Senior Area Executive Chef - job 1 of 2

Role Overview

Sodexo is seeking a Senior Area Executive Chef for our At School segment

Remote role with the preferred candidate residing in Washington, Oregon, Arizona or Colorado with up to 30% travel

The Senior Area Executive Chef plays a critical leadership role in driving culinary excellence across the K-12 (At School) Segment.

This position is responsible for creating training and implementation tools for kitchen teams, managing food cost to ensure operational efficiency, and developing innovative, student-friendly menus, aligned to our brands, that adhere to all regulations with USDA and state guidelines.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a passion for child nutrition, culinary innovation, process improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What You'll Do

Training & Implementation

• Develop learning guides and visual training materials for kitchen staff.
• Lead culinary workshops and hands-on training sessions for chefs and foodservice teams.
• Support new brand rollouts and ensure consistent execution across all locations.

Food Cost Management

• Monitor and analyze food cost data to identify opportunities for savings and efficiency.
• Partner with purchasing and inventory teams to optimize product selection and reduce waste.
• Implement portion control strategies and inventory management best practices.

Menu Development & Innovation

• Design & manage menus that are aligned to our core K-12 brands for elementary, middle & high schools
• Develop on trend and innovative recipes/menus that drive student meal participation & satisfaction.
• Design and implement seasonal, compliant, and culturally preferred recipes tailored to K-12 students.
• Collaborate with nutritionists and procurement teams to ensure menus meet USDA and state regulations.
• Conduct taste tests and student engagement sessions to gather feedback on current and future culinary trends.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a culinary mentor and resource for operations leadership, chefs,  and onsite kitchen managers.
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, nutrition, brand management, communications, and compliance teams to support district goals.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to company-wide culinary initiatives.

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:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification required.
• Minimum 7 years of culinary experience, with at least 3 years in a multi-unit leadership role.
• Experience in K-12 foodservice or institutional dining strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USDA child nutrition guidelines and food safety standards.
• Excellent communication, training, public speaking, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and menu management software.

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 - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 3 years