Chef Manager - College Campus

Join Our REAL Food Mission! Chef Manager - College Campus |

Location:

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Compensation: $80,000-$85,000 annually + 5% bonus eligibility | Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday (weekends off)

Take charge as Chef Manager and bring bold flavor and leadership to the table! You’ll craft scratch‑made menus, inspire and mentor a dynamic culinary team, and deliver exceptional dining experiences—all while driving efficiency, quality, and innovation in every service. Reporting to the Multi‑Unit Food Service Director, you will serve as the on‑site leader responsible for creating a welcoming, efficient, and student‑focused dining experience.

• Curate and design diverse, innovative menus centered on scratch‑cooked, high‑quality ingredients.
• Integrate nutritional elements and accommodate special diets and resident preferences.
• Lead and inspire a culinary team to deliver excellence in food preparation, presentation, and taste.
• Oversee day‑to‑day kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, cleanliness, and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Streamline processes to enhance overall operational performance and reduce waste.
• Establish and maintain strong vendor relationships to secure fresh, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients.
• Negotiate favorable terms to optimize cost efficiency and maintain budgetary goals.
• Interact with residents and guests to gather feedback and implement customer‑centric strategies.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance team skills and knowledge.
• Collaborate with financial teams to create and manage culinary department budgets.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Culinary degree is preferred but not necessary, and professional experience with a restaurant or college campus management.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in a chef, sous chef, or kitchen manager role with P&L business acumen.
• Food service experience in education, campus dining, restaurant or multi‑outlet environments strongly preferred.
• Excellent culinary skills with a passion for scratch cooking and fresh ingredients.
• Proven ability to manage teams, prioritize tasks, and lead by example.
• Working knowledge of food cost controls, production systems, and menu planning.
• Serv Safe® Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Strong communication skills and commitment to service excellence.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds frequently.
• Serv Safe® and State Food Handler Card (if applicable) required.
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check (State and Federal) and drug screen.

• This job involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and a kitchen environment with fumes, airborne particles, and moderate noise. Employees must have the physical stamina to stand for long periods, lift trays, and perform repetitive tasks. Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, and vibration may occur. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

At Thomas Cuisine, our people are purposeful. They care about food and quality and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well‑being of our healthcare community.

• Life/Work Integration
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Baby Bonding Leave
  • Paid Elder Care Leave
  • Paid Time Off (Accrued)
  • Paid Holidays
• Health & Wellness
  • 3 Medical Plans (Blue Cross)
  • Prescription, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Reimbursed Wellness Massages (Portion of cost)
  • Voluntary HSA with Company Match
  • Voluntary FSA
  • Free Employee Assistance Program (Behavioral Health Support)
  • Access to Wellness Initiatives (Fitness Memberships, etc.)
• Financial Wellness
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Company-Paid Basic Life Insurance
  • Company-Paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy
  • Voluntary Short-Term Disability
  • Voluntary Employee, Spouse, and/or child(ren) Life Insurance, with AD&D
• Plus
  • A supportive, collaborative work environment
  • Opportunities for growth

Founded in 1986, Thomas…