Traveling Executive Chef — Lead, Train & Elevate Kitchens

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit Traveling Support Executive Chef role requires hands-on culinary leadership across a portfolio of accounts, reporting to the Regional Vice President. You will assess operations, elevate food quality, train teams, and ensure safe, compliant kitchens while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Ideal candidates will have multi-unit leadership experience, strong food-safety credentials, and the ability to travel extensively.

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 quickly assess challenges, prioritize effectively, and implement solutions in fast-paced environments.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and coaching skills.
• Financial acumen with experience managing food cost, purchasing, inventory, and labor considerations.
• 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.
• Background in corporate dining, hospitality, higher education, restaurant, or contract foodservice environments.
• Experience working across multiple culinary concepts and service models.
• ServSafe Manager Certification, Certified Executive Chef (CEC), or similar professional credential.
• 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 Chef leadership

Multi-unit operations

Food safety HACCP

Operational improvement

Fast-paced environments

Communication & coaching

Budget & food cost

Travel 85%

Airport proximity

New account openings

Corporate dining background

Multiple concepts/service models

Certifications (ServSafe/CEC)

Developing standards & training

Job description

Bon Appetit Traveling Support Executive Chef role requires hands-on culinary leadership across a portfolio of accounts, reporting to the Regional Vice President. You will assess operations, elevate food quality, train teams, and ensure safe, compliant kitchens while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Ideal candidates will have multi-unit leadership experience, strong food-safety credentials, and the ability to travel extensively.