EXECUTIVE CHEF - K-12 SCHOOLS

Chartwells School Dining Services K12; Williamstown (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K with company match

PTO

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Chartwells K12 in Williamstown, NJ is seeking an Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations for a premier K12 district. You will develop menus, train staff, and ensure food safety and compliance while delivering high-quality meals.

Reporting to theDirector, you will drive culinary excellence in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and foster a safe, sanitary, and collaborative dining program for students and staff.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience.
• Hands-on chef experience is critical with focus on quality and sanitation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and email systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop regular and specialty K12 menus adhering to standards.
• Train kitchen staff in food prep, safety, and equipment use.
• Maintain cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance.
• Manage food and supply inventories to ensure availability.
• Ensure compliance with health and sanitation regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Kitchen management

Food safety

Staff training

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Chartwells K12

Salary: $70,000 - $80,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K w/company match, and PTO

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.

Job Summary

Are you an innovative culinary professional with boundless energy and a passion for excellence? Join us as the Executive Chef for our premiere K12 school district located in Williamstown, NJ. Reporting to the Director, successful candidate will lead kitchen operations with creativity and precision while encouraging a safe and sanitary work environment. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, entrepreneurial culinary leader to make a significant impact.

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.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 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

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_ChartwellsK12.pdf

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.

Chartwells K12

JENNIFER HILL