Executive Chef

SSP Group

• $80K — $85K *
Hospitality & Recreation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in food & beverage operations.
  • Culinary degree or equivalent professional training.
  • Proven experience developing kitchen managers and culinary leaders.
  • Strong restaurant management background with multi-unit experience.
  • Solid understanding of food cost, labor management, and financial performance.
  • Excellent coaching and communication skills.
  • Ability to work well in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead culinary program and food production across YVR restaurant operations.
  • Coach and develop kitchen managers and culinary teams for peak performance.
  • Recruit and train culinary talent, establishing a leadership pipeline.
  • Set standards for food quality, presentation, and kitchen operations.
  • Identify performance gaps in collaboration with operations leaders and implement solutions.
  • Monitor key financial metrics to enhance profitability.
  • Work with culinary teams on menu development and execution standards.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Benefits

  • Impactful leadership role within a major airport operation.
  • Dynamic environment with multiple restaurant concepts.
  • Opportunities for building and strengthening leadership teams.
  • Career advancement potential in a leading food travel company.
  • Competitive total rewards including health benefits, RRSP match, and paid time off.
Full Job Description
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) | Executive Chef

$80,000-$85,000 CAD + Bonus

Bring your culinary leadership to one of Canada's busiest airports.

SSP Canada is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to provide culinary leadership across our food and beverage operations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). This is a senior culinary leadership role responsible for providing direction, development and accountability to kitchen leadership while driving culinary performance across the YVR operation.

This is more than a kitchen management role. We're looking for a hands-on culinary leader who can develop kitchen leadership teams, elevate food quality and execution, strengthen operational standards, and drive consistent performance across a dynamic, multi-unit airport environment.

Working closely with the Director of Operations and restaurant leadership team, you'll provide the culinary direction, accountability and coaching needed to deliver exceptional food experiences while balancing quality, safety, labor and financial performance.

What You'll Do
  • Lead the culinary program and food production standards across assigned YVR restaurant operations.
  • Coach, develop and hold kitchen managers, supervisors and culinary teams accountable for execution and performance.
  • Recruit, train and develop culinary talent while building succession plans and a strong leadership pipeline.
  • Establish consistent standards for food quality, presentation, recipe execution and kitchen operations.
  • Partner with restaurant and operations leaders to identify performance gaps and implement sustainable solutions.
  • Monitor food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory and other key financial measures to improve profitability.
  • Work with brand partners and culinary teams on menu development and execution standards.
  • Ensure rigorous food safety, sanitation, workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Build a culture of accountability, communication and continuous improvement.
  • Remain visible and hands-on in the operation, particularly during high-volume periods.


What We're Looking For
  • 5+ years of progressive culinary and food & beverage leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary training/experience.
  • Demonstrated experience leading and developing kitchen managers and other culinary leaders, not simply managing an hourly kitchen team.
  • Strong full-service restaurant experience; experience supporting multiple restaurants or concepts is highly desirable.
  • Strong understanding of food cost, labor management, inventory, purchasing, budgeting and P&L performance.
  • Proven ability to establish standards and create accountability through other leaders.
  • Strong coaching, communication and relationship-management skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with multiple competing priorities.
  • Food safety certification and ability to obtain all required airport/security clearances.


Why Join Us?
  • Leadership Impact: Take on a key senior leadership role within one of SSP Canada's major airport operations.
  • Dynamic Environment: Lead multiple restaurant concepts in the fast-paced environment of Vancouver International Airport.
  • Develop Leaders: Build and strengthen a management team while creating succession and growth opportunities.
  • Career Growth: Join one of the world's leading food travel companies with opportunities to continue advancing your operational leadership career.
  • Competitive Total Rewards: Salary, bonus opportunity, health and dental benefits, paid time off, RRSP with company match and Employee Assistance Program.


Ready to Apply?

If you're an experienced multi-unit restaurant leader ready to take on broader operational responsibility and lead through other leaders, we'd like to hear from you.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at SSP Group

More Hospitality & Recreation Jobs

Find similar Executive Chef jobs: