Executive Chef, Production

Overview

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are. In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Responsibilities

• Oversee product quality in a mass production kitchen
• Validate consistent, premium taste, appearance, and performance of every meal leaving our high-volume kitchen
• Implement and adhere to gold standards of food quality and food safety
• Prepare weekly cook schedules and review/approve payroll in collaboration with HR
• Consistently maintain standards of quality, cost, eye appeal, and flavor of foods
• Check all processes before production time and inspect the presentation of food items to ensure quality standards are met
• Cook with RTH production manager to ensure all ingredients are available when needed
• Train and lead team members through the prep, cooking, and cooling processes
• Train, coach, and develop sous chef staff, including weekly 1:1 sessions for their growth and development
• Evaluate and train employees, ensure sanitation and safety, menu planning, and related production activities
• Develop training programs and provide professional development opportunities for all kitchen staff
• Work with Corporate R&D chefs on ingredient and menu continuous improvement opportunities
• Ensure the execution of new recipes, training and oversight of kitchen staff to implement new recipes, and collaborate with the R&D team to improve existing recipes
• Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications
• Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement
• Document and progress track lot information, CCP’s, sensory results, and yields
• Sign off on Assembly Production Sheets, ensuring that meal plating is visually appealing
• Ensure batches are properly recorded in Progress Tracker

Qualifications

• 6+ years’ experience in a commissary kitchen and high-volume food preparation
• A High School Diploma or GED or related work experience
• American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred
• Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
• Familiarity with USDA/FDA guidelines
• Skills in planning, organizing, prioritizing, and executing projects and activities
• Passion for helping people achieve their goals and improve themselves
• Knowledge of HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and USDA regulations