Traveling Executive Chef: Culinary Lead & Innovation

Compass Group, North America; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Bon Appetit is seeking an Executive Chef, Traveling Support to lead culinary operations across a portfolio of accounts. This hands-on role reports to the Regional Vice President and requires rapid operational assessment, team leadership, and culinary excellence in diverse locations.

The successful candidate will travel extensively (about 85%), elevate food quality and standards, mentor chefs, and implement systemwide SOPs while delivering outstanding guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience leading culinary operations in high-volume foodservice, hospitality, restaurant, catering, or contract dining environments.
• Demonstrated success as an Executive Chef or comparable culinary leader.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP principles, and kitchen operations management.
• Experience supporting operational improvement initiatives, leadership transitions, or multi-unit foodservice environments.
• Ability to travel extensively, approximately 85% of the time.
• Residence within reasonable commuting distance of a major airport.
• Experience supporting new account openings, renovations, or culinary program launches.
• Experience developing culinary standards, training programs, recipes, or operational tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive chef leadership and operational support across multiple accounts during leadership transitions, staffing gaps, new openings, and other business-critical needs.
• Assess kitchen operations and implement practical solutions that improve food quality, consistency, efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
• Champion culinary excellence by maintaining high standards for food quality, presentation, recipe execution, and dining experiences.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, allergen management, and regulatory requirements while promoting a culture of accountability and safety.
• Support new account openings, including kitchen readiness, menu implementation, team training, operational setup, and launch execution.
• Partner with culinary and operations leaders to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Support food cost management, inventory controls, purchasing practices, and waste reduction initiatives that contribute to financial performance.
• Mentor and develop chefs, managers, and culinary team members through coaching, training, and hands-on leadership.
• Contribute to culinary innovation, recipe development, standard operating procedures, and training resources that support consistency across the portfolio.
• Build strong relationships with clients, operational leaders, and culinary teams while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Travel extensively to support locations across the region and portfolio as business needs require.

Skills

Executive leadership

Culinary operations

Food safety

Leadership transitions

Communication skills

Financial acumen

Travel ability

Education

ServSafe Manager Certification

Certified Executive Chef (CEC)

Job description

Bon Appetit is seeking an Executive Chef, Traveling Support to lead culinary operations across a portfolio of accounts. This hands-on role reports to the Regional Vice President and requires rapid operational assessment, team leadership, and culinary excellence in diverse locations.

The successful candidate will travel extensively (about 85%), elevate food quality and standards, mentor chefs, and implement systemwide SOPs while delivering outstanding guest experiences.