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Role Overview
You want high visibility, challenging opportunities and a rewarding environment.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!
Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking a Maritime Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, ME. This unique role oversees residential dining, retail food service, and catering during the academic year and transitions to an onboard role for 74 days each summer, sailing internationally on a training ship.
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The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-volume food service, maritime or military culinary operations, and food cost & waste management. While at sea, the Executive Chef will oversee food service for 600+ people, ensuring efficient meal production, inventory management, and compliance with maritime safety and sanitation standards.
Schedule: Land-based during the academic year; 74 days at sea (May 2026 voyage)
Incentives
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities:
- On Land (Academic Year):
- Oversee residential dining, retail food service, and catering at Maine Maritime Academy.
- Plan, develop, and execute nutritious, cost-effective menus for students and faculty.
- Supervise and train culinary teams, ensuring high-quality food production.
- Manage food costs, inventory, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
- At Sea (74-Day Training Voyage - May 2026):
- Lead and manage all culinary operations aboard a 600-person training vessel.
- Ensure efficient production of high-volume meals (not gourmet dining) for students, faculty, and crew.
- Work within limited storage and resupply constraints, optimizing food usage.
- Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and maritime health regulations (HACCP, USPH standards).
- Adapt to international resupply logistics while traveling to foreign ports.
- Provide leadership and training to onboard kitchen staff.
- Follow a 3-day port schedule, allowing employees 24-hour shore leave per stop.
What We Offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring
- 5+ years of Executive Chef experience in high-volume food service, preferably in maritime, military, or offshore catering.
- Experience managing large-scale kitchen operations, ideally in a mariner industry setting (naval bases, oil rigs, cruise lines, merchant ships, or military vessels).
- Strong knowledge of food cost control, inventory management, and waste reduction strategies.
- Ability to work in a high-pressure, remote environment with limited access to supplies.
- Understanding of maritime food safety regulations, HACCP, and ServSafe certification.
- Exceptional leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable with long periods at sea and working within a rotational schedule.
Who We Are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.