Executive Chef: Lead Seasonal Fine-Dining at a Ranch

Lone Mountain Ranch; Big Sky (MT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT seeks an Executive Chef to lead daily culinary operations across its dining outlets, setting standards for food quality, kitchen culture, and guest experience.

You will mentor a talented team, balance creativity with consistency, oversee production planning, menu engineering, and cost control, while partnering with Culinary Director and Front of House to deliver unforgettable hospitality.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive culinary leadership experience.
• Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef experience in an upscale restaurant, luxury hospitality, resort, or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, kitchen operations, menu execution, or food production.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and developing culinary teams.
• Experience managing labor, food costs, purchasing, inventory, and departmental budgets.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• ServSafe Manager Certification or the ability to obtain certification upon hire.
• Experience in fine dining, destination hospitality, highly seasonal operations, menu engineering, recipe costing, or regional cuisine is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily culinary operations of one of Lone Mountain Ranch's dining outlets.
• Ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, and presentation across every service.
• Execute seasonal menus and culinary initiatives in partnership with the Culinary Director.
• Oversee kitchen operations, production planning, sanitation, food safety, inventory management, purchasing, and equipment maintenance.
• Manage labor scheduling, food costs, inventory, and departmental financial performance while maintaining high operational standards.
• Recruit, onboard, train, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Foster a professional kitchen culture built on accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with Front of House leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Collaborate with Events and other departments to execute special events and unique guest experiences across the Ranch.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, company policies, and workplace safety standards.
• Lead by example through an active, hands-on presence during service.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team leadership

Menu execution

Food production

Labor management

Budget management

Communication

Coaching

Job description

Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT seeks an Executive Chef to lead daily culinary operations across its dining outlets, setting standards for food quality, kitchen culture, and guest experience.

You will mentor a talented team, balance creativity with consistency, oversee production planning, menu engineering, and cost control, while partnering with Culinary Director and Front of House to deliver unforgettable hospitality.