EXECUTIVE CHEF - Airport Community Schools, Carleton, MI

Chartwells School Dining Services K12; Carleton (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

PTO

401K

Job summary

Airport Community Schools in Carleton, MI is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef II to lead culinary operations for approximately 2,800 students across eight school buildings, reporting to the Director of Dining Services. This role oversees menu development, food quality, staff training, and daily kitchen operations while assisting to lead a team of approximately 30 frontline associates.

Partnering with district leadership, the Executive Chef will drive student participation and satisfaction, and

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in culinary arts or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, with catering experience preferred.
• Proven success in high-volume, institutional and batch cooking with focus on quality, cost control, and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards, ensuring adherence to portioning and presentation guidelines.
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols, promoting a culture of excellence.
• Establishes and maintains thorough cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
• Handles inventory of food and supplies, optimizing utilization while ensuring vital products are readily available.
• Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations through meticulous adherence to department procedures and participation in audits.
• Actively participates in departmental meetings, staff development initiatives, and professional programs to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Kitchen management

High-volume cooking

Menu development

Food safety

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Chartwells K12

Position Title: EXECUTIVE CHEF II - Airport Community Schools, Carleton, MI

Reports To: Director of Dining Services

Salary: $60,000 - $68,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Medical, dental & vision insurance, PTO, 401K

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email [e-mail].

Job Summary

Airport Community Schools in Carleton, MI is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef to lead culinary operations serving approximately 2,800 students across eight school buildings. Reporting to the Director of Dining Services, this role oversees menu development, food quality, staff training, and daily kitchen operations while assisting to lead and train a team of approximately 30 frontline associates. Partnering closely with district and Chartwells leadership, the Executive Chef will help create fresh, engaging dining experiences that drive student participation and satisfaction. In addition to daily operations, the Executive Chef will oversee catering and special events, support menu innovation, train and develop staff, and help bring Chartwells signature programs such as Mood Boost, Global Eats, Student Choice, Discovery Kitchen, and Nutrition "Game On" to life. The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader who enjoys coaching teams, elevating food quality, and creating memorable dining experiences in a K-12 environment that offers excellent work-life balance with a predominantly Monday through Friday schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards, ensuring adherence to portioning and presentation guidelines.
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols, promoting a culture of excellence.
• Establishes and maintains thorough cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
• Handles inventory of food and supplies, optimizing utilization while ensuring vital products are readily available.
• Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations through meticulous adherence to department procedures and participation in audits.
• Actively participates in departmental meetings, staff development initiatives, and professional programs to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree highly desired or equivalent experience in culinary arts.
• 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, with catering experience preferred.
• Proven success in high-volume, complex foodservice operations, with a solid base in institutional and batch cooking.
• Hands-on chef experience is critical, accompanied by extensive knowledge of food trends, emphasizing quality, production, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office suite and email systems.
• Willingness to actively engage in client satisfaction programs and activities.
• ServSafe certification is highly desirable, highlighting a commitment to food safety.

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

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