Executive CHEF - Food Service - Lansing Public School District, MI

Executive Chef

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent.

We are seeking an inspirational, kid-focused executive chef to lead culinary operations across the school district. This highly respected role ensures nutritious, high-quality meals that appeal to diverse student populations while upholding the highest standards for consistency, presentation, food safety, and sanitation.

The executive chef mentors and develops the culinary team through hands-on leadership and training, encouraging creativity within K-12 nutrition guidelines. Partnering closely with on-site chefs and district leaders—including dining services, marketing, and finance—you'll support menu planning and execution that enriches the student dining experience, minimizes waste, and drives overall program success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines
• Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on company and regulatory standards
• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned
• Maintains inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed
• Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within company guidelines for such products
• Complies with federal, state and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third-party audits
• Follows facility, department, and company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting
• Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications:

• A.S. or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum of three plus years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
• Catering experience a plus
• High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
• Institutional and batch cooking experiences
• Hands-on chef experience a must!
• Comprehensive knowledge of food trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
• ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/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

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ Req ID: 1527855