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Executive Chef-EXCHEF

South Fulton, GA, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $80,000.00 - $85,000.00
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Work Schedule

Day Shifts
Weekend Shifts
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Benefits

Medical
Dental
Vision
Life insurance
401(k)
Pet insurance
Unlimited PTO

Job Description

Forefront is a distinguished company devoted to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services, predominantly within the healthcare sector. With a clear mission anchored in values such as Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, Forefront has positioned itself as a trusted leader in managing food services that contribute significantly to creating a clean, safe, and healing environment for residents, patients, and clients. As a company, Forefront focuses on delivering not just meals, but meaningful dining experiences that cater to the nutritional and emotional needs of those it serves. Their approach integrates culinary innovation with operational excellence, fostering an environment where team development and customer satisfaction are paramount. Forefront prides itself on its supportive culture, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. They invest heavily in leadership development, offering pathways for career advancement and opportunities such as Lean Six Sigma training, which underscores their commitment to growth and quality improvement. Benefits like comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance, 401(k) plans, and unlimited paid time off further reinforce Forefront's dedication to employee well-being and morale.

The Executive Chef role at Forefront is a senior leadership position charged with the overall management and success of dining operations at a Forefront-managed community or account. This exempt salaried role involves working various shifts including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays to ensure operational needs are met consistently. The Executive Chef is not only a hands-on culinary expert but also a strategic leader responsible for maintaining high standards in food quality, regulatory compliance, and financial performance. With a salary range of $80,000 to $85,000, the position demands a leader who can develop and lead a culinary team effectively, manage costs, oversee procurement, and continuously innovate to enhance the dining experience. The Executive Chef leads all culinary operations encompassing production, menu execution, catering, and special events. High expectations rest on this role to ensure consistent delivery of scratch or fresh-prepared foods according to Forefront's rigorous standards, develop seasonal and resident-driven menus, and champion innovation that enhances resident engagement and satisfaction. Key responsibilities also include managing budgets and inventory controls, driving waste reduction programs, and partnering with the General Manager and regional leadership to align operational goals with corporate strategies. This leadership position is expected to recruit, train, and retain a motivated culinary team, including Sous Chefs, Managers, and frontline staff, fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork. Maintaining health and safety compliance with all regulatory standards such as ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, and CMS is a critical aspect of the job, alongside ensuring readiness for inspections and audits. The Executive Chef also actively engages with residents, patients, and clients to gather feedback, participate in food committees and tastings, thereby continuously refining the culinary program. Forefront emphasizes adherence to company values and policy compliance, including human resources policies, ethical guidelines, patient rights, confidentiality, and HIPAA regulations. Overall, this role is central to Forefront’s mission to provide exceptional culinary services that positively impact the health and satisfaction of those they serve, making it ideal for an experienced culinary leader passionate about innovation, leadership development, and operational excellence.

Job Requirements

  • Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
  • 7–10+ years of culinary leadership experience including Executive Chef or Senior Chef roles
  • Experience in Senior Living, Healthcare, Hospitality, or Contract Food Service strongly preferred
  • Proven success managing high-volume or multi-outlet operations
  • Strong financial acumen: food cost, labor management, budgeting
  • Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain large culinary teams
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification required or must be obtained within 90 days of employment
  • Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills

Job Qualifications

  • Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
  • 7–10+ years of culinary leadership experience including Executive Chef or Senior Chef roles
  • Experience in Senior Living, Healthcare, Hospitality, or Contract Food Service strongly preferred
  • Proven success managing high-volume or multi-outlet operations
  • Strong financial acumen: food cost, labor management, budgeting
  • Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain large culinary teams
  • ServSafe Certification (or ability to obtain)
  • Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills

Job Duties

  • Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events
  • Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards
  • Develop and execute seasonal menus, resident-driven programs, and special dining events
  • Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards at all times
  • Champion innovation, resident engagement, and culinary experience enhancement
  • Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance
  • Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and purchasing strategies
  • Implement inventory controls, ordering systems, and waste reduction programs
  • Deliver financial results aligned with contractual and company targets
  • Partner with the General Manager and Regional leadership on performance strategy
  • Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams
  • Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline culinary staff
  • Build strong bench strength, succession planning, and training programs
  • Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride
  • Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action when needed
  • Ensure full compliance with all health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards
  • Lead kitchen sanitation, food safety, and inspection readiness at all times
  • Maintain documentation, training logs, and audit readiness
  • Drive a strong culture of food safety and workplace safety
  • Partner with residents, patients, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction
  • Participate in resident councils, food committees, tastings, and feedback sessions
  • Respond proactively to concerns and continuously improve the dining experience
  • Represent Forefront and the culinary program in a highly professional manner
  • Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives
  • Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities
  • Lead openings, renovations, and concept changes when applicable

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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