Executive Chef

Matchbox-Charlottesville; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchbox-Charlottesville is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the Heart of House operations, ensuring MBFG quality standards and brand integrity at the restaurant level. This role directs the HOH team to deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences.

You will develop the management team, monitor food safety, oversee profitability, and collaborate with HOH staff to maintain efficient operations and strong performance across shifts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of direct kitchen management experience.
• Culinary school background preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to speak and understand Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Heart of House team to ensure MBFG quality standards and guest experience.
• Develop management team and coach hourly staff to support talent pipeline.
• Influence culture, promote safety, and monitor food safety and plating.
• Manage restaurant profitability through financial oversight and inventory procedures.
• Train staff and ensure documentation, scheduling, and compliance.

Skills

Kitchen management

English communication

Spanish language

Education

Culinary school background

Job description

Salary Range: $45,000.00 To $55,000.00 Annually

The role

The executive chef provides Heart of House leadership at restaurant level. Directs and supports Heart of House team to ensure the consistent execution of Matchbox Food Groups (MBFG) quality standards, operating systems, procedures, philosophies, and cultural icons.

Your Essential Functions

• Actively influence the behavior of others to ensure cultural icons are reflected in daily practice, promoting a safe and healthy work environment and superior guest experience
• Develop management team and hold them accountable for developing hourly Heart of House staff to support the organizations talent pipeline and assist in growth.
• Impact restaurant profitability through effective financial management
• Monitor and maintain the Heart of House facility
• Represent, support, and protect the Matchbox Food Group brand
• Assist New Restaurant Openings as required

How you can uphold our standards

• Actively monitor food execution. Ensure adherence to recipe and proper preparation and plating technique.
• Understand all aspects of Matchbox pizza production which include, recipe adherence, dough quality, storage, and oven maintenance.
• Actively participate in food reviews with the ACOM, ADO, and GM. Provide feedback to the entire Heart of House Team.
• Continuously gather and review feedback from the field regarding quality issues or inconsistencies. Analyze problems to identify root cause, and take necessary action to rectify.

Concerning HOH Ops

• Train Heart of House staff to operate the restaurant effectively and successfully.
• Ensure the Heart of House is properly staffed for all shifts.
• Manage all Heart of House systems within the restaurant.
• In cooperation with ACOM, develop corrective action plans when necessary to prevent recurrence of problems.
• Manage HOH administrative procedures, to include staff files, health department reports, schedules, production sheets/pars, ordering pars, and inventory procedures.
• Maintain strict adherence to proper food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Ensure a safe working environment in the Heart of House to reduce the risk of injury and accidents. Complete accident reports promptly in the event of an injury.
• Actively support security procedures in the restaurant to protect employees, guests, and company assets.
• Actively manage housekeeping systems and on-going repair and maintenance programs to properly maintain the restaurant.
• Facilitate ongoing communication among key stakeholders for all operational issues, concerns, or changes.
• Monitor daily operation for improper food handling and other causes of unnecessary waste. Lead action to correct.

People management is also key…

• Manage the hiring, supervision and development of staff. When necessary, manage employee counseling and discipline (which may include terminations).
• Ensure complete and proper documentation for all personnel actions (hiring, performance review, disciplines, etc.)
• Provide ongoing feedback which includes conducting performance reviews/conversations in order to maintain a culture of transparency.
• Ensure all training materials, schedules and guidelines required for Heart of House staff training are being followed.
• Continuously evaluate staff and actively assist in the identification, development, and promotion of key talent.
• Monitor staff morale, and take action to correct breakdowns in employee satisfaction and engagement at the restaurant level.

Your Education & Work experience includes…

• Minimum 3+ years of direct kitchen management experience
• Culinary school background preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively in English
• Ability to speak and understand Spanish preferred

You should be someone who…

• Has a high level of organizational skills with multi-tasking capabilities
• Has the ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage workloads with minimum direction.
• Possesses a high attention to detail and strong follow through
• Is dependable, reliable, and highly motivated