Executive Chef (USA Operations)

Armstrong Collective is the parent company of Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, two renowned rail journey providers that craft unforgettable travel experiences through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Western Canada and the American Southwest. These luxury rail tours are known for their exceptional guest service, unique hospitality offerings, and immersive explorations of scenic environments. Armstrong Collective is guided by its core values: Create Meaningful Moments, Be One Team, and Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes. These values shape their workplace culture, emphasizing pride, ownership, and a shared commitment to excellence. The company supports a respectful and inclusive environment where integrity, collaboration, and passion for delivering extraordinary guest experiences are paramount. At Armstrong Collective, the team works hard, supports one another, embraces new possibilities, and celebrates growth to maintain a vibrant and positive work culture.

The role of Executive Chef at Armstrong Collective is crucial in maintaining the high culinary standards that contribute to the company’s reputation for exceptional guest experiences. Reporting directly to the Director of RTR Guest Experience and having a dotted-line accountability to the Director of Culinary Strategy, this position holds the responsibility of leading and executing all Canyon Spirit onboard culinary operations. The Executive Chef ensures the culinary program consistently delivers exceptional, safe, and memorable dining experiences aligned with both guest expectations and business objectives. This role demands a visionary culinary leader who can translate strategy into practical execution, overseeing a dynamic culinary team in a mobile, safety-critical environment such as a moving rail service.

This leadership position requires managing culinary operations onboard through strategic partnership with Culinary Strategy, Operations, Catering, Procurement, and Guest Experience teams to ensure seamless service delivery from menu conception to guest tables. The Executive Chef is not only a decision-maker but also a motivator and mentor, tasked with building leadership capabilities within the culinary team and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Safety is a primary focus, given the operational context involving access to active railway environments where safety protocols and incident prevention measures are rigorously enforced.

The Executive Chef's responsibilities extend beyond culinary excellence to encompass fiscal management, cross-functional collaboration, team engagement, and guest program innovation. This includes developing recipes and menus, overseeing food quality and presentation, managing costs and inventory, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Additionally, the role involves strategic contributions such as goal setting for the culinary team and championing environmental sustainability initiatives like responsible sourcing. The compensation range for this role is $105,000 to $115,000 annually, with eligibility for Armstrong Collective’s bonus program and a comprehensive group benefits plan that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, travel assistance, and paid time off.