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Chef Manager Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef - Banquets

Ames, IA · On-site

$48K - $66K/yr

Attend weekly kitchen management team meeting. Assist in monthly inventory. Maintain a positive and ... You must have a minimum 2 years of experience as a Sous Chef or 3 years restaurant, hotel, country ...

Join us at Story County Medical Center as a CHEF within our Senior Care Center! Located in Nevada, Iowa, we deliver top-quality healthcare across multiple specialties in a community-focused setting.

Join us at Story County Medical Center as a CHEF within our Senior Care Center! Located in Nevada, Iowa, we deliver top-quality healthcare across multiple specialties in a community-focused setting.

* Prepare fresh ingredients for cooking according to recipes/menu * Cook food and prepare top-quality menu items in a timely manner * Test foods to ensure proper preparation and temperature * Operate ...

Food Service Worker

Granger, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

Taher, Inc. is a family-owned and operated, chef-driven, food service management company specializing in K-12 school lunch management in our growing nationwide footprint. Taher, Inc. maintains a ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

... Chef, discarding product that does not meet these standards, and bringing questionable items to the attention of the kitchen management team for their input. Follow established documentation ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

... Chef, discarding product that does not meet these standards, and bringing questionable items to the attention of the kitchen management team for their input. * Follow established documentation ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

... Chef, discarding product that does not meet these standards, and bringing questionable items to the attention of the kitchen management team for their input. • Follow established documentation ...

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits ...

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits ...

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits ...

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits ...

Dietary Aide

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $16/hr

Strong ability to work independently and manage meal service for 20 residents. * Some food service ... Reports any discrepancies in his/her area to executive chef. * Delivers and retrieves food carts to ...

Dietary Aide

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $16/hr

Strong ability to work independently and manage meal service for 20 residents. * Some food service ... Reports any discrepancies in his/her area to executive chef. * Delivers and retrieves food carts to ...

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Chef Manager information

See Ames, IA salary details

$28.9K

$59.7K

$85.6K

How much do chef manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for chef manager in Ames, IA is $59,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,900.00 and $69,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chef manager?

A Chef Manager is a culinary professional responsible for both the preparation of food and the management of kitchen operations. They oversee menu planning, ingredient sourcing, food safety, and staff supervision, ensuring that the kitchen runs efficiently and meets quality standards. Chef Managers often balance hands-on cooking with administrative duties like budgeting, scheduling, and inventory control. Their role is essential in restaurants, catering companies, and institutional kitchens to guarantee consistent and high-quality food service.

What is a chef manager?

A chef manager is a supervisor in the kitchen area of a restaurant. As a chef manager, you are responsible for helping the kitchen staff perform efficiently. Your duties include establishing standard menu options and recipes, ordering the food and supplies necessary to make these dishes, and overseeing kitchen and line staff by hiring, firing, and training team members as required. Qualifications for this career include extensive kitchen experience and leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chef manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chef Manager, you need strong culinary expertise, menu planning skills, and experience in kitchen operations, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with inventory management systems, food safety standards, and cost control software is typically required. Leadership, communication, and time management are crucial soft skills for effectively managing kitchen staff and ensuring smooth service. These skills are vital for maintaining high food quality, operational efficiency, and a positive team environment.

How does a chef manager balance culinary creativity with administrative responsibilities in their daily role?

As a Chef Manager, you will need to juggle hands-on food preparation and menu development with tasks like staff scheduling, inventory control, and budgeting. This balance often means dividing your day between the kitchen and the office, ensuring food quality and safety standards are met while also keeping operations efficient and cost-effective. Collaboration with kitchen staff, front-of-house teams, and suppliers is key to maintaining smooth service and meeting customer expectations. Developing strong organizational and communication skills will help you thrive in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Chef Manager vs Sous Chef?

AspectChef ManagerSous Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent, culinary certificationsCulinary degree or equivalent, culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees kitchen operations, manages staff, plans menusAssists head chef, supervises kitchen staff, prepares dishes
Employer & Industry UsageHotels, restaurants, catering services, healthcare facilitiesRestaurants, hotels, catering, institutional kitchens
Primary ResponsibilitiesKitchen management, menu planning, staff supervisionFood preparation, supporting head chef, quality control

The main difference between a Chef Manager and a Sous Chef is that the Chef Manager has broader responsibilities including managing the entire kitchen operation, staff, and menu planning, while the Sous Chef primarily supports the head chef with food preparation and kitchen supervision. Both roles require culinary credentials and are common in similar work environments, but the Chef Manager holds a more managerial position.

How much does a chef manager earn?

A chef manager's salary typically ranges from $45,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the establishment. They often oversee kitchen staff, manage food quality, and handle administrative tasks, which can influence compensation levels.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Ames, IA?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Ames, IA are:

What are popular job titles related to Chef Manager jobs in Ames, IA?

For Chef Manager jobs in Ames, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Chef Manager jobs?

Cities near Ames, IA with the most Chef Manager job openings:

EXECUTIVE CHEF 2- Iowa State University Greek House Chefs

Ames, IA • On-site


GREEK HOUSE CHEFS INC
Traveler Accommodation • 51 - 200 employees

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 68 rated caterers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


$23 - $30/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Summary/Objective:

The Executive Chef is responsible for managing/directing for all culinary activities for the GHC Kitchen they are employed in. This position will oversee all activity in the kitchen, train personnel under them, plan menus, oversee product purchasing and manage culinary budget. The Executive Chef will communicate with the house and GHC management consistently to ensure that all clients are happy and accommodated.

Essential Functions:

  • Ensures overall health of the account is positive and in good standing
  • Plans and directs food preparation and culinary activities
  • Modifies menus or create new ones that meet quality standards
  • Assists in recruiting and managing kitchen staff
  • Manages employee’s schedules and hours
  • Manages the GHC App
  • Ensures the overall cleanliness of your kitchen meets and exceeds GHC health and equipment cleaning standards
  • Makes periodic and regular inspections of units to observe quality of food preparation and service; food appearance; and cleanliness and sanitation of production and service areas, equipment, and employee appearance.
  • Coordinates all training activities for kitchen, and other production and service employees, including the identification and analysis of training needs and the design and implementation of programs to address these deficiencies.
  • Follows proper training manual procedures for equipment item requests. Properly filling out the document and submitting it to your superior before house submission.
  • Develops recipes and portion specifications in accordance with GHC standards with, nutritional needs, product specifications, ease of preparation and established procedures and budgetary constraints; participate in other menu planning activities to include the determination of purchasing specifications, product and recipe testing and menu development.
  • Creates and submits menu two weeks ahead to the GHC app for approval.
  • Submits budget on the GHC App by given time each week.
  • Checks with Campus Manager on weekly reports of app reviews
  • Schedules and attends food committee reviews at least once a month to ensure that the expectations of the house are being met.
  • Maintains a pleasant appearance and always be in a clean GHC Blue Embroider chef coat while in the kitchen.
  • Minimum work week of 40-45 hours.
  • Receives trucks and check for quantity and quality
  • Keeps availability open for up to 3 special events per semester. It is a requirement for all chefs to be present for these events. As the Executive Chef you will plan these events in accordance with the house’s specifications.
  • Maintains positive and professional working relationships with all vendors, directs, and clients, always.
  • Works with management to establish account specific service procedures. Implement, train, correct as needed to all levels below or as needed.
  • Abides with all scheduling and time management protocol as assigned by GHC management.
  • Monitors schedule and time management responsibilities of self and onsite staff.
  • Demonstrates strong knowledge of GHC Handbook
  • Transfers to other worksites as deemed necessary by management
  • Performs other duties as assigned
Abilities
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Education and/or Experience:
  • 2-3 years Lead Sous or Executive Chef experience and/or culinary degree preferred.
Language Skills:
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals communicated in English.
Technology
  • Compliance software -
  • Data base user interface and query software -
  • Inventory management software -
  • Greek House Chefs App –
Tools
  • Commercial use blenders -
  • Commercial use broilers -
  • Commercial use convection ovens -
  • Commercial use cutlery - Boning knives; Chefs' knives
  • Commercial use deep fryers –
  • Commercial use mandolin slicers –
Skills
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Ability to communicate with chefs and students.
  • Ability to judge quality and quantity of raw and cooked items.
  • Knowledge of workplace safety procedures.
  • Instructing- Teaching others how to do something.
  • Negotiation- Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Social Perceptiveness- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Work Activities
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Work Context
  • Spend Time Standing - Continually or almost continually
  • Face-to-Face Discussions – Every day
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - Every day
  • Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - Every day
  • Contact With Others - Constant contact with other.
Work Styles
  • Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  • Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
  • Serv Safe Certification within the first available class scheduled following employment. Maintain certification through duration of employment.
  • Valid food handler’s card required
Physical Demands:
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
  • Ability to stand over 2/3 of the time.
  • Ability to walk over 2/3 of the time.
  • Ability to lift up to 50lbs. under 1/3 of the time.
  • 90% Standing
  • 50% Walking
  • 10% Sitting
  • 50% Talking
  • 50% Hearing/Listening
  • 50% Using Hands to Finger...
  • 15% Stooping, Kneeling...
  • 75% Tasting or Smelling
  • 50% lifting: Up to 10 Pounds
  • 25% lifting: Up to 25 Pounds
  • 15% lifting: Up to 50 Pounds
  • 10% lifting: Over 50 Pounds


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