Chef de Cuisine, Banquets

Work Mode: Onsite – Kohler, WI

About the role

This position is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of a single-unit culinary operation, ensuring product quality, service standards, and profit goals meet or exceed Kohler Co.’s luxury benchmarks. The Chef de Cuisine manages daily culinary execution, leverages technology for cost control, and fosters a high-performance culture through training and development of a professional culinary team.

Responsibilities

• Quality Control & Innovation
  • Develop and maintain standardized recipes, plating guides, and menu costing to ensure consistency and profitability.
  • Inspect all products daily to uphold resort standards; collaborate with purchasing to source the highest quality local and national ingredients.
  • Drive "Zero-Waste" initiatives by monitoring food waste and creatively managing inventory to reduce the kitchen’s environmental footprint.
  • Ensure 100% compliance with health department regulations and internal safety audits daily.
• Financials & Technology
  • Utilize EATEC for daily ordering, receiving, and physical inventory counts to maintain accurate COGS (Cost of Goods Sold).
  • Monitor monthly sales mix reports and labor productivity to make data-driven adjustments to menus and scheduling.
  • Participate in the annual budgeting process and manage expenses (Food, Labor, and Operating Expenses) as a percentage of Net Sales.
• Safety & Risk
  • Maintain a safe working environment through regular training on safety procedures, reducing workplace injury and associated costs.
• Personnel & Culture
  • Train and develop team members on technical skills; create individualized development plans to prepare associates for future growth.
  • Maintain a professional, inclusive work environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and psychological safety.
  • Integrate new associates through a rigorous "On-the-Job Training" (OJT) program to ensure immediate alignment with resort standards.
  • Provide the tools, materials, and feedback necessary for the team to achieve excellence in their assigned tasks.
• Production & Brand Engagement
  • Demonstrate and teach advanced food handling and preparation techniques to the line staff.
  • Stay current with global and national culinary trends to provide "Market-Leading" menu ideas.
  • Participate in the Kohler Demonstration Kitchen series, PR opportunities, and high-profile resort special events.
  • Maintain a "hands-on" presence, assisting in production and service whenever operational volume requires backup.
• Leadership Responsibilities
  • Serve as the strategic leader focusing on the P&L, menu vision, and team "Pathing."
  • Fully responsible for execution of the annual budget, capital expenditure (CapEx) requests, and long-term profit maximization.
  • Directly supervise Cooks I-IV as well as exempt Chefs.
  • Own the creative process for menu development, ensuring all items are costed and engineered for maximum contribution margin.
  • Develop the professional "succession plan" for the restaurant’s management team.

Requirements

• At least seven years of experience in award-winning/high-volume kitchens; prior experience managing exempt (salaried) Chefs.
• Graduate of a culinary institute (Associate Degree) or completion of an ACF-equivalent apprenticeship program is highly desired.
• Food Manager Certification (ServSafe or equivalent) is required (or must be obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and F&B Management software (EATEC experience is a significant plus).
• Able to stand, twist, and walk for up to 10 hours; able to lift 50 lbs; able to work in extremes of heat/humidity common in a commercial kitchen.
• Must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Benefits

Kohler offers day 1 benefits, meaning you’ll have access to applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job with no waiting period. The company provides a competitive total rewards package to support health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $79,900 - $121,900. The specific salary offered may be influenced by factors including the candidate’s experience, education, and work location. This position is also eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.