Operations Manager-Executive Chef

Akron, OH, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee wellness programs

Job Description

Akron Children's Hospital is a renowned healthcare institution dedicated to providing exceptional medical care to children and their families. Established as a leader in pediatric healthcare, Akron Children's Hospital combines cutting-edge medical technology with compassionate care to enhance the health and well-being of its young patients. With a commitment to innovation, education, and community engagement, the hospital operates a range of specialized services designed to meet the unique needs of children. As a significant employer in the region, Akron Children's Hospital fosters a collaborative environment that supports professional growth and excellence in patient care. This environment reflects a culture that values integrity, respect, and compassion across its workforce and operations.

The role of Culinary Operations Manager at Akron Children's Hospital is a full-time, onsite leadership position responsible for overseeing all food service operations throughout the hospital enterprise. This position serves as the primary culinary leader, tasked with guiding the enterprise in food safety, menu and product strategy, production planning, and maintaining food quality standards. The Culinary Operations Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring that all culinary services align with both patient nutritional requirements and business objectives. Responsibilities include managing food purchasing, vendor relations, departmental budgeting, and ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations. The manager supports a team of culinary professionals by providing leadership, performance management, training, and development opportunities. This role requires a detailed focus on maintaining the highest standards of food safety through HACCP plans and ServSafe certifications, along with developing innovative menus that cater to diverse patient and retail customer needs. This position also collaborates closely with Clinical Nutrition specialists to incorporate healthy eating principles into patient menus and retail food operations. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in culinary operations within high-volume or complex food service environments, possess advanced skills in menu development, food presentation, and creative culinary design, and demonstrate effective leadership abilities in managing multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and a valid driver's license are essential for success in this role. The Culinary Operations Manager will directly impact patient satisfaction, nutritional outcomes, and operational efficiency within the hospital’s food service departments, contributing significantly to Akron Children’s Hospital's mission of providing outstanding care to its patients.

Job Requirements

Associate degree in Culinary Arts
minimum three years of relevant culinary or food service experience
ServSafe certification
three years of supervisory experience
proficiency in Microsoft Office applications or similar
valid State driver's license and ability to maintain insurability
annual physical with Akron Children's Hospital Employee Health Department
ability to work onsite full-time
excellent leadership and communication skills
experience in healthcare food service preferred

Job Qualifications

Associate degree in Culinary Arts with a minimum of three years of relevant culinary or food service experience
Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts preferred
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field may be accepted with five years of relevant culinary or food service experience
ServSafe certification required
Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) preferred
three years of relevant experience
three years of supervisory experience
experience in culinary operations across high-volume or complex food service environments
expertise in food presentation, menu development, purchasing, inventory control, short-order cooking, and room service operations
proficiency in Microsoft Office applications or comparable software
ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels

Job Duties

Provides enterprise culinary leadership by planning, directing, and overseeing all kitchen and food production operations across Food & Nutrition Services
develops and maintains menus, recipes, and production standards to ensure food quality, consistency, nutritional alignment, and customer satisfaction
leads food safety and regulatory compliance, including HACCP plans, ServSafe standards, allergen management, and adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations
manages department financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, expense control, and alignment with business and strategic goals
oversees food purchasing and specifications, including vendor selection, product standards, and collaboration with leadership on sourcing decisions
ensures proper use, maintenance, and repair of kitchen equipment, coordinating work orders and facility needs as appropriate
supports people leadership and performance management by coaching managers, assessing culinary competencies, supporting corrective action plans, and participating in performance evaluations
leads development and execution of retail food concepts, ensuring offerings align with customer needs, business plans, and budgetary parameters
monitors and enforces food quality standards using sales trends, menu performance, and customer and patient feedback to guide continuous improvement
partners with Clinical Nutrition to incorporate healthy eating principles into patient menus and retail food operations
other duties as required