Executive Chef

Compass Group • Santa Monica, CA

3d • $85,000 - $97,000

About The Position

The Executive Chef oversees all culinary operations for a single kitchen and café with a catering program. This hands-on leadership role leads breakfast and lunch service and is responsible for innovative menu development, daily kitchen operations, food and labor costs, purchasing, inventory control, client satisfaction, and culinary team development. The Executive Chef ensures high standards of food quality, safety, sanitation, and hospitality while combining culinary creativity with operational and financial management. The operation is primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional support for catering and special events outside standard operating hours as business needs require.

Requirements

• Five or more years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or similar management roles.
• Proven menu development and menu-writing experience.
• Experience managing P&Ls, budgets, food costs, labor costs, purchasing, and inventory controls.
• Experience leading a high-quality foodservice operation with a focus on execution, hospitality, and customer satisfaction.
• Versatile culinary background with expertise across multiple cuisines and dining styles.
• Ability to balance culinary creativity with operational and financial responsibilities in a hands-on leadership role.
• Strong coaching and team-development skills.
• Excellent client-facing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, production systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and foodservice management systems.
• Availability to support a primarily Monday through Friday operation, typically aligned with breakfast and lunch service hours.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high standards.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• ServSafe Manager Certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations for a single kitchen and café, ensuring effective breakfast and lunch service.
• Develop and execute seasonal, daily, and specialty menus that reflect guest preferences, client expectations, and current culinary trends.
• Maintain food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction through active involvement in production and service.
• Work alongside the culinary team and foster accountability, teamwork, and excellence.
• Supervise, train, coach, and develop eight hourly associates.
• Manage food and labor costs, purchasing, inventory, forecasting, and waste reduction.
• Own P&L responsibilities through budgeting, financial analysis, and cost-control initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company and applicable local, state, and federal food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation programs for equipment, storage areas, and production spaces.
• Manage purchasing and vendor relationships to support product quality, availability, and cost effectiveness.
• Support campus catering, meetings, and special events while maintaining high culinary standards and smooth execution.
• Adapt menus, offerings, and production strategies based on customer feedback, operational needs, and business objectives.
• Build and maintain client and stakeholder relationships through communication, responsiveness, and service.
• Use production reports, inventory tools, and operational data to support improvement and informed decisions.
• Participate in client meetings, team development initiatives, and company culinary programs as needed.
• Support occasional catering and special events outside standard operating hours when business needs require.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance and AD
• Disability insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Holiday time off, varying by site and state
• 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
• Potential paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable laws

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree