance