Food Service - Jr Sous Chef

SSA Group, LLC • Jacksonville, FL

11d • $16 - $18

About The Position

The Jr Sous Chef supports daily kitchen and food-service operations, ensuring the location is prepared and staffed, service runs smoothly, and food-safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest-service standards are met. The role works closely with the Sous Chef, Food Service Operations Manager(s), and restaurant supervisors to maintain operational standards and respond to service or quality issues.

The Jr Sous Chef supports and coaches kitchen employees, delegates daily preparation and other tasks, assists with training and performance reviews, and helps oversee attendance, breaks, and performance documentation. The role also monitors safety logs and safe food-handling practices, maintains cleaning checklists, inspects and maintains equipment, and helps complete daily operational tasks.

The position calls for a flexible, organized, team-oriented leader who can provide welcoming guest experiences, communicate effectively, and contribute to inclusive, supportive, and sustainability-conscious operations. It requires standing for extended periods, handling and moving boxes weighing 10–35 pounds, and availability to work varied hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

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 necessary.
• 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 in accordance with 452 Hospitality.
• Ensure the location is adequately prepared and staffed in the back of house for daily operations.
• Oversee kitchen duties and ensure quick-service, food-service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest-service standards are met.
• 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 work as necessary.
• Support operations and fill staffing or task gaps to maintain smooth service.
• Maintain checklists for routine and daily cleaning tasks, ongoing projects, and menu planning.
• Assist the Sous Chef with assigning duties, coaching employees 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 of complaints.
• Train new employees and issue performance reviews.
• Manage and issue progressive documentation to coach and counsel employees on performance, 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 complete daily tasks and ensure work is completed in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Remain knowledgeable of and supervise in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment and uphold company policies and procedures.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team and network across units.
• Support removal of barriers and empower growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff about their application in the business.
• Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.
• Perform other tasks as necessary.

Benefits

• 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 eligibility requirements.
• Tuition discount through a partner 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed