Chef Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: San Ramon Program Chef 

Job Status: Full-time Exempt

Brigaid Supervisor: Regional Chef 

Location: Danville, CA

Compensation: $90,000 plus full benefits

We’re hiring a Program Chef to lead our work with San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD)! SRVUSD serves nearly 29,000 students across Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo, and San Ramon, California. The district includes 22 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 4 high schools.

Since 2016, we’ve been redefining what it means to be a successful chef by partnering with institutional foodservice programs across the US. Our team brings the systems and solutions to help kitchens consistently and confidently prepare high-quality meals. Demand for our services is growing faster than ever. In the past 5 years alone, we’ve expanded from a team of 5 chefs to a coast-to-coast network of 80 and counting. 

Overview

Program Chefs are full-time Brigaid employees embedded within partner districts to strengthen and transform foodservice programs. They lead daily kitchen operations, train and support staff, and improve food quality and systems in alignment with Brigaid’s mission and district goals. Though each district operates differently, all Program Chefs share a core purpose to build sustainable capacity that endures beyond Brigaid’s direct involvement. 

Core Responsibilities

Training and Leadership

• Provide hands-on culinary, food safety, and operational training to foodservice staff. 
• Model high standards for food quality, organization, and professionalism.
• Coach staff through observation, direct feedback, and skill-building.
• Participate in meetings with district leadership and other stakeholders.
• Develop and manage project plans that support increased scratch cooking – including equipment upgrades, menu pilots, training initiatives, and kitchen organization.
• Coach Managers on work flow and time management skills.

Menu and Recipe Development

• Develop, test, and refine recipes that comply with National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines.
• Lead menu rollouts across sites, incorporating feedback from students and staff.
• Conduct tastings and adjust menus based on participation and satisfaction data.

Operations

• Ensure meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, within budget, and in compliance with NSLP requirements.
• Maintain accurate records, including production logs, purchasing documentation, and HACCP compliance.
• Implement systems for kitchen organization, food storage, and serving line setup.
• Adhere to USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requirements and Department of Health regulations. 

Procurement and Inventory

• Support product sourcing and vendor selection.
• Recommend and order smallwares and equipment.
• Oversee proper delivery, storage, rotation, and management of food and supplies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain consistent communication with Regional Chef and leadership, and share best practices with other Brigaid staff. 
• Participate in team-wide meetings, peer group meetings, and regular check-ins with supervisors as required. 
• Share best practices and contribute to training materials and chef development initiatives.
• Represent Brigaid at community or district events such as back-to-school nights and career fairs as appropriate. 

Qualifications

• At least five years of professional cooking experience, including a minimum of two years in a supervisory role.
• Strong leadership, teaching, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. 
• ServSafe Manager certification or successful completion of Brigaid-sponsored certification during onboarding.
• Completion of a Brigaid-sponsored allergen training course upon hire. 
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, inventory management, and food safety protocols.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Zoom.
• Proficiency with or willingness to learn foodservice management software such as Titan or PrimeroEdge
• Successful completion of required background checks before start date.
• Commitment to Brigaid’s mission and values.

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to travel across sites in an efficient manner (with the possibility of carrying kitchen/culinary equipment during this travel)
• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds
• Ability to walk around and stand for long periods of time
• Proof of a negative skin prick TB test 

Why Us:

Our goal is for every team member to feel empowered and excited by their work. We cheer each other on, celebrate big and small wins, and foster professional growth through a comprehensive leadership training series. 

We’re proud to offer: 

• 100% company-paid health insurance for you and your family — a gold level plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield with a platinum level plan buy-up option as well
• 100% company-paid dental insurance for you and your family through Guardian
• 100% company-paid vision insurance for you and your family through Guardian
• 100% company-paid short- and long-term care insurance through Guardian
• 8 paid vacation days to start
• 17 paid company holidays 
• 6 paid sick days
• A 401k with a 4% company match and immediate vesting

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume. We’ll contact qualified candidates to participate in a first-round, 30-minute Zoom interview. After that, selected candidates will be invited to a 3-hour in-person practical interview in Danville, CA. To be considered, you must be able to attend this in-person interview. A travel stipend of $250 will be offered to each candidate living more than 120 miles away from Danville. Should you live farther than 120 miles from Danville and get offered the position, we will support your relocation to an area commutable to Danville by providing you with a one-time, lump sum $5,000 moving stipend (subject to tax). 

Please note: We read every application! However, due to the high volume of applicants, our team is only able to contact qualified candidates. Although we appreciate your excitement, we kindly ask that you refrain from emailing or calling us about your application status. Thank you!

We’re an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or creed, disability, political or sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under state or federal law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA to perform the essential functions of the job.