Executive Chef

Job description: Position Overview Rita’s Catering is looking for a hands-on, creative, and experienced Executive Chef to lead our high-volume, fast-paced kitchen. From breakfast boxes and corporate lunches to social events and airline catering, you'll oversee production across multiple food stations while driving innovation, efficiency, and team development.

Primary Duties & Expectations Ordering and managing food inventory for all departments, including accurate quantity forecasting and quality control Ensuring consistent food quality across all menus, services, and events Managing staffing, scheduling, and time management for all culinary employees Monitoring and controlling overtime, labor efficiency, and overall labor costs Partnering with the Controller to ensure food cost targets, margins, overhead, and per-minute/per-plate performance metrics are achieved Ensuring all culinary operations meet sanitation standards and remain fully compliant with FDA regulations and applicable state and local health requirements Enforcing uniform, grooming, and professional attire standards for all kitchen and food service employees Developing, maintaining, and reviewing menus and menu pricing to ensure appropriate margins and operational efficiency Implementing and enforcing portion control standards across all departments Creating, maintaining, and enforcing standardized recipes, culinary guides, and preparation procedures Establishing and managing schedules for culinary staff and supporting team leadership and accountability Supporting all events and service operations to ensure quality, consistency, and execution This role is ideal for a chef who thrives in a dynamic environment, loves building strong teams, and is passionate about consistently delivering high quality food with exceptional presentation.

Essential Job Functions Food Production & Quality

• Oversee prep and execution across all kitchen areas: hot line, deli, platters, bakery, airline, and more.
• Ensure food is consistently high in quality, taste, and appearance.
• Lead and train kitchen staff to uphold Rita’s standards at every step. Menu & Product Development
• Design and update seasonal and event-specific menus.
• Collaborate with our Bakery Manager to align baked goods with seasonal themes and events. Social Catering & Event Support
• Work closely with the Sales team to customize menus and staffing for client events.
• Provide on-site support for major events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and guests are happy. Inventory & Ordering
• Manage kitchen inventory, maintaining par levels and using FIFO best practices.
• Handle purchasing and vendor communication to keep kitchens well-stocked and cost-efficient. Team Development & Training
• Promote cross-training and skill growth within the team.
• Ensure staff is trained in food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen systems. Operational Excellence
• Keep production on schedule to meet daily and event timelines.
• Monitor labor and food costs while maintaining product quality.
• Work with the Operations team to enforce cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment. Kitchen Cleanliness & Maintenance
• Ensure all kitchen and prep areas are kept clean, organized, and up to health standards.
• Partner with the Operations team to maintain equipment cleaning schedules and ensure functionality.
• Promote a culture of cleanliness, safety, and accountability throughout the kitchen. Sales Collaboration
• Maintain open lines of communication with Sales to support client needs.
• Help troubleshoot last-minute requests and ensure successful event execution.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a culinary or catering leadership role
• Strong background in high-volume food production
• Creative menu planning and trend awareness
• Strong understanding of Rita’s products, clients, and pace of service
• Serve Safe & Allergen Awareness certifications
• Tech-savvy: familiar with catering software and Microsoft Office Key Skills
• Strong leadership and team-building ability
• Excellent time management and organization
• Customer-focused with a hospitality mindset
• Deep understanding of food safety and kitchen operations Additional Information This job description is not all-inclusive, and additional duties may be assigned as necessary. The final salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Job Type: Full-time Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance Work Location: In person