Executive Chef - Airline Catering

SkyChefs is America’s premier airline catering and aviation culinary services provider, operating since 1942. With a rich heritage rooted in culinary excellence and operational innovation, SkyChefs delivers millions of meals and exceptional service experiences annually across 43 sites in the United States. The company is renowned for its commitment to quality, reliability, safety, and teamwork, which has established it as a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers. SkyChefs specializes in aviation culinary services, airline logistics, last-mile delivery, and retail commerce, providing comprehensive solutions from kitchen operations to final delivery at the runway. The company culture emphasizes growth, leadership, and impact in a fast-paced and dynamic environment where employees are valued as the core of the business. Known for continuous innovation, SkyChefs is dedicated to setting the industry standard by combining culinary expertise with operational excellence to serve travelers at every altitude.

We are currently seeking an Executive Chef for our Austin, Texas facility near Austin Bergstrom International Airport. This is an on-site role with a salary range of $72,000 to $90,000 per year. The Austin kitchen operation is a large-scale production environment that employs approximately 180 staff members and programs catering services for around 85 commercial airline flights daily. This position calls for a dynamic, experienced culinary leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced settings and is passionate about maintaining precision, consistency, and operational efficiency at scale. As Executive Chef, you will oversee all aspects of food production, ensuring adherence to recipe specifications, quality standards, and compliance protocols within a highly regulated environment. This role offers the unique opportunity to lead a large team to execute efficient and safe culinary operations while continuously developing processes to optimize production and quality. This is not a traditional restaurant Executive Chef role but rather one focused on catering operations that fuel global airline partners with top-tier meals and service.

In this position, you will be responsible for managing inventory, controlling costs, training and motivating kitchen staff, updating and applying catering manuals, and collaborating with design chefs to stay current on industry trends and menu development. Your leadership will be critical in maintaining HACCP regulations, overseeing sanitation and safety standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in production technology and lean manufacturing principles. You will represent the kitchen both internally and externally, ensuring that your team embodies the company’s values and management principles. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 5:00 am to 1:30 pm, but flexibility is required to cover early mornings, evenings, weekends, nights, and holidays as necessary due to the 24/7, 365-day nature of the business.

Ideal candidates for this role will have 5 to 7 years of progressive commercial cooking experience including at least 2 years in supervisory or management positions with a proven track record of leading kitchen operations and upholding high-quality standards. Formal culinary education or apprenticeship is preferred along with certifications such as Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Executive Chef, or experience in industrial/production chef roles within high-volume or regulated environments. Comprehensive knowledge of food safety regulations, including HACCP, FDA Food Code, and state health department requirements is essential. Additionally, strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, labor management, and cost control is highly valued. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred to enhance communication and foster a collaborative team culture. Experience in a unionized environment is a plus but not mandatory. At SkyChefs, we are an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer welcoming Women, Minorities, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities to apply. This role offers a rewarding career path where you can lead a culinary operation that impacts thousands of travelers every day while advancing your professional growth in a unique aviation catering setting.