Executive Chef

Job description:

Position Overview Rita’s Catering is looking for a hands-on, creative, and experienced Executive Chef to lead our high-volume, fast-paced kitchen. From breakfast boxes and corporate lunches to social events and airline catering, you'll oversee production across multiple food stations while driving innovation, efficiency, and team development. Primary Duties & Expectations

• Ordering and managing food inventory for all departments, including accurate quantity forecasting and quality control
• Ensuring consistent food quality across all menus, services, and events
• Managing staffing, scheduling, and time management for all culinary employees
• Monitoring and controlling overtime, labor efficiency, and overall labor costs
• Partnering with the Controller to ensure food cost targets, margins, overhead, and per-minute/per-plate performance metrics are achieved
• Ensuring all culinary operations meet sanitation standards and remain fully compliant with FDA regulations and applicable state and local health requirements
• Enforcing uniform, grooming, and professional attire standards for all kitchen and food service employees
• Developing, maintaining, and reviewing menus and menu pricing to ensure appropriate margins and operational efficiency
• Implementing and enforcing portion control standards across all departments
• Creating, maintaining, and enforcing standardized recipes, culinary guides, and preparation procedures
• Establishing and managing schedules for culinary staff and supporting team leadership and accountability
• Supporting all events and service operations to ensure quality, consistency, and execution

This role is ideal for a chef who thrives in a dynamic environment, loves building strong teams, and is passionate about consistently delivering high quality food with exceptional presentation. Essential Job Functions Food Production & Quality · Oversee prep and execution across all kitchen areas: hot line, deli, platters, bakery, airline, and more. · Ensure food is consistently high in quality, taste, and appearance. · Lead and train kitchen staff to uphold Rita’s standards at every step. Menu & Product Development · Design and update seasonal and event-specific menus. · Collaborate with our Bakery Manager to align baked goods with seasonal themes and events. Social Catering & Event Support · Work closely with the Sales team to customize menus and staffing for client events. · Provide on-site support for major events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and guests are happy. Inventory & Ordering · Manage kitchen inventory, maintaining par levels and using FIFO best practices. · Handle purchasing and vendor communication to keep kitchens well-stocked and cost-efficient. Team Development & Training · Promote cross-training and skill growth within the team. · Ensure staff is trained in food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen systems. Operational Excellence · Keep production on schedule to meet daily and event timelines. · Monitor labor and food costs while maintaining product quality. · Work with the Operations team to enforce cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment. Kitchen Cleanliness & Maintenance · Ensure all kitchen and prep areas are kept clean, organized, and up to health standards. · Partner with the Operations team to maintain equipment cleaning schedules and ensure functionality. · Promote a culture of cleanliness, safety, and accountability throughout the kitchen. Sales Collaboration · Maintain open lines of communication with Sales to support client needs. · Help troubleshoot last-minute requests and ensure successful event execution.

Qualifications

· 7+ years of experience in a culinary or catering leadership role · Strong background in high-volume food production · Creative menu planning and trend awareness · Strong understanding of Rita’s products, clients, and pace of service · Serve Safe & Allergen Awareness certifications · Tech-savvy: familiar with catering software and Microsoft Office Key Skills · Strong leadership and team-building ability · Excellent time management and organization · Customer-focused with a hospitality mindset · Deep understanding of food safety and kitchen operations Additional Information This job description is not all-inclusive, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary. The final salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person