Executive Chef 1

Sodexo; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo seeks an Executive Chef 1 at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, KY. You’ll lead culinary operations, drive food quality, and mentor a team delivering outstanding patient dining experiences.

You’ll manage menus, safety, budgets, and regulatory compliance in a healthcare setting, inspiring staff and partnering with clinical teams to support patient well-being.

Qualifications

• Proven culinary leadership experience in healthcare or institutional dining.
• Strong knowledge of food production, menu planning, and safety standards.
• Ability to manage food and labor costs and budgets.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service in patient care.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary operations and uphold high standards for quality and patient satisfaction.
• Coach, train, schedule, and appraise kitchen staff to build a strong team.
• Oversee menu execution, production, inventory, and cost controls.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and healthcare regulations.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Healthcare dining

Financial acumen

Customer service

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Role Overview

At Sodexo, we believe that exceptional patient care starts with exceptional food and hospitality. We are seeking anExecutive Chef 1 to join our team atCardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. In this leadership role, you will oversee culinary operations, drive food quality and innovation, and lead a team dedicated to delivering an outstanding dining experience for patients, visitors, and staff. The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader who thrives in a healthcare environment and is passionate about food, safety, and team development.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily culinary operations, ensuring high standards for food quality, presentation, patient satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and develop kitchen staff through coaching, training, scheduling, and performance management to build a strong, engaged team.
• Oversee menu execution, food production, inventory management, and cost controls to drive operational excellence and financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and healthcare regulations while fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

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

• Proven culinary leadership experience with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop diverse teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of food production, menu planning, food safety standards, and healthcare or institutional dining operations.
• Financial acumen with experience managing food and labor costs, inventory controls, and operational budgets.
• A passion for delivering exceptional customer service and creating memorable dining experiences that support patient well-being and satisfaction.

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.