Senior Area Executive Chef

Role Overview: Senior Area Executive Chef - Universities (Multi-State Region)

Sodexo Universities is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Area Executive Chef to lead culinary excellence across LA, MS, AR, TX, OK, and KS. This is a high-impact, visible role requiring approximately 75% travel. You will serve as the culinary leader for the region, supporting multiple sites, leading special events, and driving innovation and consistency across university dining programs.

What You'll Do

• Lead and inspire culinary teams across multiple locations
• Create innovative, trend-forward menus using sustainable and local ingredients
• Support VIP events, presidential catering, and new account openings
• Partner with operations teams to elevate food quality, presentation, and service
• Ensure strong food safety standards and financial performance across accounts

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Experience leading large-scale, high-volume culinary operations (university experience preferred)
• Strong client presence with the ability to build relationships at all levels
• Proven creativity paired with excellent execution skills
• Passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing diverse teams
• Strong financial acumen, including food and labor cost management
• Certified Executive Chef (CEC) preferred

Additional Details

• Candidates may live anywhere within the region
• Opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking, high-performing team

What You'll Do:

• be responsible for purchasing, menu compliance, inventory, food cost analysis and food production forecasting
• ensure Sodexo Culinary standards including recipe compliance and food quality are implemented
• have the ability and willingness to develop and motivate team members to embrace culinary innovations
• ensure food safety, sanitation and workplace safety standard compliance
• have working knowledge of automated food inventory, ordering, production and management systems

What We Offer: Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring:

• a strong culinary background, with the demonstrated ability to stay current with new culinary trends
• excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to maintain the highest of culinary standards
• strong coaching and employee development skills
• have a passion for food and innovation.

Who We Are: At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form .

Qualifications & Requirements: Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years