Role Overview:
Executive Catering Chef | Battle Creek, MI
Sodexo is seeking an Executive Catering Chef to elevate the culinary experience at our premier corporate dining location. This role is about managing day-to-day kitchen operations, inspiring a talented team, and delivering a high-end program that redefines workplace dining.
As the culinary heartbeat of the unit, you will bring a dynamic, high-end catering and dining program to life through contemporary menu engineering, sustainable sourcing, and flawless event execution. Far from standard corporate food service, this account relies on cutting-edge culinary trends, bespoke executive catering, and rigorous operational standards. You will directly manage and mentor your kitchen and event team, drive culinary excellence across all catered functions—from intimate VIP board meetings to large-scale campus events—control food costs, and uphold the highest standards of food safety and sanitation.
Operating under our sophisticated Modern Recipe brand at our client's prestigious headquarters location, this culinary leader will manage high-profile executive catering, daily corporate dining, and pop-up concepts across two campus locations (a fully equipped HQ kitchen and a local satellite location).
What You'll Do:
Culinary Leadership & Execution: Directs daily culinary operations within a medium-sized unit, overseeing menu planning, food preparation, and consistent presentation standards for both retail and catering sectors.
Team Mentorship & Management: Leads, trains, and develops a team of cooks and utility workers, optimizing labor schedules and fostering a collaborative, high-efficiency kitchen environment.
End-to-End Event Management: Collaborates directly with internal and external clients to design, coordinate, and execute catering experiences from initial concept through flawless execution.
Financial Accountability: Maximizes profitability by managing the culinary budget, implementing strategic food and labor cost controls, and minimizing operational waste.
Client & Customer Satisfaction: Cultivates strong client relationships and monitors guest feedback to continuously elevate food quality, service standards, and patron retention.
Safety & Compliance Oversight: Enforces rigorous food safety (HACCP) and physical safety protocols, ensuring the kitchen meets all regulatory health standards and corporate compliance guidelines.
What We Offer:
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
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Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
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401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
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Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
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Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring:
Education: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or equivalent combination of education and hands-on professional experience.
Leadership Experience: Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or management experience, with a proven track record of mentoring and directing diverse culinary teams.
Industry Expertise: Minimum of 2 years of functional experience in food or culinary services, spanning high-volume operations such as catering, restaurants, institutional, or retail dining.
Financial & Operational Acumen: Demonstrated ability to manage food and labor costs, control inventory, and optimize kitchen efficiency to meet budgetary targets.
Client & Event Management: Strong interpersonal skills with experience collaborating directly with clients to design, coordinate, and execute successful catered events.
Safety & Compliance: Thorough knowledge of food safety (HACCP) and physical safety protocols, with a commitment to maintaining rigorous health department standard
Who We Are:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
