Executive Chef

Are you a hands-on culinary leader who takes pride in quality, consistency, and building a high-performing kitchen team?

Joseph’s Classic Market is known for fresh, made-from-scratch prepared foods crafted daily with care. Our Executive Chef leads the heart of our Prepared Foods operation - ensuring every recipe is executed with precision, every standard is upheld, and every guest receives the quality they expect. From hot bar and grab-and-go to catering and seasonal menus, this role sets the tone for excellence in execution, food safety, and team performance.

Growth & Learning at Joseph’s

At Joseph’s Classic Market, we believe in growing leaders from within. As Executive Chef, you’ll have the opportunity to shape menus, develop culinary talent, and drive operational excellence. You’ll your leadership skills in food cost control, labor management, production planning, and multi-department collaboration. Many of our leaders grow within the company, and we value those who bring both structure and creativity to their role.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Operations

Supervise daily production of all prepared foods including hot bar, grab-and-go, soups, salads, entrees, and catering

Ensure all recipes are followed accurately and consistently, maintaining Joseph's quality standards

Maintain proper portioning, ingredient prep, cooking times, and food presentation

Schedule production to meet sales forecasts and peak traffic times

Oversee special menus for holidays and events

Food Safety & Sanitation

Enforce strict adherence to food safety regulations (e.g., ServSafe, HACCP, temperature logs)

Maintain clean and organized prep areas, coolers, and storage areas

Monitor and document hot/cold holding temperatures, cooling procedures, and shelf life

Lead weekly deep-cleaning and sanitation schedules

Prepare department for internal audits and health inspections

Inventory & Cost Control

Order ingredients and supplies from approved vendors based on par levels and menu planning

Maintain organized inventory systems for dry goods, fresh ingredients, and prepared items

Track usage and minimize food waste through effective prep and repurposing plans

Manage food cost targets and labor productivity

Monitor catering supply inventory and coordinate with front-end teams

Team Leadership

Hire, train, and lead cooks, prep staff, and kitchen porters

Provide ongoing coaching and feedback; conduct performance reviews

Monitor department attendance and ensure associates adhere to scheduled shifts and company timekeeping policies, addressing any attendance or punctuality concerns promptly and consistently

Follow up on performance or attendance issues with proper documentation and corrective action when necessary, including disciplinary action forms, notes to file, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to support accountability and improvement within the department

Lead daily pre-shift huddles with culinary team

Foster a culture of accountability, pride, and teamwork

Catering & Guest Service

Oversee production and packaging of catering orders (corporate, events, holidays)

Ensure accuracy, presentation, and on-time readiness of all catered food

Respond to last-minute catering changes or high-volume demands professionally

Support customer service team with product knowledge and cross-department coordination

Reporting & Communication

Submit weekly production, waste, and labor reports to Store Manager

Participate in department head meetings and seasonal menu planning

Communicate clearly with deli, bakery, meat, and grocery teams for product planning

Develop prep guides, batch logs, and training materials for new team members

Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in culinary/kitchen environments (preferably in retail or catering)

Culinary degree or food service certification preferred

ServSafe or food safety certification or willingness to obtain

Strong knowledge of food safety, kitchen operations, and recipe execution

Bilingual English/Spanish required

Ability to lift 50 lbs, stand for long hours, and work in hot/cold conditions

Excellent communication, time management, and leadership skills

Flexible availability including weekends, holidays, and evenings

Physical & Work Environment

This role operates primarily in a fast-paced kitchen and retail food environment. Work includes standing for extended periods, exposure to heat, refrigeration, wet floors, and heavy kitchen equipment. The schedule includes early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Frequent interaction with team members and department leaders is expected.

Why Join Joseph's Classic Market?

Joseph's Classic Market is known for its fresh, high-quality prepared foods made from scratch daily. As Executive Chef, you'll be part of a passionate team committed to tradition, taste, and excellence. We value your creativity, leadership, and dedication to bringing comfort and flavor to every guest experience.

Benefits Include:

Positive Work Environment

Competitive Pay

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off & Personal Days

20% Employee Discount

We’d love to tell you more.

If you have questions about the role, growth opportunities, or what it’s like to lead our Kitchen department, we encourage you to reach out. We’re always happy to share more about how you can learn, grow, and thrive at Joseph’s Classic Market.

As part of our hiring process, we ask all candidates to complete a brief Predictive Index (PI) assessment. This helps us understand your strengths and how you may thrive within our team.

You can complete the assessment here:

Interview Process

At Joseph’s Classic Market, we utilize VidCruiter as part of our interview process. This platform allows candidates to complete video interviews at their convenience, giving our hiring team the opportunity to better understand your experience and qualifications early in the process.

Employment Eligibility

Joseph’s Classic Market participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization for all new employees. As part of the hiring process, employment eligibility will be verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.