Executive Chef 4

Sodexo's Campus Segment is a leader in food service and facilities management, providing top-tier services to educational institutions across the globe. With a commitment to enhancing quality of life and delivering exceptional dining experiences, Sodexo partners with universities to create welcoming environments where students, faculty, and staff can enjoy nutritious and innovative culinary offerings. The University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, is one such premier campus where Sodexo delivers resident dining operations through multiple dining commons and retail establishments. The company upholds rigorous standards across all aspects of food service, from safety compliance to operational efficiency, ensuring a high level of satisfaction among its clients and customers.

The Executive Chef 3 role at the University of New Haven represents a dynamic leadership opportunity within Sodexo's Campus Segment. This high-profile position encompasses oversight of all culinary aspects of resident dining operations, including menu development, quality assurance, and presentation standards across two dining commons and supporting retail operations. The Executive Chef will manage food and labor budgets, control costs, maintain inventory accuracy, and implement forecasting strategies essential for operational success. Utilizing Sodexo's standardized culinary systems, the chef will ensure procedures and best practices are applied consistently, upholding food safety, sanitation, HACCP guidelines, and physical safety standards at all times.

This role demands a seasoned culinary professional who blends culinary artistry with strong financial management skills and operational expertise. The Executive Chef will lead Gold Check audits and intervene with corrective action plans to maintain audit readiness. They will orchestrate food management system implementations, partner with procurement teams and vendors to oversee purchasing processes and uphold fiscal controls. Creativity will be central to this role through the development of innovative dining concepts, limited-time offers, and retail menu enhancements designed to engage and delight the student population.

Collaborative teamwork is crucial, as the Executive Chef will work closely with campus leadership and clients to ensure exceptional dining experiences that reinforce strong, positive relationships. The role also extends to catering and banquet services, requiring customized menu development and flawless execution to meet special event needs. Leadership responsibilities include coaching, training, and developing culinary and hourly staff, fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement focused on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Compensation for this Executive Chef position is competitive and fair, adjusted based on the candidate's education and years of relevant experience. Sodexo offers an extensive benefits package that supports employees' health, well-being, and career growth. Benefits include medical, dental, vision care, wellness programs, 401(k) plans with matching contributions, paid time off, company holidays, tuition reimbursement, and numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Candidates interested in this position should bring proven executive culinary leadership experience within higher education, hospitality, healthcare, or large-volume food service environments. They should demonstrate strong financial acumen with a history of managing food costs, labor budgets, purchasing, and inventory controls. The role requires a candidate with extensive knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP, sanitation standards, and audit compliance, alongside the ability to implement standardized culinary systems and quality assurance protocols. Effective leadership and mentoring skills are essential for building and sustaining high-performing culinary teams, as well as excellent client-facing communication abilities.

Sodexo is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce where every employee is valued and respected. The company ensures an equitable work environment with equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, disability, or any protected characteristic. Sodexo invites candidates who share a passion for culinary excellence, innovation, and student engagement to join their team in delivering outstanding dining experiences at the University of New Haven.