Executive Sous Chef

At SSA, we're Unapologetically Family — it's who we are and how we show up for each other, for our 90+ cultural attraction partners, and for the more than 100 million guests we welcome each year. We laugh, we celebrate our wins, and we learn from our mistakes together. That family mindset shapes 452 Hospitality, the heartbeat of everything we do: creating special moments of hospitality that have a lasting impact, before, during, and after every guest visit. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail to shape one seamless guest experience across the full Hospitality Experience Journey.

About the role

The Executive Sous Chef reports directly to the Executive Chef.

Responsibilities

• Interview, hire, evaluate, reward, and progressively coach kitchen personnel as appropriate.
• Develop culinary training programs for food production employees and serve as a culinary resource to promote quality food services.
• Ensure SSAfety training(s) completed with all staff upon hire.
• Train kitchen personnel in safe operating procedures of all equipment, utensils, and machinery, as well as food production principles and practices.
• Direct and coordinate the work of production and dish room staff as necessary.
• Maintain communications with Food and Catering Operations teams through weekly meetings and daily conversations to ensure proper menu productions, standards, quality, and amount of staff.
• Maintain a close relationship with the client’s staff to ensure a positive working relationship.
• Manage employees in accordance with State and Federal labor laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.
• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Supervise period end inventory for all food and beverage areas.
• Direct and participate in the daily preparation of standard and gourmet food items.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation and display of menu items for special functions.
• Monitor and track proper cooking and holding temperatures.
• Ensure overall consistency and high quality across the various operations.
• Assist Executive Chef in planning menus based on market trends, customer preferences, and nutritional considerations; design recipes, determine appropriate ingredients, and specify individual serving portions for each recipe.
• Price out menus to offer strategic price increases.
• Inspect all locations to observe quality of food preparation and service; food appearance; and cleanliness and sanitation of production and service areas, equipment, and employee appearance.
• Evaluate the quality of raw food and ensure the quality of the finished products.
• Implement and enforce sanitary practices for food handling, general cleanliness, and maintenance of kitchen and/or dining areas.
• Comply with all food safety regulations and practices.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Process invoices to office team ensuring smooth communication so that all vendors are paid within terms.
• Manage all operational functions of the Culinary aspects within the Unit’s operation.
• Assist Executive Chef in controlling food cost through storeroom requisition systems, product storage requirements, standardization recipes, and waste control procedures.
• Help implement systems and processes that improve task efficiency and strengthen the financial performance of the unit.
• Support Executive Chef in preparing operational reports and analyses setting forth progress, trends, and appropriate recommendations.
• Work with Executive Chef on analyzing sales and inventory to maximize opportunities.
• Help Executive Chef and Operations Team in managing payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines.
• Meet payroll budget percent expectations by being strategic with coverage, on-call shifts, etc.
• Support in scheduling appropriate staff levels in accordance with budget and business forecast.
• Support precedent to achieve Sales, Per Cap, and Controllable Budget.
• Support incorporation of sustainable resources into the culinary selections.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach at the Unit.
• Support the unit in being an example for Company and Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts.
• Display knowledge of efforts in business application as well as providing adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Support SSA/Unit in driving community effort through hiring efforts, engagement activities, and focus on opportunities of giving back.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, Resident Area General Manager, and HQ personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35 lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Qualifications

• Three to five years Junior Sous Chef or like experience in high volume restaurant, country club, catering, or cultural attraction venue.
• Culinary Arts Degree preferred.
• ServSafe or Food Handling Certified preferred.
• Knowledge of HAACP.

Benefits

• Full-Time, Exempt position.
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend.
• Flex Time Off: no accruals; employees are encouraged to schedule time off as needed within business scope.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer-sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave.
• Parental Leave: Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on the birthing event.
• SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Bonding and your family’s serious medical conditions.
• Up to 5 days Paid Bereavement Leave.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable.
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.