General Manager / Chef Manager

Sodexo; Northfield Township (IL); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Well­

401(k) Plan with Matching

Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Sodexo in the United States is seeking a Results-driven General Manager/Chef Manager to lead culinary and food service operations, drive client satisfaction, and manage budgets. This role balances hands-on leadership with strategic oversight, develops teams, ensures safety and compliance, and delivers exceptional dining experiences for clients and customers.

Based in Illinois, the position emphasizes leadership, budget management, and strong client relationships to elevate dining experiences

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of management experience.
• Minimum 2 years of related experience.
• Culinary background with food production and safety expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily food service and culinary operations to meet client needs.
• Manage budgets, pay reviews, and hiring decisions as applicable.
• Ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and coach teams to deliver excellent dining experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary management

Food production

Inventory control

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Team development

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

Inventory management software

Ordering systems

Job description

Results-driven General Manager/Chef Manager responsible for leading culinary and food service operations, driving client satisfaction, managing budgets, ensuring food safety compliance, developing teams, and delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Dynamic hospitality leader responsible for overseeing daily food service and culinary operations, ensuring high-quality dining experiences, managing financial performance, leading and developing teams, maintaining safety standards, and exceeding client ex

About the job

In this dynamic role, you'll take ownership of daily food and nutrition service operations, balancing hands‑on leadership with strategic oversight. You’ll inspire and lead a team, drive performance outcomes, and build meaningful relationships that enhance client and customer satisfaction.

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $56270 - $72820

Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What’s in it for you

• Lead a high‑impact team and foster a culture of collaboration, quality, and service excellence.
• Make a direct difference by shaping the dining experience for clients and customers alike.
• Take pride in hitting financial targets while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance.
• Mentor and develop talent across all levels of your team to drive engagement and growth.
• Build strong client partnerships and contribute to long‑term satisfaction and retention.
• Stay close to the action with hands‑on involvement in daily operations.
• Be part of a company that values leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement.

What you’ll bring

• A culinary background with expertise in food production, inventory control, and ordering systems.
• Proven leadership skills with the skillset to build team culture, retain talent, and develop others through coaching and mentorship.
• In‑depth knowledge of safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance within food service environments.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities with a track record of managing competing priorities effectively.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a passion for delivering exceptional service and driving operational results.

Requirements

• Education Requirement: Associate’s degree or equivalent experience
• Management Experience: 2 years
• Related Experience: 2 years

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

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

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

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 the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.