Role Overview:
At Sodexo, we believe in delivering exceptional culinary experiences that prioritize quality, safety, and operational excellence—especially in healthcare environments where food plays a vital role in patient recovery and satisfaction.
We are seeking an accomplished Executive Chef 4 to lead culinary operations at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), York Street Campus in New Haven, CT.
The Executive Chef 4 is a senior culinary leader responsible for driving operational, financial, and quality performance across patient and retail dining services. This role is approximately 80% administrative and 20% frontline culinary, combining strategic oversight with hands-on leadership.
You will lead a dynamic team of up to 100 union employees, ensuring excellence in food quality, safety, team engagement, and operational efficiency within a complex, high-volume healthcare environment.
What You'll Do:
- Ensure high-quality patient and retail meals that meet Sodexo standards for taste, presentation, and consistency
- Maintain strict adherence to HACCP, ServSafe, Joint Commission, and regulatory standards
- Lead and develop a team of managers and frontline employees, fostering growth and accountability
- Effectively manage within a union environment (1199 experience preferred; large union experience required)
- Build a positive, high-performance culture that drives retention and morale
- Oversee food and labor costs, inventory, procurement, and contract compliance
- Drive efficiency across patient services and retail operations while managing multiple priorities
- Partner with hospital leadership and cross-functional teams to achieve strategic and operational goals
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:
- 5+ years of administrative leadership experience in healthcare culinary operations
- Proven experience managing large, unionized teams (1199 experience strongly preferred)
- Demonstrated success leading multi-level teams, including managers and frontline staff
- Strong background in high-volume food service operations
- Expertise in food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance
- Experience with budgeting, inventory management, and procurement
- Passion for team development, coaching, and engagement
- Ability to commit long-term and help evolve and grow the program
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 - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years
