Catering - Jr Sous Chef

SSA Group, LLC • Columbia, SC

1d • $16 - $18

About The Position

The Jr Sous Chef supports daily kitchen and catering operations, helping ensure the location is properly prepared and staffed and that food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are met. The role supports the Sous Chef with assigning duties, coaching staff, coordinating prep, maintaining cleaning and menu-planning checklists, and filling operational gaps to keep service running smoothly.

The Jr Sous Chef oversees kitchen safety and personnel practices, including food safety logs, hygiene and uniform standards, knife-safety training, employee training and performance reviews, attendance reporting, and break management. The position also inspects and cleans equipment, responds to guest and client feedback, communicates operating or quality concerns to management, and works with restaurant supervisors to maintain standards and comply with applicable laws. The role promotes inclusive team practices, sustainability and conservation efforts, and community engagement.

This is a part-time, non-exempt position eligible for overtime. The schedule may include varied hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Candidates should have 1–2 years of culinary experience and be able to stand for extended periods and handle boxes weighing 10–35 pounds 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.
• Ability to foster partnerships with other branch managers.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, organization, and attention to detail.
• Multitasking, 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 in keeping with 452 Hospitality.
• Ensure the kitchen is adequately prepared and staffed for daily operations.
• Oversee kitchen duties and ensure food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are met.
• Oversee safety logs, including food temperatures, product rotation, and waste.
• Ensure staff follow proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove-use standards.
• Support safety training in knife handling and ensure direct reports use knives and slicers properly.
• Create daily prep and item lists and delegate tasks as needed.
• Support operations and fill staffing or task gaps to ensure smooth service.
• Maintain checklists for routine and daily cleaning, ongoing projects, and menu planning.
• Assist the Sous Chef in assigning duties and coaching associates on projects, daily tasks, and guest interactions.
• Respond to guest and client feedback and report concerns to the operations manager to help prevent recurrence.
• Train new employees and issue performance reviews.
• Manage and issue progressive performance documentation with oversight from the operations manager.
• Report employee attendance and hour discrepancies to payroll, and oversee BOH employee breaks and rest breaks.
• Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Help the team complete daily tasks promptly.
• 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, remove barriers, and empower team members' growth and opportunity.
• Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts and support staff education about those efforts.
• Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.
• Perform other tasks as necessary.

Benefits

• On-demand pay access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal plan and employee discounts where applicable.
• Tuition discount through a partner college.
• 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: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed