Food Service - Jr Sous Chef

SSA Group, LLC • Tampa, FL

2d • $22 - $23

About The Position

The Florida Aquarium is hiring a Junior Sous Chef to support day-to-day restaurant operations and private events. The role helps ensure the kitchen is prepared and staffed for daily service, maintains food quality and safety standards, supports guest service, and assists with employee training, coaching, scheduling-related duties, and kitchen operations. The Jr Sous Chef reports to the Sous Chef and works with restaurant supervisors and Food Service Operations Manager(s).

SSA describes its approach as 452 Hospitality, focused on people, innovation, operational intelligence, and creating memorable experiences for guests and clients. The role also supports inclusive team practices, sustainability and conservation efforts, and community engagement. Applicants should have 1–2 years of culinary experience. The position requires varied hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed, and physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift or move boxes weighing 10–35 pounds.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of culinary experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with the General Manager and personnel.
• Proven leadership skills and an understanding of team building and development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to stay organized.
• Multitasking, attention to detail, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented, personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic approach; takes initiative and uses tact and diplomacy.
• Computer knowledge and skills for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and move and handle boxes weighing 10–35 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients.
• Ensure the restaurant or location is adequately prepared and staffed in the back of house for daily operations.
• Oversee kitchen duties and ensure food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are met or exceeded.
• Oversee safety logs, including food temperatures, food rotation, and waste.
• Ensure staff follow uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove-use requirements.
• Support SSAfety training in knife handling and ensure direct reports use knives and slicers properly.
• Create daily preparation and item lists and delegate tasks as needed.
• Support operations and fill staffing or service gaps as necessary.
• Maintain checklists for routine and daily cleaning tasks, ongoing projects, and menu planning.
• Assist the Sous Chef with assigning duties, coaching associates through projects and daily tasks, and supporting guest interactions.
• Respond to guest and client feedback and report issues to the operations manager to help prevent recurrence.
• Train new employees and issue performance reviews.
• Coach and counsel employees and issue progressive documentation, with oversight from the operations manager.
• Report employee attendance and hour discrepancies to payroll and oversee break and rest-break management for back-of-house employees.
• Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Help ensure tasks are completed on time and assist with daily work as needed.
• Communicate daily service or quality issues to the Sous Chef and Food Service Operations Manager(s).
• Work with restaurant supervisors to ensure locations operate to standard.
• Supervise in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment and follow company policies and procedures.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team and across units, remove barriers, and empower growth and opportunity for team members.
• Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, communicate their application in the business, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff.
• Engage with SSA and the unit in community efforts and opportunities to give back.
• Perform other tasks as necessary or as circumstances require.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Fun and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for growth.
• Reduced meals during shifts.
• Free Aquarium passes for family and friends.
• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program providing access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal plan and employee discounts at applicable locations.
• 401(k) program with a 15% company match, subject to age and eligibility requirements.
• Tuition discount through a partnership college.
• Up to 8 hours of bereavement leave.
• Holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed