Executive Chef / Kitchen Manager

Indianapolis, IN, USA|

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $75,500.00 - $95,500.00

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

performance bonuses

Professional Development

Job Description

P.F. Chang's is a renowned upscale restaurant chain known for its Asian-inspired cuisine, commitment to quality ingredients, and exceptional dining experience. With a strong presence across multiple locations, P.F. Chang's combines traditional flavors with innovative culinary techniques to deliver a memorable meal to each guest. The company prides itself on fostering a supportive community among its staff and promoting from within to encourage professional growth. As a full-time salaried position, the Executive Chef or Head Chef at P.F. Chang's plays a crucial role in leading the kitchen team, ensuring the highest standards of food preparation, safety, and presentation. The salary range for this role is $75,500 to $95,500 annually, depending on experience.

The Executive Chef or Head Chef, also referred to as the Executive Kitchen Manager (EKM), is responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations to maintain impeccable culinary standards and drive operational excellence. This role requires managing the hiring, training, scheduling, and performance of the culinary team and kitchen staff. The chef works closely with the restaurant Operating Partner or General Manager to ensure that inventory, food costs, and kitchen financials are controlled effectively.

In this dynamic position, the Executive Chef handles the development and continual education of the sous chefs and kitchen staff. Key responsibilities include managing inventories, preparing prep lists and ordering guides, complying with health and safety regulations, and maintaining kitchen equipment. This individual must ensure proper food order timing and production while upholding dress code standards and food quality across all kitchen stations.

The role demands strong communication and organizational skills, leadership ability to identify and develop future leaders, and the physical capacity to work in a fast-paced environment for long hours standing, walking, and lifting. P.F. Chang's values hands-on experience in high-volume kitchens and prefers candidates with culinary degrees or certifications, bilingual skills, and exposure to upscale scratch kitchen concepts.

This position offers competitive pay and benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k), paid time off, monthly and annual performance bonuses, professional development through paid management training programs, employee referral bonuses, exclusive discounts, holiday closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and access to financial assistance programs. Working at P.F. Chang's means joining a passionate team dedicated to celebrating life, family, and food while enjoying meaningful work and opportunities for career advancement.

Job Requirements

3+ 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, delivering large catering orders, making supply runs, local restaurant marketing, attending offsite training and business meetings, and traveling between restaurant locations to support operations
experience in managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials
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 effectively executing training
strong communication and organizational skills
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 it might be necessary to lift 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

Culinary degree or culinary certificate preferred
experience managing a team and identifying and developing employees for future leadership roles
experience working in a hands-on, fast paced, high volume environment
experience in managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials
experience facilitating and effectively executing training
strong communication and organizational skills
bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
previous front of house restaurant management experience preferred
experience working in an upscale scratch kitchen concept preferred

Job Duties

Accountable for operational excellence in the kitchen
delegates tasks and gives direction to all kitchen staff
conducts interviews with kitchen management and staff candidates
selection, orientation and continual development of all sous chefs and kitchen staff
prepares work schedule for sous chef and kitchen staff
on-going preservation of safety certification requirements for all kitchen staff
responsible for managing inventory, cost of goods and overall control of financials
responsible for health inspections
supervises and facilitates all training for all food prep and execution of menu items, procedures, and recipes to all kitchen staff
ensures proper timing and production for food orders
on-going performance appraisals for sous chefs and kitchen staff
holds kitchen staff accountable for dress code standards
responsible for maintaining all product quality standards
responsible for maintaining expected food costs and inventory
oversees or completes all prep lists and ordering guides
completes opening and closing checklists
responsible for maintenance and repairs of kitchen equipment and facility
responsible for knowing how to work all kitchen stations proficiently
accountable for providing a clean and safe environment for both team members and guests