University of Michigan

Executive Chef

University of Michigan$75K — $95K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts
  • Minimum of 7 years of culinary management experience
  • Strong knowledge of culinary techniques and kitchen operations
  • Experience in managing food safety and regulatory compliance
  • ServSafe Manager Certification required within 90 days of hire
  • Demonstrated leadership and staff management experience

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily culinary operations in three kitchens
  • Ensure food quality, safety, and regulatory compliance
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and proper working conditions
  • Supervise and develop culinary staff, fostering accountability
  • Conduct staff performance evaluations and compliance checks
  • Contribute to budget planning and quality improvement initiatives
  • Analyze operational data to identify improvement opportunities

Benefits

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage from day one
  • 2:1 match on retirement savings
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Executive Chef provides culinary and operational leadership for three Patient Food Service kitchens across the Michigan Medicine campus, overseeing all aspects of food production, food safety, kitchen operations, and culinary team management. The Executive Chef is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient meals, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and exceptional patient experience throughout healthcare foodservice operations.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and hands-on culinary leader with strong experience in large-scale food production, healthcare patient meal service, recipe and menu development, team development, and quality improvement initiatives

Responsibilities*

Culinary & Operational Leadership
  • Lead daily culinary operations, including food procurement, storage, preparation, production, holding, and meal delivery.
  • Oversee food quality, presentation, temperature monitoring, and food safety compliance.
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness, sanitation, equipment functionality, and safe working conditions.
  • Ensure appropriate use and maintenance of kitchen equipment and supplies.
  • Support continuous improvement efforts to enhance efficiency, productivity, and service quality.

Team Leadership & Staff Development
  • Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and develop culinary and patient food service staff.
  • Supervise Sous Chefs and frontline team members while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, coaching conversations, and corrective actions as needed.
  • Ensure employee compliance with organizational policies, mandatory training, and health requirements.

Safety, Compliance & Quality
  • Ensure compliance with HACCP standards, Michigan Food Code, and all food safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Contribute to budget planning, policy development, and departmental quality improvement initiatives.
  • Collect and analyze operational data to measure performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications*
  • Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts.
  • Minimum of 7 years of culinary management experience.
  • Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, menu planning, food production systems, inventory management, budgeting, and kitchen operations.
  • Experience managing food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance within large-scale foodservice operations.
  • Knowledge of the FDA Food Code and safe food handling practices.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification within the last 5 years or obtained within 90 days of hire.
  • Demonstrated leadership and staff management experience.

Desired Qualifications*
  • Master's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
  • Experience working with the CBORD Food Service Management System.
  • Healthcare foodservice or hospital culinary leadership experience preferred.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?
  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Work Schedule

Monday- Friday

40hr

8:00 am-4:30 pm

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

279088

Working Title

Executive Chef

Job Title

Chef Top Executive

Work Location

Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Um Hospital

Department

MM Patient Food/Nutr Svcs

Posting Begin/End Date

6/22/2026 - 7/06/2026

Career Interest

Hospitality

About University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit, as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state. The school moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (781 acres or 3.16 km²), and has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about University of Michigan
Size
50,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1817

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