Regional Traveling Chef & Culinary Leader

Compass Group USA; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Plan

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Critical Illness Insurance

Disability Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

Canteen, a Compass Group USA brand, seeks a Traveling Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. This role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with training and program development to elevate food quality and service delivery.

Extensive travel supports account openings, training initiatives, catering events, and culinary development. The ideal candidate mentors teams, drives innovation, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership experience within catering, corporate dining, hospitality, restaurant, or contract foodservice environments.
• Minimum 2 years of multi-site culinary leadership experience.
• Strong experience supporting high-volume food production and catering operations.
• Proven ability to coach, train, and develop culinary talent.
• Experience managing food costs, labor costs, purchasing, and inventory controls.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and sanitation programs.

Responsibilities

• Travel extensively to support multiple dining, catering, and hospitality operations throughout the region.
• Provide hands-on culinary leadership and support during account launches, transitions, staffing gaps, and special events.
• Coach, train, and mentor chefs and culinary teams on food quality, presentation, execution, and best practices.
• Drive culinary innovation by introducing new menus, recipes, catering offerings, and industry trends.
• Partner with local culinary leaders to improve operational performance, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Support menu development, food production planning, and catering execution across multiple locations.
• Assist locations with inventory management, purchasing, food cost controls, and labor efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Roll out new culinary programs and initiatives in partnership with Canteen's culinary and marketing teams.
• Conduct operational assessments and develop action plans to enhance quality, consistency, and financial performance.
• Support high‑profile catering events and client engagements as needed.

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Canteen, a Compass Group USA brand, seeks a Traveling Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple locations and client accounts. This role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with training and program development to elevate food quality and service delivery.

Extensive travel supports account openings, training initiatives, catering events, and culinary development. The ideal candidate mentors teams, drives innovation, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.