Executive Chef - Salt + Smoke, Edwardsville

Salt + Smoke•Edwardsville, IL

9h•$70,000 - $75,000

About The Position

We’re Growing! Salt + Smoke is excited to announce that we’ll be opening our newest location in Edwardsville, Illinois SPRING 2026! ABOUT SALT + SMOKE: If you’re passionate about great food, great people, and delivering outstanding experiences, apply today! We can’t wait to meet you and see how you can make happy happen at Salt + Smoke! The team at Salt + Smoke have been passionate about treating meat right for years and are excited to bring our St. Louis-style BBQ to the Delmar Loop, Hampton, St. Charles, Ballpark Village, Ellisville, Kirkwood, South County, and Edwardsville neighborhoods. We do our best to bring you the best, serving our community is what we love to do! Our Mission: BBQ, bourbon, and beer are what we do, but people are who we are. To learn more about our values and what we stand for, please click the link to learn more! Salt + Smoke Values ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Executive Chef is a salaried exempt leadership role responsible for managing staff and the day-to-day kitchen operations including planning and managing the production and presentation of quality food in a cost effective, safe manner. You are also responsible for quality service, meeting/exceeding financial and service goals, managing all kitchen employees, and impressing guests with quality and timely service in food presentation and preparation. The ideal candidate demonstrates commitment to these goals through work ethic, integrity, and respect for the company and employees.

Requirements

Ability to be organized and capable of multi-tasking with attention to detail.
Ability to work in a face paced environment.
Ability to stand and be on feet for extended periods of time in varied climate conditions.
Ability to carry and lift up to 50 to 80 lbs frequently.
Ability to go up and down stairs.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Scheduled days and times may vary based on business needs.
Possess knowledge of food preparation and kitchen services, business and basic accounting principles and practices.
Ability to effectively and efficiently manage daily operations and resolve operational problems.
Possess strong listening, verbal, and written communication skills with professionalism, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
Display consistent professional leadership while simultaneously handling competing and changing priorities and projects.
Have basic computer skills - Word, Excel, POS terminals
Willingness to learn and use administrative programs
High school education plus schooling in culinary arts or related major
3+ years in kitchen management.

Responsibilities

Delegate and manage tasks to kitchen staff, communicating and providing clear direction to staff.
Train kitchen associates to maximize productivity and minimize waste.
Inspect daily use records to make sure that estimates are filled in correctly and employees are following these estimates as closely as possible.
Pull all food needed for daily production from the walk-in and utilize all leftovers.
Operate as the main expeditor when necessary, ensuring that all food leaving the kitchen is accurate according to ticket modifications and dietary restrictions, and plated in a highly presentable manner.
Perform BOH performance reviews in a timely manner.
Provide constructive feedback in a consistent and positive manner.
Provide daily communication in our logbook system to keep operations and management aware of day to day operations.
Schedule Back of House staff and cut throughout shifts as necessary to maintain and exceed labor targets.
Conduct and supervise twice daily tastings with FOH and BOH management to ensure food quality and consistency.
Order food and smallware orders based on inventory and predicted needs for the restaurant while maintaining and exceeding budget goals.
Remain aware of ticket times and resolve any issues causing longer times than our standard.
Maintain and supervise excellent cleaning and sanitation practices in all areas of the kitchen.
Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.
Remain positive, resourceful and possess the ability to improvise while working in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure.
Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Pay Range: $70,000-$75,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, and business needs.
Cell phone reimbursement
You will be eligible to participate in our store performance bonus program. Bonuses are based on up to three categories: Food, Labor, and Liquor/Beer/Wine (LBW). Eligibility for specific categories is determined by position. Each eligible category has three potential achievement levels, with higher levels resulting in higher percentage payouts. The payout percentages are tied to the overall profitability of the store.
Medical Coverage – PPO and HSA Plans
Dental & Vision Insurance
Company Provided - Life & AD&D Insurance
Company Provided - Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
FSA Dependent Care & Medical Plans
401(k) Retirement Plan – With Employer Match
Paid Time Off, Holiday, and Sick Time (for Full Time Salaried Besties)
Part Time Paid Time Off (for eligible Part Time Hourly Besties)
Employee Discounts