EXECUTIVE CHEF - Food Service - Lansing Public School District, MI
Compass Group, North America, Lansing, MI, United States
Executive Chef
Chartwells K12’s goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent.
Job Summary
We are seeking an inspirational, kid‑focused Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across the school district. This highly respected role ensures nutritious, high‑quality meals that appeal to diverse student populations while upholding the highest standards for consistency, presentation, food safety, and sanitation.
The Executive Chef mentors and develops the culinary team through hands‑on leadership and training, encouraging creativity within K‑12 nutrition guidelines. Partnering closely with on‑site chefs and district leaders—including Dining Services, Marketing, and Finance—you’ll support menu planning and execution that enriches the student dining experience, minimizes waste, and drives overall program success.
Key Responsibilities
Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines
Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality
Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards
Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned
Maintains inventory of food and non‑food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed
Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within Company guidelines for such products
Complies with federal, state and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third‑party audits
Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting
Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate
Preferred Qualifications
A.S. or equivalent experience preferred
Minimum of three plus years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
Catering experience a plus
High volume, complex foodservice operations experience—highly desirable
Institutional and batch cooking experiences
Hands‑on chef experience a must!
Comprehensive knowledge of food trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E‑mail and the Internet
ServSafe certified—highly desirable
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance/ AD
Disability Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
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Chartwells K12’s goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent.
Job Summary
We are seeking an inspirational, kid‑focused Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across the school district. This highly respected role ensures nutritious, high‑quality meals that appeal to diverse student populations while upholding the highest standards for consistency, presentation, food safety, and sanitation.
The Executive Chef mentors and develops the culinary team through hands‑on leadership and training, encouraging creativity within K‑12 nutrition guidelines. Partnering closely with on‑site chefs and district leaders—including Dining Services, Marketing, and Finance—you’ll support menu planning and execution that enriches the student dining experience, minimizes waste, and drives overall program success.
Key Responsibilities
Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines
Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality
Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards
Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned
Maintains inventory of food and non‑food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed
Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within Company guidelines for such products
Complies with federal, state and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third‑party audits
Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting
Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate
Preferred Qualifications
A.S. or equivalent experience preferred
Minimum of three plus years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
Catering experience a plus
High volume, complex foodservice operations experience—highly desirable
Institutional and batch cooking experiences
Hands‑on chef experience a must!
Comprehensive knowledge of food trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E‑mail and the Internet
ServSafe certified—highly desirable
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance/ AD
Disability Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
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