Executive Chef

dnata; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

dnata is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the Houston kitchen team at IAH airport. The role involves overseeing culinary operations, managing a team, ensuring high-quality meal preparation, and developing innovative menus tailored for airline passengers. This position promises significant contributions towards culinary excellence and operational efficiency within the dnata catering team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years leading a kitchen in high-end establishments.
• 5 years in high-volume food production and airline catering experience.
• Experience working in Michelin starred restaurants.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing culinary operations and managing kitchen staff.
• Developing innovative and diverse menus for airline passengers.
• Maintaining food quality, safety, and hygiene standards.

Skills

Culinary expertise in International Cuisine

Excellent inter-personal skills

Expert culinary skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

Associate degree (A.A.)

Ten (10) plus years of culinary experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Overview

We recruit the best talent and invest in their ongoing development, through training and mentoring. We provide opportunities to work across our national network. dnata catering U.S. is looking for a

Overview

We recruit the best talent and invest in their ongoing development, through training and mentoring. We provide opportunities to work across our national network. dnata catering U.S. is looking for a Executive Chef to join our Houston location team supporting the IAH airport .

Key Responsibilities a s an Executive Chef for dnata Catering, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the culinary operations and ensuring the delivery of exceptional food experiences to airline passengers. Your primary responsibility will be to lead and manage a team of chefs, cooks, and kitchen staff in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of high-quality meals. You will collaborate closely with the company's culinary team to develop innovative and diverse menus that cater to the specific dietary requirements and preferences of airline passengers. Additionally, you will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and hygiene, adhering strictly to industry regulations. Your expertise in menu planning, recipe development, and culinary techniques will be instrumental in creating memorable dining experiences for passengers while also optimizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You will also oversee inventory management, supplier relationships, and budgeting to ensure smooth operations and profitability. With your strong leadership skills, creativity, and passion for culinary excellence, you will contribute significantly to the success and reputation of dnata Catering.

dnata is one of the world’s largest air services providers. Established in 1959, the company ensures the aviation industry operates smoothly and efficiently in 127 airports. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services in 35 countries across six continents, dnata is a trusted partner for over 300 airline customers around the world. Each day, the company handles over 1,900 flights, moves over 8,500 tons of cargo, books over 16,000 hotel stays, and uplifts over 320,000 meals.

Accepting applications until: 7/13/25

You Will

• Development of Standard Operating Procedures
• Increase productivity.
• Labor cost control
• Control overproduction, produce to exact order numbers.
• Fulfill internal supply chain to dish out, cold food assembly, tray set up
• Comply with food ready times (FRT)
• Comply with exact quantities (order numbers)
• Internal department communication, shift meetings, group meetings
• Make research of formula, processing procedure, layout of new food products based on oriented purposes from R&D Manager
• Do the food modality and testing.
• Collaborate with Purchasing Department to ensure all required materials are sourced and in house to meet production needs.
• Ensure that receiving department is consistently fulfilling requisition orders.
• Standardizing productive standard portfolio including way to preserving, food hygiene.
• Collaborate with Operations to follow project and time to launch new concept.
• Conduct training, coaching, on the job training for staff so that they can handle job tasks.
  
  

Nonessential functions:

• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

This salary range and is influenced by the level of experience. When calculating the base pay, we take into account various factors such as location, qualifications, training, and experience as part of the overall compensation package.

You Have

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree Preferred; Associate degree (A.A.) or a minimum of Ten (10) plus years of culinary experience leading a kitchen in high-end establishments.

• Expert culinary skills
• Multi-lingual
• Worked in Michelin starred restaurant(s) or in highly reputable institutions.
• Has a wide knowledge of raw materials (foods) that exist throughout the world
• Knowledge of startups and creating a balanced new Menu
• Experience with creating exquisite Culinary Art (Taste, Creativity and Plating)
• Ability to interact with clients.
• Candidate should have at least 5 years of experience in high volume Food Production and prior Airline Catering experience.
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Prior experience working within a MEDINA Quality Food Assurance kitchen.
• Ability to communicate with customers both internally and externally.
• Culinary expertise in International Cuisine.
• Experienced and knowledge of Process Improvements and lean manufacturing.
• Computer competent with Microsoft Office
• Valid food handler's certificate or equivalent.
  
  

Intellectual/Social demands:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is continuously asked to multi-task under time limits. Position requires constant attention to precise details and accuracy of specified standards including following simple to complex (more than 3 steps) instructions, and concentration which frequently extends beyond 30 minutes at a time. This position also requires constant attendance and punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time. Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 30 pounds. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Use equipment and materials properly.

Work environment:

The essential functions of this position are performed indoors. The noise level in the work environment can range from minimal to loud.

dnata’s Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:

There are two aspects to working as effectively as we can: our people and our results. Our eight competencies are designed to help you focus on these aspects:

Delivering:

Does what they say they will. And they balance the needs of our customers' needs with our business's needs.

Drive

Always gets the job done. And still put the needs of our business first.

Open to opportunity:

Adapts when plans change. Is open to new ideas. Makes suggestions that will help shape our culture.

Business thinking:

Understand our business. Uses this understanding in their day-to-day work and plans for the future.

Collaborate:

Look for solutions that work for themselves, their team, and the whole organization.

Engaging others:

Acts in a way that gets others on board – and when things don’t go to plan, they deal with conflict in the right way.

Provide direction:

Share plans with others. Tracks how each project is progressing. Gives constructive feedback during, and after, each project.

Developing talent:

Self-aware. Always learning. Always developing. And always helping others to develop, too.

Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position:

Employees at dnata are expected to live our Values of Safety and Security, performance-driven, Service Excellence, Delighting Customers, Imagination, and respect. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone:

• We put safety and security first in all our actions.
• We will set challenging goals and meet them.
• We deliver to a consistently high quality.
• We take ownership and responsibility of a situation until it is resolved.
• We are not afraid of failure and learn through our mistakes.
• We respect each other regardless of background.
  
  

Diversity Matters

We believe that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to creating a strong workplace and community. At dnata, we’re proud that our workforce is as diverse as the customers we serve. And we’re committed to nurturing your talent with mentoring, volunteer, and professional development opportunities. We welcome everyone. Our employee resource groups are one of the many ways we champion diversity and inclusion at dnata.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Airlines and Aviation

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