Executive Chef III - Stryker (San Jose, CA)

Join Our Culinary Team As an Executive Chef in San Jose, CA

As the Executive Chef, you will lead all kitchen operations while fostering a safe, sanitary, and high-performing culinary environment at Stryker in San Jose, CA. You will be responsible for preparing—and directing the preparation of—exceptional meals in alignment with corporate programs, standards, and guidelines. This role oversees a dynamic, high-volume, multi-station café operation with an active catering program, offering the opportunity to showcase culinary leadership, creativity, and operational excellence.

Ideal candidate should be local or within a reasonable daily commute to San Jose, CA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines
• Follows standardized recipes, portioning, and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety, and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards
• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follow and complete schedules as assigned
• Maintains inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed
• Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products, staying within the Company guidelines for such products
• Complies with federal, state, and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third-party audits
• Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures, including occurrence reporting
• Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications:

• A.S. or equivalent experience
• Ideal candidates local or within a reasonable daily commute to San Jose, CA
• Minimum of three to five years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience
• Catering experience is required 
• High volume, complex foodservice operations experience is required for this role
• Experience managing and leading a culinary team
• Institutional and batch cooking experiences
• Hands-on chef experience is a must
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Outlook, E-mail, and the Internet
• ServSafe certified - highly desirable

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate culinary leader to step into a high-profile Executive Chef role within a fast-paced, high-volume dining environment. The position offers the chance to lead a multi-station café and catering operation at a premier corporate account, while making a meaningful impact through culinary excellence, leadership, and innovation.