Executive Chef 2
Company : Sodexo
Location : Cincinnati, OH, 45221
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 28 December 2025
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.
Sodexo is seeking an Executive Chef for the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. The best-qualified Executive Chef will be able to balance a strategic, program-driven approach with strong, hands-on kitchen experience and the ability to achieve results through others. A critical element of the role is accessibility for the staff, which is achieved by being on the floor during service times and showing strong leadership ability. This position manages all aspects of back-of-the-house operations, including ordering, inventory, staff training, and development, and has a significant involvement in sustainability and local purchasing programs.
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 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
- High-volume, quality-focused culinary management experience, preferably within a campus dining setting;
- Innovative and creative Catering background;
- 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 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 2 years 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
In Cincinnati, Executive Chef 2 positions demand a blend of strategic oversight and active kitchen involvement. Successful chefs stay accessible on the floor during service, guiding teams directly while managing operations like inventory and menu compliance, ensuring both leadership presence and culinary excellence.
Executive Chef 2 professionals often leverage campus dining leadership into roles such as regional culinary directors, food service consultants, or corporate chef positions. Building expertise in high-volume environments like Cincinnati’s university settings provides a strong foundation for growth in food operations management.
While an associate degree is typical, Ohio employers prefer candidates with HACCP certification and management training. Strong computer skills and proven experience in food cost control further distinguish Executive Chef 2 applicants in Cincinnati’s diverse culinary job market.
Sodexo requires Executive Chef 2s to integrate sustainability programs and local purchasing within a fast-paced university setting. This mix of operational rigor and community-focused initiatives differentiates Sodexo roles from typical executive chef positions in the Cincinnati area.
At Sodexo, Executive Chef 2s emphasize hands-on leadership and open communication, often training staff directly on the kitchen floor. This approach fosters collaboration and ensures adherence to culinary standards while supporting staff development in Cincinnati’s dynamic campus environments.
Executive Chef 2s in Cincinnati typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually, aligning well with regional averages. Factors like experience, education, and Sodexo’s benefits package can elevate compensation, making it a competitive market for culinary leadership roles in Ohio.
Cincinnati’s growing university and hospitality sectors create steady demand for executive chefs, especially those with campus dining experience. Candidates with culinary management skills and leadership in high-volume kitchens find a favorable hiring landscape in this city.
Cincinnati blends Midwestern hospitality with innovative food trends, offering executive chefs a vibrant culinary scene. The city’s work culture values community engagement and sustainability, aligning well with Sodexo’s ethos for Executive Chef 2 roles in campus dining.
Yes, Sodexo invests in career development through tuition reimbursement and leadership training. Executive Chef 2s benefit from structured growth paths and wellness programs, fostering long-term success within the company’s extensive food service network.
Daily tasks include overseeing menu design, managing food and labor costs, and ensuring compliance with culinary standards. Executive Chef 2s also innovate new concepts and stay engaged with staff, balancing administrative duties with hands-on kitchen leadership.