Sous Chef
Salary: 80,000-90,000
Other Forms of Compensation:
Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
Job Summary
The Sous Chef plays a critical leadership role in the daily execution of a dynamic corporate dining program, supporting exceptional food experiences across café, catering, and specialty service operations. This position partners closely with the Executive Chef to deliver outstanding culinary quality, maintain operational excellence, and lead a diverse culinary team in a high-volume environment.
The ideal candidate is an energetic and hands-on culinary professional who thrives in a hospitality-focused culture, demonstrates strong leadership presence, and is passionate about developing teams, executing consistently excellent food, and creating memorable guest experiences. Success in this role requires a commitment to food safety, operational efficiency, culinary innovation, and service excellence.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing all back-of-house culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency across multiple service platforms.
- Lead daily kitchen operations, including production, execution, service, catering support, and event preparation.
- Supervise, coach, and develop culinary team members through active leadership, training, mentoring, and performance management.
- Build a positive and engaging workplace culture that promotes accountability, teamwork, inclusion, and professional growth.
- Ensure all food is prepared according to established recipes, quality standards, and production procedures.
- Monitor daily production schedules, prep activities, inventory utilization, and labor deployment to maximize operational efficiency.
- Partner with culinary leadership to execute seasonal menus, limited-time offerings, and elevated hospitality experiences.
- Support large-scale catering functions, executive meetings, special events, and high-profile guest experiences with a focus on flawless execution.
- Maintain strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and workplace safety standards.
- Conduct routine kitchen inspections to ensure cleanliness, organization, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
- Manage ordering, receiving, storage, and inventory practices to ensure product quality and minimize waste.
- Collaborate with front-of-house and operations leaders to deliver a seamless guest experience and respond effectively to client needs.
- Participate in recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and workforce planning activities to support operational success.
- Lead services in the Executive Chef's absence and serve as a trusted operational partner during peak periods and special events.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance food quality, team performance, and overall operational effectiveness.
Qualifications
- Associate's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
- 3+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience as a Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or similar supervisory role.
- Experience supporting high-volume food service operations serving 1,500+ guests daily preferred.
- Strong scratch-cooking background with demonstrated commitment to fresh, seasonal, and high-quality ingredients.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop hourly culinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience supporting complex catering programs, executive dining, and special events.
- Comprehensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP procedures, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative leadership style.
- Proficiency with kitchen production systems, inventory controls, and workforce scheduling tools.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining strong partnership with culinary and operational leadership.
- ServSafe Manager Certification required or ability to obtain within established timeframe.
- Availability to support occasional early mornings, evening events, and business needs as required.
Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1589355
Bon Appetit
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