EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lawton Public Schools, Oklahoma

Compass Group USA

Lawton (OK)

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Chartwells K12 has formed a brand-new food service partnership with Lawton Public Schools, serving 14,000 students across 27 schools, where you’ll help build a dynamic culinary program from the ground up as Executive Chef. You’ll lead menu development, elevate food quality, and provide team leadership for up to 110 associates, with no nights, weekends, or holidays, enabling a strong work-life balance.

Collaborate with the Resident District Manager and Director of Dining Services to ensure

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 ability in high-volume, complex foodservice operations and institutional cooking.
Hands-on chef experience with knowledge of trends, quality, production, sanitation, cost control, and presentation.
Proficiency in computer applications including MS Office and email systems.

Responsibilities

Develops regular and specialty menus in line with K12 standards, ensuring portioning and presentation.
Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, equipment operation, and safety protocols.
Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment and work areas.
Handles inventory of food and supplies, optimizing utilization and availability of vital products.
Ensures compliance with health and sanitation regulations and participates in audits.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Staff training

Food safety

Education

Associate’s degree in culinary arts

Tools

MS Office

Email systems

Job description

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EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lawton Public Schools, Oklahoma

Other Forms of Compensation:Medical, dental & vision insurance, 401K, 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

Step into something exciting—a brand-new Chartwells food service partnership with Lawton Public Schools, serving 14,000 students across 27 schools—where you’ll help build a dynamic culinary program from the ground up. As Executive Chef, you’ll play a central role in shaping menus, elevating food quality, and creating a dining experience that’s fresh, innovative, and something students look forward to every day. Best of all, you’ll enjoy a fantastic work-life balance with no nights, weekends, or holidays—so you’ll be home cooking dinner in your own kitchen most evenings (pending business needs).

You’ll collaborate with a strong leadership team, including the Resident District Manager and Director of Dining Services, while leading and inspiring a frontline team of up to 110 associates. From hands‑on menu development and training to driving consistency and excellence across every kitchen, you’ll bring creativity and high standards to everything you do. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love building something special from the ground up, and are passionate about mentoring teams while maintaining a schedule that supports your lifestyle—this is your opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting 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.

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

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.