Executive Chef

Wish You Were Here Group; Mundelein (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Wish You Were Here Group is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead operations within a commissary kitchen supporting multiple locations. This role suits a systems-driven culinary leader who can standardize processes, optimize organization, and drive efficient, high-volume production while maintaining top quality.

You will develop standardized recipes, SOPs, inventory controls, and training programs; monitor food costs, labor, and yields; ensure strict food-safety practices; and partner

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in commissary or multi-unit operations.
• Experience building and implementing standardized systems and procedures.
• Strong organizational, planning, and production-management skills.
• Experience managing inventory, food costs, labor, and food safety compliance.
• Hands-on leader who balances high standards with high-volume production.
• Excellent communication and ability to create structure, accountability, and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily commissary operations, production schedules, and food preparation across multiple locations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized recipes, SOPs, production systems, and quality-control procedures.
• Establish clear systems for inventory, ordering, storage, labeling, food safety, and waste management.
• Create efficient workflows to ensure consistent product quality, accurate portioning, and timely distribution.
• Lead, train, and develop the culinary team, establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Monitor food costs, labor, yields, and production efficiency, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with restaurant and operations leadership to forecast production needs and continuously improve processes.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Standardized systems

Inventory management

Food cost control

Staff training

Food safety compliance

Operational efficiency

Communication skills

Job description

Job Description

We’re seeking an experienced, highly organized Executive Chef to lead operations within a commissary kitchen supporting multiple locations. This role is ideal for a systems-driven culinary leader who combines strong culinary knowledge with a focus on standardization, organization, efficiency, and operational consistency.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily commissary operations, production schedules, and food preparation across multiple locations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized recipes, SOPs, production systems, and quality-control procedures.
• Establish clear systems for inventory, ordering, storage, labeling, food safety, and waste management.
• Create efficient workflows to ensure consistent product quality, accurate portioning, and timely distribution.
• Lead, train, and develop the culinary team, establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Monitor food costs, labor, yields, and production efficiency, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with restaurant and operations leadership to forecast production needs and continuously improve processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience, ideally in a commissary, central production kitchen, catering operation, or multi-unit restaurant group.
• Proven ability to build and implement systems, procedures, and standardized processes.
• Strong organizational, planning, and production-management skills.
• Experience managing inventory, food costs, labor, and food safety compliance.
• A hands-on leader who can balance high standards with efficient, high-volume production.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to create structure, consistency, and accountability.

The Ideal Candidate

A detail-oriented, process-driven culinary leader who understands that a successful commissary operation relies on more than great food. They bring structure to complex operations, create repeatable systems, and build a team capable of delivering consistent quality at scale.

Wish You Were Here Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.