Job Title: Head Chef
Job Location: Santa Ana-USA-92626
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $86,417.73 - 108,021.41
About us
The Opportunity
The Head Chef plays a vital leadership role at SkyChefs, helping drive a culture built on teamwork, excellence, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to our airline customers. Working closely with the Executive Chef, the Head Chef helps lead daily kitchen operations, supports and develops culinary teams, and ensures the highest standards of food quality, safety, and consistency. When the Executive Chef is away, the Head Chef seamlessly steps in to lead the operation, ensuring business continuity and a positive team environment. This role also serves as the primary leader for Sous Chefs, providing coaching, guidance, and support while fostering a collaborative workplace where employees can grow and succeed. For someone passionate about food, people, and operational excellence, the Head Chef role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage starting Day 1
• Employer‑paid life insurance and AD&D benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free meals and parking
• Career growth opportunities with a global organization
How You'll Make a Difference
In this role, you will:
- Lead and support hot and cold food production teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Ensure recipes, food quality standards, and presentation expectations are consistently met.
- Monitor production levels, inventory, and food supplies to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.
- Partner with culinary leaders to develop new menu items and bring fresh ideas and food trends into the operation.
- Help resolve customer concerns by identifying solutions and driving continuous improvement.
- Coach, train, and develop kitchen team members to build skills, confidence, and career growth.
- Support menu tastings, presentations, and special events for internal and customer audiences.
- Maintain organized food storage areas and ensure proper product rotation to minimize waste.
- Champion food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards at all times.
- Verify the quality of ingredients and products received from suppliers.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture that reflects Sky Chefs' values.
- Help manage labor, food, and operational costs while supporting efficiency and productivity goals.
- Encourage innovation and continuous improvement by identifying new ideas, best practices, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support quality initiatives, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
What You Bring to the Table
- Five years of experience in commercial cooking.
- Apprenticeship or Graduation from an accredited culinary school
- Additional certifications (e.g. diet chef, industrial chef, design chef,) or equivalent professional experience preferred
- Certification with the American Culinary Federation a plus
- Knowledge of food and hygiene regulations (example: HACCP)
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Service orientation
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications
SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.