Area Executive Chef

Description

The Area Executive Chef is a regional culinary leadership role responsible for overseeing food and beverage operations across multiple senior living communities within the Charlotte, North Carolina market.

This position is a key component of Cogir’s Collective Culinary Leadership Model, designed to elevate dining quality, improve operational efficiency, and standardize culinary execution across communities.

The Area Executive Chef will provide hands-on leadership, direct operational support, and full accountability for culinary performance across all assigned communities.

Requirements

Culinary Leadership & Standards

• Provide regional oversight of all culinary operations across assigned communities
• Ensure consistent execution of menus, recipes, and presentation standards
• Lead implementation of standardized culinary programs and seasonal menu cycles
• Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, and presentation
• Ensure all communities align with company culinary vision and brand standards

Direct Operational Oversight (Hands-On Leadership)

• Conduct weekly on-site visits to each assigned community
• Work directly alongside kitchen teams on:
• day-to-day operations
• production execution
• service flow
• plating and presentation
• Provide real-time coaching and corrective action as needed
• Identify operational gaps and implement immediate solutions

This role is expected to be highly visible and operationally engaged, not remote or advisory.

Full Responsibility for PRD & Menu Execution

• Maintain full ownership and accountability of food cost (PRD) performance across all assigned communities
• Monitor and manage:
• purchasing practices
• inventory controls
• waste reduction initiatives
• Ensure accurate and consistent execution of approved menu cycles
• Adjust menus and production practices as needed to meet budget and operational goals
• Partner with procurement and vendor teams to optimize product utilization

F&B Program Ownership

• Oversee and ensure execution of all Food & Beverage programs, including:
• daily dining services
• special events and holiday programming
• resident engagement initiatives
• signature menu offerings
• Support rollout and execution of new culinary initiatives and partnerships
• Ensure consistency of dining experience across all communities

Operational Excellence

• Drive efficiency through batch cooking, proper equipment utilization, and workflow optimization
• Train and mentor Chef Managers and culinary teamstation, and execution standards

Training & Development

• Train and mentor Chef Managers, and culinary teams
• Provide ongoing coaching through weekly in-community engagement
• Support onboarding and development of new culinary leaders
• Facilitate adoption of:
• standardized recipes
• cooking programs
• kitchen technology systems

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and company standards
• Maintain audit readiness across all communities
• Reinforce HACCP protocols and documentation standards

Technology & Systems Integration

• Monitor equipment usage, compliance, and performance across communities
• Leverage operational data to improve efficiency and outcomes

Community Engagement

• Partner closely with Executive Directors and community leadership teams
• Participate in resident engagement and special dining events
• Maintain a strong, visible presence within each community
• Support a hospitality-driven dining culture

Staffing & Operational Support

• Provide hands-on support during staffing shortages, transitions, and openings
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, and developing culinary team members
• Support labor planning and staffing structure optimization across communities