Executive Chef I

Highland Springs by Erickson Senior Living; New Jersey; On-site; USD 72,250 - 98,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diversity & inclusion

Medical, dental, and vision

PTO and volunteer hours

401(k) with company match

On-site wellness resources

Education assistance & courses

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Cedar Crest Village by Erickson Senior Living seeks an experienced Executive Chef to lead our Signature Dining Program and culinary team, delivering chef-inspired, from-scratch cuisine to residents. This hands-on role combines menu development, food quality, and operations within budget guidelines.

You will supervise kitchen staff, manage core menus, and uphold sanitation standards while fostering a culture of teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement to enhance residents' dining experiences

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years as Executive Chef.
• Fine dining experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of ala carte and catering trends with focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls and food presentation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of food production, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency from purchasing and receiving to storage, preparation, and plate presentation—all within established budget guidelines.
• Supervise and support all kitchen staff ensuring adherence to performance standards and kitchen operations.
• Implement and maintain core menus, recipe management systems, and back‑of‑house (BOH) computer systems.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment and areas meet sanitation standards, including responsibility for monthly internal sanitation audits.
• Maintain compliance with all federal and state food safety regulations (e.g., Health Department, HACCP).
• Ensure consistently high standards for food quality and visual presentation.
• Build strong relationships with residents through regular dining room visits and engagement meetings.

Skills

Executive Chef

Fine dining experience

Menu planning

Tools

POS systems

PC software: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Cedar Crest Village by Erickson Senior Living

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef with a proven track record in hospitality and senior living to lead our award-winning Signature Dining Program. In this hands‑on leadership role, you will inspire and develop a talented culinary team while delivering outstanding dining experiences through chef‑inspired, from-scratch cuisine. You will have the opportunity to create innovative menus, uphold the highest standards of food quality and presentation, and foster a culture of teamwork, creativity, and continuous improvement—all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents every day.

What we offer

• A culture rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness reimbursements, health coaching, and telemedicine
• PTO and paid volunteer hours (per state regulations)
• 401(k) with 3% company match for team members 18+
• On-site medical centers and health/well‑being resources for team members
• Education assistance, certification reimbursement, and access to 6,000+ online courses
• Exciting growth opportunities as we continue to expand

Compensation:

• Commensurate with experience starting at $85,000.00 annually plus eligibility for annual bonus

How you will make an impact

• Oversee all aspects of food production, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency from purchasing and receiving to storage, preparation, and plate presentation—all within established budget guidelines
• Supervise and support all kitchen staff ensuring adherence to performance standards and kitchen operations
• Implement and maintain core menus, recipe management systems, and back‑of‑house (BOH) computer systems
• Ensure all kitchen equipment and areas meet sanitation standards, including responsibility for monthly internal sanitation audits
• Maintain compliance with all federal and state food safety regulations (e.g., Health Department, HACCP)
• Ensure consistently high standards for food quality and visual presentation
• Build strong relationships with residents through regular dining room visits and engagement meetings

What you will need

• Minimum of 3 years Executive Chef experience.
• Fine dining experience a plus.
• Knowledge of ala carte and catering trends with focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls and food presentation
• Good knowledge of PC software and POS systems (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point).

Please note that specific state regulations and requirements may be applicable. These regulations take precedence over the requirements outlined in the job description.

Cedar Crest is a beautiful 130-acre continuing care retirement community in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. We’re part of a growing national network of communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, one of the country’s largest and most respected providers of senior living and health care. Cedar Crest helps people live better lives by fulfilling our promises of a vibrant lifestyle, financial stability, and focused health and well‑being services for those who live and work with us. As part of our team, you'll enjoy flexibility and work‑life balance to meet your personal and professional goals, and we are committed to providing you with opportunities to learn and grow.

Erickson Senior Living, its affiliates, and managed communities are Equal Opportunity Employers and are committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.