Executive Chef | Full-Time | Santander Arena

Spectra; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 98,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the live event industry is seeking an Executive Chef to manage the culinary team at Santander Arena in Reading, PA. This key position involves overseeing daily kitchen operations, ensuring guest satisfaction, and maintaining high culinary standards. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of kitchen management experience and strong leadership skills. The role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) savings plan

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years kitchen management experience in a full service restaurant or events venue.
• Demonstrated track record of meeting projected costs.
• Ability to positively interact with diverse personalities.

Responsibilities

• Manage, develop and mentor a staff of 35 culinary employees.
• Ensure budgeted food percentages are achieved through effective control measures.
• Promote a positive, enthusiastic and cooperative workplace environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Food Handler’s card

Certification in a nationally recognized sanitation program

Job description

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Executive Chef has the primary duty of managing the culinary team, a recognized department of venue’s F&B operation. The Executive Chef will actively supervisor, coach, counsel, direct, train and mentor employees in meeting company qualify standards, and will independently initiate and authorize all employment actions such as hiring, termination, suspension, discipline, promotion and transfer. The Executive Chef will actively and independently manage all aspects of employee relations to ensure a positive, harmonious, compliant and cooperative work environment.

The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing the direction of the kitchen’s daily activities in accordance with Spectra policies and objectives to ensure guest satisfaction, profitability and a positive, productive and compliant work environment. The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary team including event planning support, scheduling, food preparation and production, food cost control, compliance with food safety and sanitation policies, cleaning, kitchen safety, employee training and supervision, and any other tasks assigned by the F&B Director. The Executive Chef must provide a high level of oversight, culinary proficiency and operational/personnel support to ensure the smooth running of all food outlets and events.

This is a key position for the effective and profitable operation of the business. The Executive Chef must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule which to evenings and weekends. Open availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills and self-direction required.

This role will pay an annual salary of $98,000-$108,000.

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until July 31, 2025.

About the Venue

Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania, is a versatile venue that serves as the home arena for the Reading Royals, the ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Santander Arena has hosted an array of live events including concerts, Disney on Ice, and other family friendly events attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing, developing and mentoring staff of 35 full-time and part time culinary employees, including initiating employment actions such as hiring, firing, and disciplining.

• Ensures event staff are aware of workplace expectations; provide on-going assistance, training and mentoring to event staff; promote a positive, enthusiastic and cooperative workplace environment by working side-by-side with staff; reinforce procedures and practices through repetition; lead by example and provide on-going constructive feedback.

• Responsible for ensuring that budgeted food percentages are achieved through effective control measures including portion controls, kitchen timings, food inventory rotation measures, receiving and food storage procedures, inventory controls, effective purchasing procedures, kitchen security procedures and waste control.

• Controls labor costs through effective scheduling of kitchen staff, cross-training and development of employees; responsible for monitoring breaks and break documentation for kitchen staff and the daily approval of break documentation.

• Ensures that the purchasing and preparation of all food products meet Spectra’ standards of quality and consistency. Responsible for the development of menus, ensuring quality, consistency and style of concept are maintained. Monitors production of food preparation ensuring recipe specifications, portion controls and kitchen timings are met. Monitors all food served relative to appearance, temperature, sanitary and quality standards.

• Supervises all line set-up, prep and breakdown activities.
• Responsible for in-service delegation of tasks to line personnel.

• Coordinates the storage, maintenance and repair of all kitchen equipment to ensure operational readiness.

• Coordinates the delivery and set-up of catered services and food service areas as needed.

• Arranges and manages kitchen staff skills training and development, including departmental orientation of new employees.
• Provides leadership and support to the entire kitchen staff; builds morale and encourages empowerment of staff.

• Maintains a positive and compliant employee relations climate.
• Responsible for staffing, training, evaluation and counseling of kitchen staff.
• Promotes support and communication with entire staff.
• Positively interacts with front of house staff. Rapidly solves problems.

• Ensures compliance with health, sanitation, safety and employment regulations by clearly communicating and reinforcing standards and procedures to kitchen staff.

• Ensures proper kitchen record keeping and administrative requirements including food inventories and invoicing of food products.
• Responsible for organizing employee work schedules, ensuring appropriate coverage for all kitchen areas, staff compliance with venue uniform policy.

• Promotes teamwork among staff through effective communication, follow through and goal setting.
• Leads by example and thorough instruction to effectively obtain quality management of product, service and philosophy of concept.

• Responsible for overseeing the production of Staff meals ensuring that they are on time, healthy and substantial per meal calendar.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years kitchen management experience in a full service restaurant or events venue.

• Demonstrated and verifiable track record of meeting projected costs.

• Professional appearance and presentation required.

• Knowledge of and skill in using computer software, including MS Word/Excel/Outlook.

• Maintains a current Food Handler’s card and alcohol service permit if required by state or local government.

• Working knowledge of employee scheduling in a hospitality environment.

• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in a nationally recognized sanitation program.

• Technical proficiency and experience demonstrating verifiable knowledge of food preparation methods.

• Ability to positively interact with diverse personalities, including co-workers, subordinates, guests and purveyors in a variety of work situations. Must have active listening and effective communication skills.

• Ability to develop results-oriented staff through effective training, evaluation, motivation, coaching and counseling.
• Ability to assist others in developing needed skills for effective job performance.

• Ability to positively distribute responsibility to others to meet objectives and achieve desired results.

• Ability to recognize problems and to creatively and expeditiously find solutions.

• Ability to set priorities and use initiative; solid decision-maker.

• Ability to be detail-oriented, multi-task and effectively prioritize in a continuously changing environment.

• Ability to be self-directed while working in a team-oriented environment.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule; able and willing to work nights, weekends and long hours.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens ourpeople, improves ourservice, and raises ourexcellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.