Executive Chef, Production

Home Chef • Bedford Park, IL

2d • $80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Home Chef is seeking a culinary production expert to lead kitchen operations for its ready-to-heat brand, Tempo. The role focuses on delivering consistently high-quality meals in a high-volume production kitchen and training and leading associates to execute the culinary vision. The Executive Chef works with production and R&D teams to ensure ingredient availability, execute and improve recipes, and maintain food quality and safety standards. The position requires 5% travel.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience in a commissary kitchen and high-volume food preparation.
• High school diploma or GED, or related work experience.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
• Familiarity with USDA and FDA guidelines.
• Knowledge of HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and USDA regulations.
• Skills in planning, organizing, prioritizing, and executing projects and activities.
• Passion for helping people achieve their goals and improve themselves.

Nice To Haves

• American Culinary Federation chef certification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee product quality in a mass-production kitchen and validate the taste, appearance, and performance of meals.
• Implement and adhere to food quality and food safety standards.
• Prepare weekly cook schedules and review and approve payroll in collaboration with HR.
• Maintain standards for food quality, cost, appearance, and flavor.
• Check processes before production and inspect food presentation to ensure quality standards are met.
• Coordinate with the RTH Production Manager to ensure ingredients are available when needed.
• Train and lead team members through preparation, cooking, and cooling processes.
• Train, coach, and develop sous chef staff, including weekly one-on-one development sessions.
• Supervise, evaluate, and train employees, and oversee sanitation, safety, menu planning, and related production activities.
• Develop training programs and provide professional development opportunities for kitchen staff.
• Work with Corporate R&D chefs on ingredient and menu improvement opportunities.
• Ensure new recipes are executed and kitchen staff are trained and supervised in their implementation; collaborate with R&D to improve existing recipes.
• Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs to provide feedback on recipes and ingredient specifications.
• Review meal ratings weekly and identify areas for performance improvement.
• Ensure accurate documentation and record keeping of lot information, CCPs, sensory results, and yields.
• Sign off on Assembly Production Sheets and ensure meal plating is visually appealing.
• Ensure batches are properly recorded in Progress Tracker.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation time.
• 401(k) program.
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses.
• 401(k) match.
• Paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED