Chef Manager

Job Description

Chef Manager | Healing Institute | Gabriola Island, British Columbia

What if your next culinary leadership role offered more than a kitchen to lead?

We're looking for an experienced Chef Manager to oversee culinary operations at a wellness and recovery-focused retreat centre located on beautiful Gabriola Island, British Columbia.
This is an opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys balancing exceptional food, meaningful guest experiences, and operational leadership. Guests visit the Healing Institute to focus on personal growth, recovery, healing, and well-being, making food an important part of their journey and daily experience.

As the most senior Aramark leader on site, you'll play a key role in culinary excellence, hospitality, client relationships, team leadership, and operational performance.
If you're passionate about creating memorable dining experiences while leading a team in a unique island setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Responsibilities

What You'll Do
As Chef Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day food service operation while helping create an environment that supports wellness, hospitality, and guest satisfaction. You'll:

• Lead, coach, and develop the culinary and food service team
• Oversee daily food production and be comfortable working alongside the team in the kitchen when needed
• Ensure food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction remain top priorities
• Support menu planning that aligns with wellness-focused programming, dietary accommodations, and guest preferences
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, ordering, and waste control
• Oversee scheduling, labour planning, and daily operational execution
• Maintain strong food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards
• Support retreat programming, special events, and catered functions
• Build positive relationships with guests, client stakeholders, and the on-site team
• Monitor operational and financial performance, including labour and food cost targets
• Act as the primary Aramark contact on site and support a strong client partnership
• Contribute ideas and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance both the guest and employee experience

Qualifications

What We're Looking For
We'd love to meet culinary leaders who bring:

• 3+ years of leadership experience within a culinary, hospitality, food service, resort, retreat, or healthcare environment
• Strong culinary skills and the ability to lead a high-quality operation from both the kitchen and management perspective
• Experience managing food costs, labour, inventory, and operational performance
• A genuine passion for coaching and developing team members
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working directly with clients or stakeholders in a service environment
• The ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions
• A diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Management, or a related field is preferred
• Food Safety certification is required
• Red Seal certification is considered an asset
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel

Why This Opportunity Is Different
This isn't a traditional restaurant role.
Guests aren't simply dining out. They're spending time focused on healing, wellness, learning, and personal growth. Food plays an important role in creating comfort, community, and a positive overall experience.
We're looking for someone who understands that hospitality is about more than serving meals. It's about creating an environment where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and supported.

Location
This role is based on Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Candidates should be comfortable working in a close-knit island community and travelling via ferry as required.
This position includes physical requirements such as extended periods of standing and walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Uniforms and personal protective equipment may also be required.
You'll also have the opportunity to lead in a unique island setting where building strong relationships, adapting to changing priorities, and creating memorable guest experiences are all part of the role.

Education

About Aramark

What We Offer You

Time to Recharge: Three weeks of paid vacation for all new salaried hires, plus 3 personal/flex days dedicated to your mental health and well-being.
Comprehensive Health Benefits (No Waiting Period!): From day one, enjoy coverage for dental, prescriptions, vision, massage therapy, and more—because your health matters.
Future Security: A Self-Directed Pension Plan where every dollar you contribute is matched by Aramark—helping you grow your retirement savings faster.
Well-Being Support: Access Aramark’s Employee Assistance Program for confidential resources and support for you and your family whenever you need it.
Inclusive Community: Be part of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where we celebrate diversity, build connections, and support one another.
Continuous Learning: Benefit from Educational Assistance to support your growth, plus scholarships for your children entering post-secondary studies.
Career Growth: Clear career path planning and development opportunities tailored to your skills and aspirations.
Safe & Supportive Workplace: We are deeply committed to providing a safe, healthy, and positive work environment for all.

At Aramark, we empower our people to create moments that matter through exceptional hospitality experiences. We serve more than a dozen industries with pride and passion, building community, connection, and careers all around the world.

You'll be surrounded by some of the most innovative minds in the industry and powered by our shared mission to pursue what matters. Here, you'll have the opportunity to do great things for our people, our planet, our partners and our communities. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and enable your growth. Supported by committed leadership, you'll be empowered to try new things and find solutions to tough problems. No matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is to help you reach your full potential and pursue what matters.

The pay range for this position is $80,000.00 - $90,000.00.