Head Chef - Westerly : Job Details

Apply now to be a part of our growing company during an exciting phase as we open a second Westerly location!

Westerly a family-owned, Seattle-based meal prep delivery company is expanding to San Francisco and hiring a Head Chef to lead operations in our brand-new facility.We create ready-to-eat, gluten-free and dairy-free meals using seasonal, whole ingredients and deliver them contact-free to our customers.

This is not just another head chef job it s an opportunity to help launch and shape a new kitchen, build and mentor a strong team, and ensure thatevery step of our meal production process runs smoothly, efficiently, and with excellence.

About the Role:

As our Head Chef, you ll be responsible for overseeing the daily production of our meals while helping lay the foundation for long-term operational success. You ll start hands-on, working closely with a small initial team, and play a key role in recruiting, training, and developing the team as we grow.

You ll collaborate with leadership to ensure the kitchen team is efficient, safe, compliant, and consistently delivering the high quality our customers expect. If you thrive in a fast-paced startup-style environment where problem-solving and continuous improvement are key, and want to be part of building something new, this role is for you.

Head Chef Schedule:

• Monday - Friday: 9am - 5:30pm

Key Responsibilities:

• Own execution of our menu, with seasonal, nutritious meals that are consistent, thoughtful, and crave-worthy.
• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality, high-volume production that meets our standards.
• Ensure menu quality & consistency by maintaining high standards in food taste, texture, and presentation while meeting gluten-free and dairy-free dietary requirements.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on recipe development and menu planning using seasonal ingredients and customer feedback.
• Train, support, and lead a growing team through clear communication, hands-on guidance, and a culture of care and accountability.
• Manage prep lists, recipes, team schedules, inventory, and cost controls, using Google Sheets and other digital tools to drive efficiency and support long-term scale.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline kitchen workflows, reduce waste, and optimize labor and equipment usage.
• Monitor and report on performance by maintaining documentation, tracking kitchen metrics, and regularly report progress, challenges, and improvement initiatives to leadership.
• Maintain a clean, compliant, and organized kitchen, with a strong focus on food safety and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure timely delivery of meals and alignment across operations.
• Problem-solve on the fly this is a new kitchen in a fast-moving environment, and flexibility is key.

What You Bring:

• Hands-on leadership experience in a professional kitchen setting, ideally with high-volume production or batch cooking.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and allergen-sensitive prep (especially gluten- and dairy-free)
• Strong communication and team-building skills you know how to motivate and manage a team
• A hands-on, flexible attitude with the ability to thrive in a fast-changing, startup-like environment
• Proficiency with tools like Google Sheets, Slack, and scheduling software
• Passion for high-quality, health-conscious food and continuous improvement
• Food Protection Manager Certificate is preferred, but not required

Some Benefits of Working With Us:

• Health, vision & dental insurance benefits
• 15 days (120 hours) of paid time off (PTO) annually
• Paid sick leave
• Holiday Pay
• Bereavement paid leave
• Parental paid leave
• Employer provided laptop to use during employment (choice between Mac or PC) & other technology equipment needed to perform the duties of this role
• Access to free Westerly meals to take home and enjoy
• Free snacks and a hot lunch served during your shifts
• Employer paid Food Handler's Permit at hire and renewal date
• Employer paid non-slip shoes to safely work in our kitchen
• Access to free Westerly apparel
• Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Endless opportunities for growth! We are a fast-growing business in a growing industry & are very open to building new roles and responsibilities for team members!

Essential Job Functions and Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to prepare, cook, and package meals for extended periods, which may involve standing, moving, or other physical activity, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to respond appropriately to emergency situations (e.g., evacuating, avoiding spills, handling fire or hot equipment hazards) in a way that maintains personal and team safety, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to move efficiently within a crowded kitchen/production floor to access workstations, equipment, storage areas, and packaging lines in a timely manner that maintains production schedules, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to access equipment, shelving, or storage areas, including overhead locations, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to handle knives, kitchen utensils, and packaging equipment in accordance with safety protocols, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to work in environments with variable temperatures, including hot kitchens and refrigerated/freezer storage.
• Must be able to comprehend and implement written and verbal instructions, including safety and sanitation protocols, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to manage production operations to meet quality and scheduling requirements during regular and high-volume periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Why Join Westerly?

At Westerly, we believe that great food starts with a great team. You won t just be running a kitchen you ll be part of shaping a thriving, health-conscious, mission-driven business from day one. If you're excited to lead, build, and grow with us, we d love to meet you.

Westerly Kitchen Company is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Westerly Kitchen Company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of this position.