Salary: $90,000 - $100,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefits Package
Job SummaryThe Senior Chef Manager is responsible for leading both the culinary and food service operations at Vermont Academy, a distinguished coeducational boarding and day school in Saxtons River, Vermont, serving approximately 237 students in grades 9-12. This role ensures exceptional standards of food quality, safety, sustainability, and guest satisfaction while serving as the senior on-site culinary and operational leader. The position combines hands-on culinary leadership with comprehensive oversight of front- and back-of-house operations, including menu development, purchasing, inventory management, financial performance, labor management, staff development, and regulatory compliance. The Senior Chef Manager is accountable for maintaining a high-quality dining program while driving operational excellence, mentoring a diverse team, and fostering strong client relationships within the school community. This position also provides leadership for catering operations, special events, and campus functions while serving as a key strategic partner to school administration. The ideal candidate is a skilled culinarian and accomplished operator with a passion for hospitality, scratch cooking, sustainability, and team development.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead all aspects of culinary operations, including menu planning, food production, presentation, quality assurance, and sanitation.
- Oversee daily front- and back-of-house food service operations to ensure an exceptional dining experience.
- Manage purchasing, inventory control, receiving, vendor relationships, and product quality standards.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP standards, food safety regulations, health department requirements, and company policies.
- Collaborate with culinary and operational teams to develop innovative, student-centered menus featuring seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
- Maintain full P&L accountability, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, food cost management, and labor cost controls.
- Analyze operational and financial performance metrics and implement action plans to achieve business objectives.
- Lead all hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, training, succession planning, and performance management activities.
- Conduct employee meetings, training programs, performance evaluations, and career development planning.
- Mentor supervisors and frontline associates to build bench strength and support long-term talent development.
- Oversee catering operations, special events, and community functions, ensuring flawless execution and customer satisfaction.
- Partner with school leadership and key stakeholders to strengthen client relationships and enhance the dining experience.
- Lead administrative functions including payroll, invoicing, weekly reporting, month-end close processes, and compliance documentation.
- Ensure high standards of cleanliness, merchandising, signage, menu displays, and overall dining presentation.
- Champion a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, hospitality, and continuous improvement.
- Support regional and company initiatives, pilot programs, and operational best-practice implementation.
- Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:- Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive culinary and food service management experience, preferably within school dining, contract foodservice, hospitality, or other high-volume operations.
- Previous experience in a Senior Chef Manager, Executive Chef, Chef Manager, or comparable leadership role preferred.
- Strong understanding of P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and contract-managed service environments.
- Proven expertise in menu development, production planning, purchasing, inventory management, and cost controls.
- Extensive knowledge of HACCP standards, food safety regulations, sanitation practices, and proper food storage procedures.
- Demonstrated success managing large teams and developing leaders within a food service operation.
- Experience leading catering programs, special events, and high-profile client functions.
- Knowledge of culinary trends, sustainability initiatives, and exhibition-style cooking in guest-facing environments.
- Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and point-of-sale systems.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong client relationship management abilities.
- ServSafe Certification preferred.
- Ability to lift, bend, and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
Apply to Flik today!Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA
Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic 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
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FISD.pdf
Req ID: FISD
STEPHANIE FREER
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