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Executive Chef 1
Company : Sodexo
Location : Johnson City, TN, 37604
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 10 January 2026
Role Overview
Working together, supporting your team, and reaching high-end for the best in a high-volume, high-paced environment is second nature to you.
Schedule: Sunday - Thursday (12 pm - 10 pm)
Sodexo is seeking an Executive Chef at ETSU in Johnson City, TN. East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Dining Services is a dynamic, multi-unit program serving over 17,000 students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors daily. Dining at ETSU features The Dining Hall, catering services, concessions, and several innovative National and local retail concepts such as Peppers Grill, The Blended Pedaler, and Just Baked smart vending. The program emphasizes culinary excellence, food safety, sustainability, customer service, and innovation, aligning with the university’s mission to provide an exceptional student experience.
The Executive Chef I will join a highly collaborative leadership team dedicated to delivering best-in-class dining through culinary creativity, operational consistency, and student-centered service. This role offers the opportunity to directly influence menu development, quality standards, and team training across multiple locations while supporting ETSU’s strategic vision for dining excellence.
What You'll Do
- Ensure Sodexo Culinary standards including recipe compliance and food quality are implemented;
- Have a working knowledge of automated food inventory, ordering, production, and management systems;
- Implement those systems and ensure ongoing compliance across campus. Oversee concept development, menu design, and the implementation of new culinary concepts;
- Driving innovation and excellence in the university's dining program to meet the diverse needs and tastes of the student body and staff;
- Promote customer loyalty and brand image, diagnose customer needs, and recommend appropriate products or services.
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
- Exemplary communication skills with the ability to lead a large team;
- Strong organizational skills -detail-oriented and task-focused; able to manage conflicting priorities
- Possesses strong leadership skills and hands-on training approach with an ability to effectively communicate with culinary staff, key personnel, Catering Staff, and Management team
- Experience in successfully managing food and labor costs, strong computer skills, and HACCP training skills
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 - Associate's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 2 years Minimum Functional Experience – 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
Leading culinary teams at a busy campus like ETSU means balancing creativity with operational efficiency. In Johnson City, the role demands expertise in high-volume food preparation, managing diverse menus, and fostering student-centered service while maintaining Sodexo’s quality and safety standards.
An Executive Chef 1 typically blends hands-on culinary expertise with strategic oversight, including menu innovation, quality control, and team leadership. Unlike line cooks, this role requires strong organizational skills, food cost management, and the ability to implement automated inventory systems.
Starting as an Executive Chef 1 can lead to senior executive chef roles, regional culinary management, or corporate chef positions. Gaining experience in multi-concept operations and leadership in institutions like ETSU enhances prospects for expanded responsibilities and higher pay.
Sodexo’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community wellbeing shapes this Executive Chef 1 role by emphasizing respect, innovation, and collaboration. The culture values employee input, fostering a supportive environment that drives culinary excellence aligned with university goals.
Sodexo encourages sustainable practices through menu design and sourcing policies, challenging the Executive Chef 1 to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly ingredients. This aligns with ETSU’s mission to offer responsible dining options while maintaining food quality.
Compensation for Executive Chef 1 roles in Johnson City typically ranges from $55,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience and education. Sodexo’s equitable pay structure also factors in relevant culinary certifications and leadership skills.
Employers often favor candidates with HACCP certification and culinary management credentials for Executive Chef 1 roles here. Knowledge of automated food inventory systems is also highly valued to ensure compliance and efficiency in institutional kitchens.
Johnson City offers relatively manageable traffic and multiple transport options, but proximity to ETSU campus is ideal for Executive Chefs to manage early prep and late shifts effectively. Local housing near the university can improve work-life balance.
Unlike independent restaurants, the Sodexo Executive Chef 1 position centers on multi-unit management, large-scale menu development, and institutional compliance. It requires balancing culinary creativity with operational consistency across diverse dining concepts.
Sodexo offers comprehensive benefits like 401(k) matching, tuition reimbursement, and wellness programs, which are often more extensive than smaller employers. Career growth is supported through leadership development and multi-unit exposure in dynamic campus settings.