Salad Bar Executive Chef

Stew Leonard's; Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Significant Bonus Potential

Comprehensive Insurance Benefits

401(k) with company match

Management Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Educational assistance program

Job summary

Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, CT is seeking an Executive Chef to lead our culinary operation, including Kitchen, BBQ, Pizza and Hoedown. You will oversee menu planning, food preparation, quality and safety standards.

You will manage staff, control labor and inventory, collaborate with vendors, and drive cost-effective measures while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• 5 years of senior-level grocery/retail kitchen experience.
• Bachelor’s Culinary Degree.
• Food Safety and Sanitation certification.
• Strong culinary creativity and knowledge of trends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary operations across Kitchen, BBQ, Pizza and Hoedown.
• Plan menus, supervise food preparation, and ensure safety standards.
• Monitor labor and inventory; manage cost control.
• Hire, train, and evaluate staff and conduct performance chats.
• Engage with local culinary schools for internships.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s Culinary Degree

Food Safety Certification

Job description

Executive Chef

Full Time Salary – Estimated pay range $75,000 - $97,572 depending on qualifications and experience. Must be at least 18 years and older

Position Description:

As the Executive Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the culinary operation. Your role will encompass menu planning, food preparation, and maintaining high food quality and safety standards. You will oversee that the operating procedures are met for Kitchen, BBQ, Pizza and Hoedown.

Your day-to-day:

• Ensure the salad bar and displays are merchandised and appropriate signage is visible
• Ensure displays are full and product is rotated appropriately

• Provides direction for all day-to-day operations; utilize Round Up for production scheduling
• Review One Idea Report to identify opportunities to achieve goals
• Show and sell and cross merchandise whenever possible
• Place orders with vendors and transfers, when needed
• Ensure accurate inventories- daily and monthly
• Participate in monthly, quarterly and yearly department inventories
• Attend department BASH and Strategy meetings
• Assist in hiring, promoting, and training team members
• Provide timely feedback by completing and delivering comprehensive 90 day and mid-year Performance Chats
• Provide feedback to department manager for Annual Performance Appraisals
• Conduct and/or actively participate in monthly department communication meetings
• Manage team members progressive disciplinary procedures

• Ensure the department complies with all health codes, sanitation and safety regulations. Maintain a Health Dept. rating of “A”
• Conduct/oversee daily/periodic department cleaning

Labor:

• Monitor daily labor to ensure operational needs and financial objectives are met.
• Cultivate relationships with local culinary schools for interns
• Cross-training to improve team’s skills in different areas of the department

Budget and Cost Management:

• Monitor inventory levels and minimize food waste
• Oversee daily production and sales within the department to control over/ under sales.
• Implement cost-effective measures while maintaining food quality and customer satisfaction
• Review and audit all internal and external transfers

What you bring to the team:

• Ability to handle multiple tasks, and troubleshoot effectively
• Detail-oriented with organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Foster a culture of teamwork and professionalism, promoting a positive work environment
• Conduct and participate in culinary training sessions and workshops as needed
• Attend/participate in trade shows
• Above average math and computer skills
• Able to work effectively under staff and labor constraints in a fast- paced environment
• Strong work ethic
• High integrity and honest judgment of people
• Good business savvy with a grasp of financial and operating goals
• Ability to make quick decisions

Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience at senior level in a grocery store or similar environment
• Bachelor’s Culinary Degree
• Food Safety and Sanitation certification
• Strong culinary creativity and innovation
• Knowledge of food trends and market conditions

In addition to top-tier pay, we offer a comprehensive total compensation package that includes:

• Significant Bonus Potential:Earn a substantial annual bonus based on your performance and the company's success
• Exceptional Insurance Benefits:Access affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage for yourself and your family.
• Secure Your Future:Plan for retirement with our robust 401(k) savings plan, featuring a generous company match to help your investments grow.
• Dedicated Management Retirement Plan:Benefit from our exclusive Management Retirement Plan, which includes both profit-sharing and a company contribution, further enhancing your long-term financial security.
• Supporting Your Life Outside of Work:Enjoy paid time off to help you achieve a healthy and fulfilling work-life balance.
• Empowering your Growth:We are committed to your professional growth through our educational assistance program, and we provide ongoing training initiatives to support your further development and advancement within the company.

Satisfy:

• Greet customers with a friendly smile and positive attitude, ensuring that each customer feels welcome and appreciated.

Teamwork:

• Collaborate with team members to ensure the smooth operation of the store, offering assistance and support where needed.

Excellence:

• Improve and maintain the efficiency of the store in order to reach success.

Wow:

• Be a positive ambassador for the store, representing our S.T.E.W. values in all interactions with customers and team members. You are the biggest WOW!

Why you’ll love working here!

Family Oriented:We respect the personal balance between work and family with career opportunity and growth- over 80% of our managers have been promoted from within.

Benefits:High value, high quality Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401 K plan for FT & PT team members, family & personal time, life insurance, and more!

Environment:Have you seen the Avocado Girls? Chiquita Banana? Or the singing Parrot?

Pay Day:We’re thrilled to offer our employees Dayforce Wallet – a new way to get paid. Say bye-bye to pay day and hello to pay your way. Get your pay as soon as you earn it, at no cost to you– It’s your money, why should you have to wait? Request your pay as you earn it.

We take pride in the power of diversity, inclusion, and being socially responsible to the communities, which we live and do business