EXECUTIVE CHEF - Nexus in Middlesex County (NJ) MCP SFM, LLC LOCATION: Edison, NJ DEPARTMENT: FOOD & BEVERAGE REPORTS TO: FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR STATUS: FULL-TIME (EXEMPT) ABOUT THE COMPANY: Nexus in Middlesex County (NJ) is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Edison, NJ. You will be joining a championship level team focused on fun, fulfillment and service built to enrich the community as well as your career and personal growth. Nexus in Middlesex County (NJ) is a managed facility by Sports Facilities Management, LLC, a Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) company. SFC is the nation's leading resource for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. We provide a highly collaborative and supportive culture that raises our team members to new levels of career growth. Together, we will carve a path in a hyper-growing industry where you will enjoy the journey and learn from the industry's best while having some fun. SFC has been awarded national recognition as a Top Workplace and is considered a workplace of choice. Our mission-focused company is highly entrepreneurial, team-oriented with a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, excellence, and service. We are growing rapidly and looking for high performers at every level to grow with us. POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Chef is the senior culinary leader responsible for all back-of-house food operations across the recreation center's multi-outlet footprint-anchored by a full-service restaurant-along with quick-service/concessions, grab-and-go, café, catering, and special events. This role sets the culinary vision, builds and develops a high-performance kitchen team, ensures consistently exceptional guest experience, and delivers business results through menu engineering, cost controls, food safety, and cross-functional partnership with Front-of-House, Events, and Venue Operations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Lead menu development, tasting and iteration cycles, and seasonal rotations; ensure dishes are costed, scalable, and aligned with guest insights and profitability goals • Uphold best-in-market quality for flavor, presentation, and consistency across all outlets (restaurant, concessions/QSR, café, catering, special events) • Establish and enforce recipe standards, portioning guides, prep lists, and expo protocols; ensure accurate recipe documentation and training compliance • Recruit, train, and mentor Sous Chefs, BOH Supervisors, Cooks, Prep, Pastry (if applicable), and Utility/Dish teams • Own culinary P&L levers: food cost, labor cost, waste, and controllables; meet or exceed targets through disciplined inventory, purchasing, and production planning • Maintain procurement standards: negotiate with purveyors, source high-quality local/seasonal products, and ensure on-time, in-spec deliveries • Oversee inventory controls (par levels, cycle counts), invoice accuracy, transfers, and waste tracking; drive accurate weekly/monthly closes with Finance • Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained, calibrated, and safe; coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs • Ensure compliance with Health Code and state requirements; uphold policies to achieve and maintain an "A" grade • Implement and audit HACCP-based procedures, allergen management, labeling, cooling logs, and sanitation checklists; conduct mock inspections and corrective actions • Enforce OSHA-compliant practices, knife/hood/grease management, and safe chemical handling • Provide clear shift briefings, prep priorities, and expo leadership; communicate proactively across departments to ensure a seamless guest experience. • Report weekly on KPIs, wins, risks, and action plans; contribute to annual planning and budgeting • Performs other related duties as assigned by management MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • 7+ years progressive BOH leadership with 3+ years as Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine in an elevated, chef-driven, scratch kitchen preferred • Demonstrated success overseeing multi-outlet or high-volume operations (restaurant + catering/events; QSR/concessions a plus) • Expert-level culinary fundamentals, menu development, and plating standards for elevated dining; strong knowledge of regional/seasonal sourcing • Proven financial acumen: food/labor cost control, menu engineering, inventory systems, and vendor negotiations • Must be available on weekends, holidays, nights, and days • Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision • Effective time management skills • Prior experience/education in food industry, scratch kitchens (pizza, deli, food hall) WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT: • Working environment is fast paced • Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds infrequently • Limited exposure to physical risk • Limited physical effort required