Executive Chef 1

Sodexo; East Rutherford (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company is seeking an Executive Chef for their East Rutherford, NJ location. You will oversee a team, manage culinary operations, and ensure quality service. The ideal candidate will have an Associate's degree, strong culinary skills, and experience in managing high-volume catering events. You will lead menu innovation and mentor staff while fostering a creative and efficient kitchen environment. Comprehensive benefits and career growth opportunities are included.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Care

401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions

Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

Career Growth Opportunities

Tuition Reimbursement

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of management experience in kitchen operations.
• 1 year of experience in food or culinary services.
• Strong culinary background with knowledge of current trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary team and provide directional support.
• Develop scratch-cooked menus meeting food cost targets.
• Execute conference and catering events with precision.
• Create sustainable and health-focused menus.
• Mentor kitchen staff to ensure high cooking standards.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Leadership skills

Financial acumen

Creativity in menu design

Coaching and mentoring

Education

Associate's Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Role Overview

As anExecutive ChefwithSodexo, you'll bring precision, passion, and leadership to a high-profile Corporate Services account inEast Rutherford, NJ. In this role, you’ll oversee a skilled team of 4 unionized hourly employees, driving excellence in food service operations. Your culinary expertise, business savvy, and flair for delivering exceptional culinary and catering experiences will be key to our continued success. We’re looking for a passionate, hands-on chef with solid financial acumen and a proven track record in large-scale operations. You’ll oversee menu innovation, quality control, and client satisfaction—while advancing your career in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values creativity, operational excellence, and strong team leadership!

SodexoMagic

SodexoMagic is the joint venture partnership between NBA Hall of Famer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Sodexo. As a certified minority company, we deliver food, facilities management and integrated services to corporations, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, colleges and universities and aviation lounges. This strategic alliance between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, Inc., enables us to deliver creative solutions to our clients along with our local partners throughout the communities we serve.

Incentives

This position offers free on-site parking!

What You'll Do

• Lead a high-level culinary team, providing both direction and hands-on support.
• Develop and execute scratch-cooked menus that meet contract requirements and food cost targets.
• Lead and execute conference and catering events with precision and attention to detail
• Bring artistic culinary flair to impress our clients, while driving innovation and creativity in the kitchen.
• Create sustainable, health-focused menus that align with current dietary trends and client preferences.
• Mentor and inspire kitchen staff, elevating their skills and ensuring high standards of quality, presentation, and food safety

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• An Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience managing kitchen operations and high volume catering events.
• Have a strong culinary background and stay current with new culinary trends.
• Possess excellent leadership and communication skills, maintaining high culinary standards.
• Demonstrate strong coaching and employee development skills.
• Thrive in a dynamic environment, driving creativity and excellence in the kitchen.

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 2 years Minimum Functional Experience – 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.