Executive Chef

Restaurant Associates; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/AD&D

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates in San Jose is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision for a new account, overseeing café operations, executive dining, catering, retail food services, and pantry programs.

You will develop seasonal menus, mentor a diverse team, and drive excellence in food and service while partnering with operations and marketing to deliver exceptional guest experiences. This role demands leadership, collaboration, and a passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

• Experience leading culinary operations in high-volume environments.
• Culinary degree or equivalent education/experience.
• Knowledge of menu development, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Experience managing food and labor budgets and cost-control strategies.
• Ability to collaborate with clients, guests, and teams.
• Commitment to food safety, sanitation, and operational excellence.
• Three+ years of culinary leadership experience.
• ServSafe Certification or similar credential preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across café, dining, catering, retail, and pantry.
• Develop seasonal menus delivering quality, creativity, and guest satisfaction.
• Partner with operations and marketing to roll out new culinary programs.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and support diverse culinary staff.
• Manage food and labor costs while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and workplace safety standards.
• Support catering events with hospitality and presentation.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Budget management

Team mentoring

Guest hospitality

Culinary operations

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Salary: $120,000 - $125,000

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Executive Chef

Salary: $120,000 - $125,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Annual Performance Bonus Opportunity (Up to 20% of Base Salary)

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary

Restaurant Associates is excited to launch a new account in San Jose and is seeking an experienced and creative Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision for this dynamic account. This location includes café operations, executive dining, catering, retail food services, and pantry programs, offering a unique opportunity to shape the guest experience across multiple service channels.

As Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary operations, inspire and develop a team of culinary professionals, and help create a welcoming dining experience that reflects quality, innovation, and hospitality. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys building programs, collaborating across teams, and driving excellence in both food and service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all culinary operations across café, executive dining, catering, retail, and pantry services
• Develop and execute seasonal menus that deliver exceptional quality, creativity, and guest satisfaction
• Partner with operational and marketing teams to introduce new culinary programs and dining experiences
• Recruit, train, mentor, and support a diverse team of culinary associates
• Manage food and labor costs while maintaining high standards for quality and service
• Oversee purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Support catering events and executive-level dining experiences with a focus on hospitality and presentation
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and team-oriented culture

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading culinary operations in a high-volume foodservice, hospitality, corporate dining, restaurant, or catering environment
• Passion for creating exceptional food experiences and delivering outstanding hospitality
• Knowledge of menu development, food production, purchasing, and inventory management
• Experience managing food and labor budgets and implementing cost-control strategies
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with clients, guests, and team members
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to food safety, sanitation, and operational excellence
• Interest in mentoring, developing, and supporting team growth
• Culinary degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Three or more years of culinary leadership experience
• Experience supporting catering programs and special events
• Background managing multiple service platforms, including cafés, executive dining, retail operations, or pantry services
• ServSafe Certification or similar food safety credential preferred

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• 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
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf