Executive Chef

Job Title: Executive Chef

Location: San Jose, CA – Travel Required (Domestic & International)

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Department: Culinary / Operations

Reports To: Director of Operations

About Us

At Poke House, our mission is to capture California’s adventurous spirit in our tasty, modern pokè while supporting local small businesses and preserving the environment. We work hard to craft each delicious pokè bowl and ensure that the quality of our ingredients are always top grade. Our sushi-grade fish is delivered daily, and our fruits and vegetables are locally sourced, prepared fresh every day, and organic when possible. From construction to consumption, we are committed to being environmentally conscious. We are a rapidly growing quick service restaurant (QSR) brand specializing in customizable delicious pokè bowls, blending fresh, high-quality ingredients with operational efficiency and innovation. As we expand nationally and internationally, we're looking for a visionary Executive Chef to lead our culinary program across all corporate and franchise locations.

Position Summary

The Executive Chef will oversee all aspects of culinary operations, including menu development, food quality, kitchen SOPs, and cross-functional collaboration. This individual will play a critical role in shaping the brand’s food identity, driving innovation, ensuring consistency, and supporting operational scalability across a multi-location environment. This role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution, with an emphasis on cost control, training, and international sourcing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new and existing menu items that are creative, brand-aligned, and operationally scalable for a high-volume QSR environment.
• Ensure offerings balance culinary appeal, prep simplicity, and cost efficiency.
• Uphold food quality, taste, and presentation standards across all stores.
• Conduct regular audits and product evaluations to ensure consistency and guest satisfaction.
• Evaluate and enhance kitchen workflows and SOPs for efficiency and consistency.
• Develop and deliver training programs and materials for kitchen staff, covering new product launches, SOP updates, and culinary best practices.
• Support field operations with in-store training and performance development.
• Monitor food and labor costs, analyzing performance to drive cost-saving initiatives.
• Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to optimize ingredient yield and profitability.
• Ensure all locations adhere to local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Maintain and implement internal food handling and sanitation protocols.
• Stay informed on emerging food trends in the pokè, sushi, and broader fast-casual space.
• Attend culinary expos, industry events, and supplier visits to source inspiration and maintain competitive edge.
• Collaborate with procurement to source scalable, high-quality ingredients.
• Engage with domestic and international suppliers to ensure product consistency, cost control, and innovation.
• Work closely with operations, marketing, training, and supply chain teams to align culinary efforts with brand and business objectives.
• Provide culinary support for franchisee onboarding, product rollouts, and brand initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of culinary leadership experience, preferably in QSR or fast-casual environments
• Proven success in menu development, team training, and multi-unit operations
• Strong knowledge of food cost management and vendor sourcing
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Comfortable with domestic and international travel (up to 2 months per year)
• Passion for Asian-inspired cuisine and the pokè category is highly preferred
• Experience with digital kitchen tools (i.e., Jolt) is a plus

Why Join Us?

• Be a key driver of culinary innovation in a growing national brand
• Influence how pokè is delivered at scale without compromising quality
• Collaborate with a high-performance team dedicated to excellence and growth
• Enjoy travel opportunities, industry exposure, and professional development