Food Service Sous Chef

Sous Chef position reporting to the Executive Chef at 452 Hospitality, part of SSA Group. Bring your culinary skills, creativity, and leadership to help serve delicious food, support the kitchen crew, and create memorable guest experiences.

About 452 Hospitality

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing partners to remain mission-focused. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey. Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Create competitive quality products.
• Supervise and participate in creating high-quality products for events and food service locations.
• Assist in menu pricing and preparation.
• Estimate food consumption for events and request necessary products.
• Demonstrate new cooking techniques.
• Train, coach, counsel, and resolve problems.
• Comply with all food safety regulations and practices.
• Implement and enforce sanitary practices for food handling, general cleanliness, and maintenance of kitchen and/or dining areas.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Monitor and track proper cooking and holding temperatures.
• Support the management of payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines.
• Oversee quality, product levels, and inventory of products.
• Manage employees in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Incorporate sustainable resources into the culinary selections.
• Perform specialty projects as assigned by the Executive Chef.
• Respond to guest requests and take action to ensure client satisfaction.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to clients, 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.
• Demonstrated 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, including lifting.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

IDEA & Belonging

• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units; focus on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Lead by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; display knowledge of efforts in business application and provide adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engage with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus on opportunities for giving back.

Qualifications

• Three years of food preparation experience.
• ServSafe or Food Handling Certified.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Culinary training; must be 18 or older.

Benefits

Full-time, non-exempt position eligible for overtime pay.

• Paid Time Off plan: up to 144 hours based on tenure.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
• 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, enrollment during Open Enrollment Periods).
• SSA Paid Benefit: up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Leave and your or your family’s serious medical conditions.
• Up to 40 hours Paid Bereavement.
• On-Demand Pay Program: access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable.
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws; accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

State-specific sick leave details: Colorado (HFWA) — 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours/year; Maryland (Healthy Working Families Act) — at least 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours/year; Washington (Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time) — 1 hour per 40 hours worked.