Executive Chef

Aramark Corporation; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Aramark at Old Dominion University is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations on a busy campus, delivering innovation and exceptional dining experiences for thousands daily.

You will manage a team of chef managers and kitchen staff, drive menu evolution, uphold quality and safety standards, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across the campus dining program in Norfolk, VA.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience.
• At least 2 years in a management role preferred.
• Expertise in large-scale batch cooking, production management, and labor optimization.
• Previous experience in college and university dining programs, destination resorts, convention centers, stadiums, arenas, or major event venues strongly preferred.
• Ability to consistently deliver exceptional food quality while managing high-volume service demands.
• Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to simplify the agenda for the team.
• Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession.
• This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.
• Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework.
• Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards.
• Manages a culinary team, including chef managers and hourly staff, to ensure quality in final presentation of food.
• Train and manage culinary and kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques.
• Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved.
• Reward and recognize employees.
• Plan and execute team meetings and daily huddles.
• Complete and maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data.
• Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships.
• Interact directly with guests daily.
• Aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends.
• Responsible for delivering food and labor targets.
• Consistent focus on margin improvement; understanding performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends.
• Ensure efficient execution and delivery of all culinary products in line with the daily menu.
• Maintain integrity of the standard Aramark food offer; responsible for always maintaining food quality and safety of items.
• Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards.
• Understand end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensuring only authorized suppliers are used.
• Full knowledge and implementation of the Food Framework.
• Ensure accuracy of estimated food consumption for appropriate requisitions and/or food purchase.
• Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations.
• Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team management

High-volume service

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Labor optimization

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Join our team at Old Dominion University, where you'll have the opportunity to shape an innovative dining experience for a vibrant and diverse campus community. We are seeking a passionate and forward-thinking Executive Chef who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is excited to lead culinary excellence while mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

As the Executive Chef, you will provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations, overseeing a team of Chef Managers and culinary professionals responsible for serving thousands of students, faculty, staff, and guests each day. You will drive menu innovation, elevate the guest experience, and foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.

Compensation Data

COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $60,000.00 to $108,500.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.

BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation

There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
• Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards
• Manages a culinary team, including chef managers and hourly staff, to ensure quality in final presentation of food
• Train and manage culinary and kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques
• Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved
• Reward and recognize employees
• Plan and execute team meetings and daily huddles
• Complete and maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data
• Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
• Interact directly with guests daily
• Aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends
• Responsible for delivering food and labor targets
• Consistent focus on margin improvement; understanding performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends
• Ensure efficient execution and delivery of all culinary products in line with the daily menu
• Maintain integrity of the standard Aramark food offer; responsible for always maintaining food quality and safety of items
• Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards
• Understand end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensuring only authorized suppliers are used
• Full knowledge and implementation of the Food Framework
• Ensure accuracy of estimated food consumption for appropriate requisitions and/or food purchase
• Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance
• Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations
• Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience
• At least 2 years in a management role preferred
• Expertise in large-scale batch cooking, production management, and labor optimization.
• Previous experience in college and university dining programs, destination resorts, convention centers, stadiums, arenas, or major event venues strongly preferred.
• Ability to consistently deliver exceptional food quality while managing high-volume service demands.
• Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to simplify the agenda for the team
• Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession.
• This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.
• Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.