Area Executive Chef

Cogir Management, USA•Charlotte, NC

1d•$100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cogir Senior Living, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, proudly oversees a network of senior living communities spanning 11 states nationwide. As a trusted leader in senior housing, the company is dedicated to growth while maintaining its commitment to exceptional care for residents and a supportive, growth-focused environment for team members. Cogir's culture is rooted in the core values of human focus, creativity, and excellence. The Area Executive Chef is a regional culinary leadership role responsible for overseeing food and beverage operations across multiple senior living communities within the Charlotte, North Carolina market. This position is a key component of Cogir’s Collective Culinary Leadership Model, designed to elevate dining quality, improve operational efficiency, and standardize culinary execution across communities. The Area Executive Chef will provide hands-on leadership, direct operational support, and full accountability for culinary performance across all assigned communities.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Serve Safe Manager (Food Handler Certificate) with an understanding of kitchen sanitation and food codes
At least 5-10 years of progressive culinary leadership experience
Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost (PRD)
Strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP standards
Experience with modern kitchen equipment and production systems
Proven ability to train, mentor, and develop teams
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Frequent travel between assigned communities is required, up to 60-80% of the time
Must be based within the Charlotte region or willing to relocate

Nice To Haves

Culinary education is preferred
Multi-unit or regional culinary oversight experience preferred
Experience in senior living, hospitality, healthcare, or high-volume foodservice

Responsibilities

Provide regional oversight of all culinary operations across assigned communities
Ensure consistent execution of menus, recipes, and presentation standards
Lead implementation of standardized culinary programs and seasonal menu cycles
Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, and presentation
Ensure all communities align with the company's culinary vision and brand standards
Conduct weekly on-site visits to each assigned community
Work directly alongside kitchen teams on: day-to-day operations, production execution, service flow, plating, and presentation
Provide real-time coaching and corrective action as needed
Identify operational gaps and implement immediate solutions
Maintain full ownership and accountability of food cost (PRD) performance across all assigned communities
Monitor and manage purchasing practices, inventory controls, and waste reduction initiatives
Ensure accurate and consistent execution of approved menu cycles
Adjust menus and production practices as needed to meet budget and operational goals
Partner with procurement and vendor teams to optimize product utilization
Oversee and ensure execution of all Food & Beverage programs, including: daily dining services, special events and holiday programming, resident engagement initiatives, and signature menu offerings
Support rollout and execution of new culinary initiatives and partnerships
Ensure consistency of dining experience across all communities
Drive efficiency through batch cooking, proper equipment utilization, and workflow optimization
Conduct regular audits of kitchen operations, sanitation, and execution standards
Train and mentor Chef Managers and culinary teams
Provide ongoing coaching through weekly in-community engagement
Support onboarding and development of new culinary leaders
Facilitate adoption of: standardized recipes, cooking programs, and kitchen technology systems
Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and company standards
Maintain audit readiness across all communities
Reinforce HACCP protocols and documentation standards
Monitor equipment usage, compliance, and performance across communities
Leverage operational data to improve efficiency and outcomes
Partner closely with Executive Directors and community leadership teams
Participate in resident engagement and special dining events
Maintain a strong, visible presence within each community
Support a hospitality-driven dining culture
Provide hands-on support during staffing shortages, transitions, and openings
Assist with recruiting, interviewing, and developing culinary team members
Support labor planning and staffing structure optimization across communities