Executive Chef

Creative Dining Services; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Daily Pay Options

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company | 

Job summary

Creative Dining Services is seeking an energetic Executive Chef to lead the culinary program at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. You will drive food quality, menu development, and a high-performing kitchen team while delivering outstanding dining experiences for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of culinary leadership and a Culinary Arts degree, with ServSafe certification and experience in catering and high-volume service.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional culinary experience preferred.
• Culinary Arts degree preferred.
• ServSafe certification.
• Catering and high-volume foodservice experience.
• Experience with menu development and recipe standardization.
• American Culinary Federation membership preferred.
• CaterTrax experience is a plus, but not required.
• Higher education or college/university dining experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operation while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, safety, nutrition, and financial performance.
• Hire, train, schedule, coach, and develop culinary team members.
• Oversee daily culinary production and ensure menus meet quality standards.
• Contribute to menu development, special events, catering, and new culinary concepts.
• Coordinate culinary activities across the dining operation for smooth execution.
• Manage food purchases, inventory, and food costs.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Team development

Education

Culinary Arts degree

ServSafe certification

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Executive Chef

Northwood University, Midland, MI, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 6899

Salary Range: $70,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

Executive Chef

Northwood University | Midland, MI

Creative Dining Services

Be Creative… with Creative Dining Services!

Are you a passionate culinary leader who loves creating exceptional food, developing talented teams, and bringing people together through great dining experiences?

Creative Dining Services is looking for an energetic and experienced Executive Chef to join our team at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan!

As the Executive Chef, you’ll be more than the leader of the kitchen—you’ll be theculinary driving force behind the dining program, helping create memorable experiences for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

What You’ll Do

As our Executive Chef, you will lead the culinary operation while maintaining the highest standards offood quality, presentation, safety, nutrition, and financial performance.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead & Inspire: Hire, train, schedule, coach, and develop culinary team members while building a positive, high-performing kitchen culture.
• Create Amazing Food: Oversee daily culinary production and ensure menus and recipes consistently meet Creative Dining Services’ quality standards.
• Bring Your Creativity: Contribute to menu development, special events, catering, and new culinary concepts.
• Own the Operation: Coordinate culinary activities across the dining operation and ensure smooth, efficient execution.
• Manage the Business: Make food purchases, control inventory, manage food costs, and operate the kitchen in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Set the Standard: Establish and maintain food quality and production standards throughout the operation.
• Collaborate: Work closely with the Dining Services management team, campus partners, Food Committee, students, and guests to continually improve the dining experience.
• Develop Your Team: Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities that help team members grow professionally.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a culinary professional who combinesstrong technical skills with great leadership and a passion for hospitality.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Culinary Arts degree preferred
• 5+ years of professional culinary experience preferred
• Previous culinary management experience preferred
• ServSafe certification
• Catering and high-volume foodservice experience
• Experience with menu development and recipe standardization
• Higher education or college/university dining experience is a plus
• American Culinary Federation membership preferred
• CaterTrax experience is a plus, butnot required
• A passion for developing people and creating exceptional dining experiences

Why You’ll Love Working at Creative Dining Services

At Creative Dining Services, we believe great hospitality starts with taking care of our people.

That’s why we offer acompetitive compensation and benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home.

Our Benefits Include:

• Competitive Pay
• Daily Pay Options – Access your earned wages when you need them
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Training & Professional Development
• Employee Support & Wellness Benefits
• And much, much more!

Why Creative Dining Services?

Creative Dining Services is different becausewe believe hospitality should be personal, innovative, and fun.

We partner withcolleges and universities, Fortune 100 companies, senior living communities, conference centers, K-12 schools, and camps to create dining and hospitality experiences that bring people together.

When you join Creative Dining Services, you’re joining a team that valuescreativity, collaboration, leadership, and community.

At Northwood University, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day—through the food you create, the team you lead, and the experiences you provide.

Ready to Bring Your Culinary Creativity to Campus?

Be Creative. Be a Leader. Be Part of Creative Dining Services.

Creative Dining Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.