Executive Chef - DePauw University

Compass Group Canada; Greencastle (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading food service company as an Executive Chef at DePauw University. Oversee culinary operations for a large account, focusing on quality food service, team management, and innovative menu planning. Ideal candidates possess extensive culinary expertise and the drive to maintain high standards in food safety and presentation.

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience.
• Hands-on chef experience with strong catering skills.
• Deep knowledge of food trends and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Direct kitchen operations and ensure food quality standards.
• Manage inventory and food cost controls within budget.
• Lead training for kitchen staff on safety and production methods.

Skills

Culinary Management

Food Safety

Inventory Management

Team Leadership

Menu Planning

Quality Control

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 / year

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

As Executive Chef at DePauw University, you will oversee culinary operations for a $7M account with 7 cost centers, supporting 1,200–1,300 students on meal plans and $300K in annual catering. You’ll lead kitchen operations, drive food quality and safety, and manage a team in alignment with corporate standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct all kitchen operations, menu planning, food preparation, and meal execution using standardized recipes and portioning guidelines.

• Ensure food quality, presentation, safety, and sanitation meet company, client, and regulatory standards through regular audits and daily inspections.

• Manage inventory, purchasing, and food cost controls, ensuring product availability while staying within budget.

• Lead, train, and develop kitchen staff on food safety, equipment handling, production methods, and sanitation best practices.

• Establish cleaning and maintenance schedules for all kitchen equipment and work areas, ensuring team adherence.

• Optimize the use of leftovers and control waste within company guidelines.

• Participate in staff meetings, development programs, and client satisfaction initiatives.

• Uphold all facility, departmental, and company safety policies, including incident reporting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience.

• 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience; high-volume, multi-unit, or institutional dining highly preferred.

• Hands-on chef experience with strong catering and batch cooking expertise.

• Deep knowledge of food and catering trends, food cost management, sanitation, and quality control.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and Internet applications.

• ServSafe certification preferred.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit 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

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 for paid time off benefits information.

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:1420030

Bon Appetit

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