Assistant Executive Chef

Greenwood, IN, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Monthly bonuses

annual bonuses

Paid management training program

Referral program

Employee Discounts

holiday closures

financial assistance

Job Description

P.F. Chang's is a renowned restaurant chain known for offering Asian cuisine with a modern twist. Established with a commitment to quality, fresh ingredients, and outstanding guest experiences, P.F. Chang's has built a reputation as a leader in the casual dining space. The company operates numerous locations across the United States and internationally, creating vibrant and welcoming environments where guests can indulge in flavorful dishes, inspired drinks, and exceptional service. P.F. Chang's values its team members and aims to provide rewarding career opportunities within a supportive and dynamic workplace culture.

The role of Assistant Executive Chef, also referred to as Kitchen Manager, Culinary Manager, or Senior Kitchen Manager, is a vital position within the P.F. Chang's kitchen operations. This full-time, hourly, non-exempt position assumes approximately 50 hours per week with pay based on experience. The Assistant Executive Chef plays a crucial role in managing restaurant culinary teams and overseeing food service operations to ensure that high standards are consistently met in the kitchen. This role involves assisting the Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager directly to maintain operational excellence, uphold product quality, control food costs, and maintain an efficient workflow.

In this leadership capacity, the Assistant Executive Chef is responsible for coordinating and supervising the kitchen staff, including sous chefs and culinary line cooks, ensuring they are trained, motivated, and working harmoniously to deliver a premium dining experience. The role includes responsibilities like preparing schedules, conducting interviews and staff development, ensuring safety and sanitation certifications are up to date, and enforcing dress code and kitchen cleanliness standards. Inventory management and cost control are key components, as is overseeing timely food preparation to meet demand.

Due to the fast-paced, high-volume environment typical of a P.F. Chang's restaurant, candidates must possess hands-on experience and strong management capabilities. The role requires effective communication, organizational skills, and the ability to execute training programs to develop current and future kitchen leadership talent. The position also involves periodic driving duties related to catering orders, supply runs, or meetings, which necessitates a valid driver’s license.

Working as an Assistant Executive Chef at P.F. Chang's offers numerous benefits including comprehensive health benefits, a competitive pay structure with performance bonuses, paid management training programs emphasizing internal promotions, referral bonuses, employee discounts, and holiday closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Additionally, employees gain access to a supportive community through funds that offer financial assistance during hardships.

Overall, this role at P.F. Chang's is ideal for culinary professionals seeking career growth in a reputable, nationally recognized chain that balances operational rigor with a family-like atmosphere and a clear commitment to celebrating life, family, and food. This is more than just a job; it is an opportunity to be part of a passionate team driven by purpose and dedicated to excellence in every dish served.

Job Requirements

2+ years of culinary management experience with experience managing and writing prep lists
must possess a valid driver’s license to perform occasional duties such as providing shift coverage, meeting liquor license requirements depending on the state, delivering large catering orders, making supply runs, local restaurant marketing, attending offsite training and business meetings, and traveling between restaurant locations
experience working in a hands-on, fast paced, high volume environment
experience in managing a team while identifying and developing employees for future leadership roles
experience in facilitating and executing an effective training program
effective communication and organizational skills
understanding of managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials
must be able to stand and walk for periods of eight to ten hours in length each shift
must be able to reach, bend, balance and transport various objects weighing up to 30 lbs. repeatedly during a shift, at times lifting up to 50 lbs.
must be able to work around various levels of temperature including warm to very warm temperatures in the kitchen

Job Qualifications

2+ years of culinary management experience with experience managing and writing prep lists
effective communication and organizational skills
experience in managing a team while identifying and developing employees for future leadership roles
experience in facilitating and executing an effective training program
understanding of managing inventory, cost of goods, and overall control of financials
must possess a valid driver’s license
experience working in a hands-on, fast paced, high volume environment
ability to stand and walk for periods of eight to ten hours in length each shift
ability to reach, bend, balance and transport various objects weighing up to 30 lbs. repeatedly during a shift
ability to work around various temperature levels in the kitchen

Job Duties

Accountable for operational excellence in the kitchen
delegates tasks and gives direction to all kitchen staff
conducts initial interviews with kitchen management and staff candidates
selects, orients, and continually develops all sous chefs and kitchen staff
prepares work schedules for sous chef and kitchen staff
ensures ongoing preservation of safety certification requirements for all kitchen staff
supervises and facilitates all training for all food preparation and execution of menu items, procedures, and recipes to all kitchen staff
responsible for maintaining all product quality standards
responsible for maintaining expected food costs and inventory
ensures proper timing and production for food orders
conducts ongoing performance appraisals for sous chefs and kitchen staff
holds kitchen staff accountable for dress code standards
oversees or completes all prep lists and ordering guides
completes opening and closing checklists
responsible for maintenance and repairs of kitchen equipment and facility
proficiently works all kitchen stations
accountable for providing a clean and safe environment for both team members and guests