Multi-Unit Executive Chef

Join the Leadership Team at Pumpernickel's

Pumpernickel's is seeking an experienced, passionate, and results-driven Multi-Unit Executive Chef to provide leadership and operational oversight across multiple restaurant locations. This role is responsible for ensuring exceptional food quality, operational consistency, team development, and guest satisfaction while driving performance and profitability throughout the organization.

The successful candidate will partner closely with General Managers and restaurant leadership teams to maintain company standards, strengthen operational efficiency, and build high-performing teams that deliver outstanding guest experiences.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about developing people, maintaining quality standards, and supporting multi-unit restaurant operations.

Hands-On Leadership

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role. The Multi-Unit Executive Chef is expected to lead by example, working alongside both front-of-house and back-of-house teams when needed. The successful candidate will actively support restaurant operations, assist during peak service periods, provide staffing support, coach team members, and ensure operational excellence through direct involvement in daily restaurant activities.

Key Responsibilities

Multi-Unit Operations Leadership

• Oversee daily restaurant operations across multiple locations.
• Ensure consistent execution of food quality, presentation, recipes, portion control, cleanliness, and service standards.
• Support both front-of-house and back-of-house teams to maintain operational excellence.
• Monitor location performance and implement strategies to improve efficiency, guest satisfaction, and profitability.
• Partner with management teams to achieve sales, labor, food cost, and operational goals.
• Travel regularly between locations to provide leadership, support, and operational oversight.

Recruitment, Staffing & Team Development

• Lead recruitment efforts for culinary and restaurant team members across all locations.
• Conduct interviews, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations.
• Build strong, engaged teams through coaching, mentorship, and ongoing development.
• Identify future leaders and support succession planning initiatives.
• Coordinate staffing resources across locations to ensure consistent operational coverage.
• Address staffing challenges proactively and effectively.

Training & Quality Assurance

• Develop and implement training programs for culinary and restaurant teams.
• Ensure team members are properly trained in food preparation, recipe execution, service standards, food safety, and operational procedures.
• Conduct regular operational and quality audits.
• Evaluate food quality, consistency, presentation, cleanliness, and adherence to company standards.
• Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback to support continuous improvement.

Menu Execution & Culinary Standards

• Support menu rollouts and new product launches across all locations.
• Ensure recipes, preparation methods, and presentation standards are executed consistently.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to maintain and enhance service and culinary excellence.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations, sanitation standards, health department requirements, and company policies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, cleanliness, and workplace safety.
• Conduct regular food safety training and compliance reviews.

Inventory Management & Cost Control

• Oversee inventory management, purchasing procedures, and product utilization.
• Monitor food costs, labor costs, and operating expenses.
• Implement initiatives to reduce waste and improve profitability.
• Analyze operational performance data and recommend improvements.

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records related to training, staffing, audits, compliance, and operational performance.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Track key performance indicators and support continuous operational improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Formal culinary education and/or extensive Executive Chef experience.
• Proven experience managing operations across multiple restaurant locations.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, training, developing, and leading restaurant teams.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of restaurant operations, kitchen management, and quality control.
• Thorough understanding of food safety regulations and sanitation standards.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food and labor costs.
• Proficiency with scheduling, inventory management, and operational systems.
• Ability to travel regularly between restaurant locations.
• Passion for hospitality, leadership, and operational excellence.

Compensation & Benefits

Job Type

• Full-Time – On site

Additional Compensation

• Performance Bonus Program
• Tips

Benefits

• Employee Discount Program
• Flexible Scheduling

Schedule

• Monday to Friday
• Occasional evenings and weekends as required
• Regular travel between locations

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

The Multi-Unit Executive Chef is responsible for supporting and enhancing restaurant operations across all locations through effective leadership, talent development, quality assurance, food safety compliance, cost management, and operational excellence.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate hospitality leader who thrives in a hands-on, multi-unit environment and is committed to developing exceptional teams and delivering outstanding guest experiences, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to: erivasplata@pumpernickels.ca

Subject Line: Multi-Unit Executive Chef Application

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pumpernickel's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all employees.

Work Location: In person