Executive Sous Chef - Magnolia Houston Hotel

Magnolia Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Executive Sous Chef oversees culinary staff and food planning, preparation, production, and control for all food outlets and banquets, ensuring compliance with OSHA and Magnolia quality standards. The role supports the Director of Food & Beverage in managing kitchen personnel, menus, inventory, food and labor costs, and daily culinary operations. It also requires strong customer service, communication, organization, and leadership skills, along with the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

At least 3 years of culinary experience; experience as a chef in a similar-sized operation is preferred, and supervisory experience is essential.
Excellent communication and listening skills.
Ability to work under pressure.
Strong organizational, prioritization, attention-to-detail, and problem-solving skills.
Mature, pleasant, courteous, cooperative, and enthusiastic approach, with good interpersonal skills.
Flexible availability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Considerable mathematical knowledge for creating and interpreting reports, budgets, and forecasts.
Extensive knowledge of menu development, marketing, cost and wage control, food products, standard recipes, and proper preparation.
Ability to analyze and forecast and make judgments to ensure appropriate payroll and production control.
Ability to read, write, and speak English to understand and communicate job functions.
Ability to safely operate complex food-preparation machinery and work in confined spaces and environments with extreme hot and cold temperatures.
Ability to supervise a large staff and accomplish goals on time.
Ability to conduct meetings and menu briefings and maintain communication with team members and the Executive Chef.
Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit continuously for extended periods to perform essential job functions.
Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, exercise patience, tact, and diplomacy, and gather accurate information to resolve conflicts.
Artistic ability to create themed menus and ideas for ice carvings and decorations.
Ability to use Microsoft products and a timekeeping program, with basic knowledge of IT programs such as point-of-sale systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a chef in a similar-sized operation.

Responsibilities

Assist the Director of Food & Beverage with hiring, training, supervising, scheduling, and participating in the work of chefs, cooks, and other food-preparation personnel.
Ensure food is prepared and presented in accordance with productivity standards, cost controls, forecasts, and guest expectations.
Communicate with customers and staff, respond courteously and efficiently to questions and problems, and use feedback to implement improvements.
Maintain productive working relationships with hotel staff and organize and conduct culinary team meetings.
Monitor team performance, food quality, and production flow, and promote continuous improvement.
Assist in creating and implementing menus and menu items for all outlets based on current food trends and regional tastes.
Develop menu selections for banquet themes and special events in accordance with client budgets and expectations, and confer with the Director of Food & Beverage about new or changed selections.
Audit food storeroom items and direct inventory practices to maintain consistent quality and meet health code requirements.
Enforce safety procedures and cleanliness standards throughout kitchen areas.
Monitor food costs and conduct monthly inventory.
Monitor back-of-house labor for the kitchen and banquets department.
Assist the Director of Food & Beverage in estimating the annual food budget.
Dine at local restaurants to observe food presentation and pricing trends.
Monitor outlets during peak periods to oversee production flow and presentation.
Maintain the vacation schedule to support proper staffing.
Report equipment needing repair or replacement to Property Operations.
Perform other duties as requested, including VIP parties and activations.