EXECUTIVE CHEF - Muskegon Public Schools, MI

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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. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.

Job Summary

Muskegon Public Schools is seeking an Executive Chef to lead its K‑12 dining program across seven schools in an urban Michigan district serving approximately 3,200 students. The district serves a diverse, high‑need population and provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, catering, and meals for GSRP and Head Start programs. This long‑tenured, stable account is ideal for a hands‑on chef who is passionate about serving communities in need, expanding scratch cooking (including use of a smoker), training teams, and giving back. Strong computer skills and attention to detail are important.

The Executive Chef will be highly visible across the district, supporting Chartwells signature programs while building strong relationships with school and district partners. Reporting to the Director of Dining Services, the role collaborates with an Assistant Director and leads up to 47 frontline associates, overseeing daily operations and would love to build and grow the $80K in annual catering revenue. This people‑first leadership position offers a primarily daytime K‑12 schedule with only occasional nights or weekends for special events.

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
•    Minimum of three years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
•    Extensive catering experience a plus!
•    Union 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 and catering 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

 

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

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Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or r