Executive Chef

Opening

If you are looking for an exciting career with a stable company that focuses on family, culture, and innovation in the hospitality industry, we invite you to apply. This is a confidential search for an Executive Chef at an upscale/fine dining restaurant in Northeast Ohio. Seeking a numbers-driven culinary leader who can run BOH operations independently, build a strong team, and elevate systems, execution, and profitability. Total pay package $90K–$125K which includes health benefits. In addition there is a bonus program + 401(k) match +2 weeks paid vacation & relocation assistance.

About the Opportunity

A respected fine dining restaurant in Northeast Ohio is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Executive Chef to lead back-of-house operations, elevate execution, strengthen kitchen systems, and build a high-performing culinary team.

This is an opportunity for a chef-operator who combines strong culinary leadership with operational discipline. The right candidate will be capable of leading kitchen operations at a high level, developing future kitchen leaders, and using systems and technology to improve efficiency, consistency, and profitability.

What You Will Own

• Full leadership of back-of-house operations
• Food quality, presentation, consistency, and service execution
• Food cost management, purchasing discipline, and inventory systems
• Labor planning, scheduling, and BOH productivity
• Hiring, coaching, training, and retention of a strong kitchen team
• Development of sous chef, kitchen manager, and line cooks
• Sanitation, safety, and clean operational standards
• Use of systems, reporting, and technology to improve execution and profitability
• Collaboration with ownership and leadership on menu development, specials, and long-term operational improvement

What We Are Looking For

• Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or similar senior BOH leadership experience
• Proven success managing food cost, labor, and kitchen systems
• Ability to lead a team independently with high standards
• Strong communication, accountability, and coaching skills
• Experience building bench strength and developing future leaders
• Financial and operational discipline, not just culinary creativity
• Comfort with structured management rhythms, and metrics
• Fine dining or high-standard upscale experience strongly preferred
• Culinary grad with strong culinary expertise with cooking methods or equivalent

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Calm and steady under pressure
• A builder of teams and systems
• Strong in both execution and accountability
• Focused on consistency, cleanliness, organization, and culture
• Comfortable making decisions and owning results
• Interested in a long-term leadership opportunity, not just the next title

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary of $80,000–$120,000, based on experience and fit
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Benefits package
• 401(k) match
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate
• Moving expenses and transition support available by agreement
• Contract structure may be available for qualified relocation candidates

Why Northeast Ohio

• Affordable housing and a lower overall cost of living than many larger metro markets
• Strong public, private, and parochial school choices across the region
• Access to multiple communities and lifestyle options throughout Northeast Ohio
• A quality-of-life opportunity for candidates seeking stability, family value, and long-term growth

Confidential Search

This position is being managed as a confidential search on behalf of a client. Company details will be shared later in the process with qualified candidates.

To be considered, applicants must submit a resume and a brief written response to the questions below. Applications submitted without direct answers will not be reviewed.

1. Describe your current or most recent role, including annual sales volume, team size, and the leadership positions that reported to you.
2. What were your most recent food cost %, BOH labor %, and prime cost results? Briefly explain the actions you took to influence those results.
3. Describe one manager, sous chef, or key team member you developed successfully. What was their starting point, what did you coach, and what was the result?
4. This role is in Northeast Ohio and may include relocation support. If selected, would you be willing and able to relocate within the expected start timeline? If yes, outline your ideal timeline and what support you would require.
5. This role has a total compensation range of $80,000–$125,000 (Including benefits) plus bonus. Are you comfortable proceeding within that range?