Executive Chef of Culinary Operations

Sodexo; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an Executive Chef of Culinary Operations for Yale New Haven Hospital. This role focuses on culinary excellence, team leadership, and financial management in a dynamic healthcare environment. Join a supportive team and make a difference in food service quality.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Care

401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Career Growth Opportunities

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 5+ years of administrative experience in healthcare culinary operations.
• Strong knowledge of union environments.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, inventory, and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Ensure top-quality patient and retail meals.
• Maintain HACCP standards and ensure ServSafe compliance.
• Control food and labor costs, manage inventory and procurement.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Financial Management

Food Safety

Union Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

At Sodexo, we believe in providing exceptional culinary experiences that prioritize quality, safety, and operational excellence in healthcare settings.

We are seeking an Executive Chef of Culinary Operations for Yale New Haven Hospital, York St.

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) is a 1,541-bed hospital located in New Haven, CT. It is the primary teaching hospital for the Yale Schools of Medicine and Nursing, including the 168-bed Smilow Cancer Hospital, the 201-bed Children's Hospital, and the 76-bed Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital. Sodexo offers a room service program transitioning to bedside dining this spring, along with six retail dining locations, including a large main cafeteria, 24-hour micro-market, Starbucks, sushi, and a staff-focused cafe with Peet's Coffee.

The Executive Chef of Culinary Operations role is approximately 80% administrative and 20% frontline culinary. This role leads a dynamic team of 80 union employees, drives quality assurance, and ensures financial and operational success while fostering a strong team culture in a unionized healthcare environment.

Why Join Sodexo?

Sign-On Bonus: $5,000 to welcome you to the team!

Impact: Make a difference in patient and retail food service quality.

Leadership: Take ownership of a high-profile healthcare culinary program.

Growth: Develop and implement innovative culinary systems.

Team Culture: Work in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Ready to lead? Apply today!

What You'll Do

1. Culinary Excellence: Ensure top-quality patient and retail meals that look and taste great.
2. Food & Physical Safety: Maintain HACCP standards, ensure ServSafe compliance, and uphold safety protocols.
3. Team Leadership & Development: Lead and develop a team of managers.
4. Union Leadership: Must have experience managing in a union environment (1199 experience preferred, but any large union is acceptable).
5. Employee Engagement: Build team morale and foster a positive, high-performance culture for frontline staff.
6. Financial & Budget Management: Control food and labor costs, manage inventory and procurement, and ensure contract compliance.
7. Collaboration & Multi-Tasking: Work effectively in a team environment, managing multiple priorities and driving operational efficiency.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, based on education level, experience, skills, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of administrative experience in healthcare culinary operations
• Strong knowledge of union environments (1199 experience a plus)
• Experience managing multi-level teams, including managers and frontline staff
• Expertise in food safety, quality control, and compliance
• Proven ability to manage budgets, inventory, and procurement
• Passion for team development, coaching, and morale-building
• Ability to commit long-term (5+ years) to growing and evolving the program

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving quality of life and contributing to economic, social, and environmental progress in our communities. We partner with clients to provide memorable experiences through food service, catering, facilities management, and other solutions worldwide.

We value you for who you are; you will be treated fairly and with respect. Your ideas and opinions matter, and we foster an environment of diversity and inclusion, where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. If you need assistance with the application process, please contact us.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience