Executive Chef

Horizon Hospitality Associates, Inc; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Job summary

Horizon Hospitality Associates, Inc in Fort Wayne, IN seeks an experienced Executive Chef to lead our upscale full-service restaurant. This mission-driven role requires a visionary leader who can refine systems, elevate guest experience, and foster a healthy workplace culture.

You will set culinary strategy, manage budgets, mentor the team, and ensure safe, sanitary operations while driving profitability and consistency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in upscale casual or fine dining.
• Culinary degree and wine certification preferred.
• Proven track record in budgeting, forecasting, and cost controls.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership: culinary strategy focused on upscale presentation and guest satisfaction.
• Financial management: budgets, forecasts, sales analysis, and labor optimization.
• Team development: hire, mentor, and inspire a culinary team to maintain high standards.
• Operational oversight: ensure a safe, sanitary environment and optimize back-of-house workflows.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Communication skills

Financial acumen

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Culinary degree

Wine certification

Tools

Microsoft 365

Aloha POS

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Chef for our upscale full-service restaurant. Located in a small town an hour outside of Fort Wayne, IN, the restaurant's future depends on a visionary leader who can build a legacy from the inside out. This isn't a role for someone looking to maintain the status quo or work through corporate templates; it’s a mission to recognize the untapped potential, improve food consistency, elevate our guest experience, and foster a healthy workplace culture. If you have the grit to refine our systems and the heart to inspire a team, we invite you to take control and help solidify our restaurant at the top of our community’s culinary scene.

Executive Chef Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Execute a culinary strategy focused on upscale food presentation, guest satisfaction, profitability, and operational excellence.
• Financial Management: Manage annual budgets, long-term forecasts, and provide regular analysis of sales, labor efficiency, and cost controls.
• Team Development: Hire, mentor, and inspire a culinary team to improve consistency and maintain high presentation standards.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure a safe, compliant, and sanitary environment while optimizing workflows for back-of-house.

Executive Chef Qualifications:

• Experience: 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in a full-service upscale casual or fine dining restaurant.
• Education: Culinary degree and a wine certification is preferred.
• Expertise: Proven track record in financial acumen, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional communication and conflict resolution skills with the ability to build consensus across cross-functional teams.
• Tech Savvy: Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Aloha POS system is preferred.

Compensation:

• Annual Base Salary: $70,000 - $90,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Bonus: 10% annual bonus potential paid annually