EXECUTIVE CHEF - K12 Gary Community School Corporation, Gary, IN

Chartwells School Dining Services K12; Gary (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in K-12 dining services seeks an Executive Chef in Gary, IN, to manage culinary operations across multiple schools. Applicants should possess culinary expertise, leadership skills, and a commitment to food safety while developing menus and training staff. Join a team dedicated to enhancing student dining experiences.

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• 5+ years culinary/kitchen management experience required.
• ServSafe certification highly desirable.
• Proven success in high-volume foodservice operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across 11 schools.
• Develop regular and specialty menus.
• Train kitchen staff in food preparation and safety protocols.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary Expertise

Food Safety

Team Development

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

EXECUTIVE CHEF - K12 Gary Community School Corporation, Gary, IN

Join to apply for the EXECUTIVE CHEF - K12 Gary Community School Corporation, Gary, IN role at Chartwells School Dining Services K12

EXECUTIVE CHEF - K12 Gary Community School Corporation, Gary, IN

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Chartwells K12

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

Chartwells at Gary Community School Corporation located in Gary, IN (Gary is Southeast of Chicago, along the southern shore of Lake Michigan) is seeking a skilled, hands-on, organized Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations across 11 schools, serving 4,025 students daily. This role is ideal for a chef who is either inclusive by nature or thrives in a community-centered environment, and who is passionate about making a difference through food and leadership.

As Executive Chef, you’ll be responsible for leading and developing a culinary team with a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels, coaching and mentoring staff to ensure consistency, quality, and growth. A typical day includes leading inventory, maintaining kitchen organization, ensuring recipe compliance, and being a visible presence across school sites. Success in this role requires attention to detail, strong workflow planning, and a boots-on-the-ground leadership style. If you're passionate about food, education, and building strong, inclusive teams, we’d love to hear from you.

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 essential, 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.
  
  

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

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 K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

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
  
  

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.

Req ID: 1425482

Chartwells K12

KRISTEN STROHMYER

[[req_classification]]

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Services

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