Executive Chef

Company: Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens - HumanGood
Location: Sanger
Posted on: February 9, 2026

Job Description:

At HumanGood, we believe hospitality has the power to transform the everyday. We’re hiring an Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations at The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens , one of our Life Plan Communities, where your creativity, leadership, and high standards will shape the dining experience for residents across all levels of living. As the Executive Chef at The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens , you will bring your creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for exceptional dining to the forefront of every resident experience. This is more than a culinary leadership role — it’s an opportunity to elevate daily life by transforming meals into meaningful social experiences across campus. Working in a warm, family-like environment, you’ll lead and inspire a dedicated culinary team, collaborate across departments, and design innovative menus that reflect both resident preferences, proper nutrition, presentation and seasonal creativity. Here, dining is not just about nourishment — it’s about connection, joy, and community. You’ll also play a key leadership role by contributing to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and pride. What a day in the life may include: Lead daily kitchen operations, supervising a team that may include sous chefs, cooks, utility team members, dishwashers, and more. Ensure all meals are fresh, well-prepared, beautifully presented, and aligned with resident preferences and dietary needs. Collaborate with the Director of Dining Services on menu planning, production, purchasing, and budgeting. Maintain high standards of food quality, portioning, and sanitation that meet or exceed regulatory and organizational expectations. Provide hands-on mentorship, training, and performance coaching to kitchen staff. Support special events, catering, and themed meals that create moments of joy for residents and guests. Engage with residents regularly to gather feedback and ensure continuous improvement. Champion safety, cleanliness, and compliance throughout the kitchen and food service areas. To be successful in this role, you should have: 3–5 years of experience as an Executive Chef or equivalent, with demonstrated leadership in a senior living, hospitality, or restaurant environment. Experience in senior living or long-term care preferred. Formal culinary training or degree preferred. Strong skills in kitchen operations, food production, inventory, and team management. A passion for serving older adults with dignity, compassion, and creativity. A desire to be part of a mission-driven, collaborative culture that puts people first. ServSafe or Food Handler certification (or willingness to obtain). What's in it for you? As one of the largest nonprofit owner/operator of senior living communities in the country, we are more than just a place to work. We are here to ensure that all we serve are provided with every opportunity to become their best selves as they define it, and this begins with YOU . At HumanGood, we offer the opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself on top of an incredible package of benefits and perks for our part-time and full-time Team Members that can add up to 40% of your base pay. Full-Time Team Members: 20 days of paid time off, plus 7 company holidays (increases with years of service) 401(k) with up to 4% employer match and no waiting on funds to vest Health, Dental and Vision Plans- start the 1 st of the month following your start date $25tax per line Cell Phone Plan Tuition Reimbursement 5-star employer-paid employee assistance program Find additional benefits here: www.HGcareers.org Compensation : $95,000-115,000 depending on experience Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Keywords: Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens - HumanGood, Merced , Executive Chef, Hospitality & Tourism , Sanger, California