Executive Chef

United Community & Family Services, Inc.; Missouri; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking an Executive Chef to lead a premier, multi-unit dining program on a college campus. You will oversee a diverse portfolio serving 500+ diners daily across residential dining halls, catering, and retail venues.

The role demands culinary excellence, sustainability focus, and integration of dining technology. Strong leadership and a track record of low turnover and high morale are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in high-volume corporate or hospitality dining.
• ServSafe Manager and HACCP certifications preferred.
• Degree from an accredited culinary program or equivalent on-the-job experience.
• Multi-unit leadership in a high-volume premium food service environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations across residential dining hall and a high-volume catering department.
• Design seasonal menus and menu cycles.
• Mentor a diverse team of 5–7 associates and a sous chef.
• Oversee P&L management, food/labor costs, and inventory auditing.
• Oversee workplace and food safety standards, including allergen management.
• Lead campus-wide culinary innovation and strategy, including seasonal planning.
• Foster diversity and inclusion and engage associates for a high-performing workforce.
• Assist with talent development and leadership pipeline for the region.
• Ensure quality and guest experience at scale reflecting program values.
• Manage client relations, purchasing, and dining technology.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Multi-unit leadership

P&L management

Staff mentoring

Food safety

Allergen management

Google Suite

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

POS systems

Reporting platforms

Google Suite

Job description

Upper Crust Food Service isn’tjust looking for an Executive Chef; we’re looking for a culinary architectto lead a premier, multi-unit dining program.This role is designed for a visionary leader who can balance the complexities of high-volume residential dining with the high stakes environment of collegiate athletics and large-scale catering. You will oversee a comprehensive portfolio for a campus community of over500+daily diners.Focused on culinary excellence, sustainability, and technology integration,ourprogram delivers full-service cafés, catering, and retail designed to enhance thecampus life culture.

What You’ll Do

• Orchestrate Excellence:Direct daily operations acrossaresidential dining halland a high-volume catering department.
• Innovate the Menu:Design seasonal, menucycles
• Lead with Heart:Mentor a diverse team of5-7associates and1souschef. We value a culture of "continuous growth" and are looking for a leader who can maintain our record of low turnover and high morale.
• Master the Financials:Take the reins of P& L management, food/labor cost control, and inventoryauditing. You’ll use tools to ensure we stay lean, green, and nutritionally transparent.
• Multi-Unit Safety & Compliance: Systematically oversee workplace and food safety standards across the zone, including meticulous allergen management and regional regulatory compliance.
• Culinary Innovation & Strategy: Lead and support campus-wide initiatives, including seasonal menu planning, recipe development, and the integration of diverse culinary trends.
• Associate Engagement: Drive a culture of diversity and inclusion, proactively engaging with associates to build a representative and high-performing workforce.
• Talent Development: Strategically assist with talent identification, training, and the development of a leadership pipeline for the region.
• Quality & Experience: Oversee food quality standards and the guest experience at scale, ensuringthat every unit reflects the program’s core values.
• Financial Stewardship: Provide sophisticated financial management to deliver on budgetary expectations for food, labor, and operational expenses across the multi-unit portfolio.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience, specifically driving excellence in premier high-volume corporateor hospitalityenvironments.
• Notintimidatedby serving500+ meals a day or executing a commencement gala for1,200
• ServsafeManagersand HACCP certified, with a reputation for maintaining "Gold Standard" health ratings.
• Education: Degree from an accredited culinary institutionor equivalent experience on the ground.
• Multi-Unit Leadership: A minimum of5years of multi-unit culinary supervisory experience within a high-volume, premium food service environment.
• Safety & Cultural Vision: Proven track record of driving and enhancing a robust culture focused on Food and Workplace Safety at a leadership level.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage complex multi-unit budgets, utilize advanced reporting platforms, and consistently meet financial goals.
• Communication: Ability to coach and teach individuals and large teams, while effectively communicating with high-level stakeholders.
• Operational Alignment: Passion for exceptional food, sustainability, and hospitality.
• Technical Proficiency: Technical skills, including a working knowledge of Google Suite tools (Sheets, Docs, Slides).
• Certifications:ServSafeManager Certification is preferred.
• Must be a trained Chef with experience in high volume caterings leading staff of 20+; must have experience with P&Ls, ordering, mentoring front and back of the house staff, client relations, POS systems, dining/hospitaly technology.

Why Join Upper Crust Food Service?

We offer a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive benefits. Ready to lead the next era of campus dining?

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

Upper Crust Food Service provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.