Executive Chef - Cruise Ship

Navis Consulting; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Navis Consulting seeks an Executive Chef to lead all shipboard culinary operations, delivering exceptional food quality and guest satisfaction while maintaining financial performance. You will oversee galley operations, ensure safety and sanitation, plan staffing and training, and develop a large multicultural culinary team.

The role requires minimum 5 years as an Executive Chef in luxury settings; cruise experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an Executive Chef leading teams of 30+ in luxury settings; cruise experience preferred.
• Culinary school degree required.
• Strong leadership and management in a multicultural, high-volume environment.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to deliver exceptional guest service and satisfaction.
• Strong knowledge of culinary operations, business planning and financial targets.
• Experience developing teams, enhancing engagement, and managing performance.
• Computer proficiency including Word and Excel and related systems.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee galley operations, ensuring culinary, safety, sanitation, and brand standards.
• Monitor food quality through inspections, tastings, and hands-on leadership.
• Plan and manage schedules, requisitions, production, staffing, and training.
• Maintain cleanliness, equipment, food availability, and public health compliance.
• Manage food costs and drive operational efficiencies to meet financial targets.
• Engage with guests, resolve complaints, and represent the cruise culinary experience.
• Lead, coach, train and develop a large multicultural culinary team.
• Foster a positive, respectful team culture through effective communication.
• Identify and develop talent, provide performance feedback, and support career progression.

Skills

Leadership

Guest satisfaction

Team development

Financial targets

Communication

Problem-solving

Decision-making

People skills

Multicultural environment

Staff training

Education

Culinary school degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

The Executive Chef leads all shipboard culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, guest satisfaction, financial performance, crew development, and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all galley operations, ensuring consistent culinary, safety, sanitation, and brand standards.
• Monitor food quality through inspections, tastings, and hands-on operational leadership.
• Plan and manage schedules, food requisitions, production, staffing, training, and departmental activities.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, equipment maintenance, food availability, and public health compliance.
• Manage food costs and implement operational efficiencies to achieve financial targets.
• Engage with guests, resolve complaints, and act as an ambassador for the Cruises culinary experience.
• Lead, coach, train, and develop a large multicultural culinary team.
• Build a positive, respectful, and accountable team culture through effective communication and leadership.
• Identify and develop talent, provide performance feedback, and support career progression.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an Executive Chef leading teams of 30+ in a luxury hotel, resort, cruise ship, or large-scale banquet operation; cruise experience preferred.
• Culinary school degree required.
• Strong leadership and management skills in a multicultural, high-volume environment.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and people skills.
• Proven ability to deliver exceptional personalized service and guest satisfaction.
• Strong knowledge of culinary operations, business planning, resource management, workforce planning, and financial targets.
• Experience developing teams, improving employee engagement, and managing performance.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and related systems.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.

Language & Physical Requirements

• Must be able to participate in emergency procedures and drills and lift/move up to 50 lbs.
• Role requires prolonged periods of standing and walking, frequent movement, and extensive travel.