Food Service - Jr Sous Chef

SSA Group • Cincinnati, OH

17d

About The Position

The Jr Sous Chef supports daily back-of-house restaurant operations and helps ensure food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest-service standards are met. The role prepares and staffs the kitchen for daily operations, supports service as needed, oversees food-safety practices and records, and helps maintain equipment and a clean, safe, organized work environment. The Jr Sous Chef assists the Sous Chef with assigning duties, coaching employees, coordinating daily tasks, and planning menus and routine cleaning. The position also supports employee training and performance management, communicates operational issues to the Sous Chef and Food Service Operations Manager(s), and works with restaurant supervisors to keep locations operating to standard. The role promotes inclusive and supportive teams, sustainability and conservation efforts, and community engagement. The position requires varied hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed, and physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift and handle 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 understanding of team building and development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to stay organized.
• Multitasking, attention-to-detail, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-player approach; personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic demeanor; initiative; and tact and diplomacy.
• Computer knowledge and skills for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, move and handle boxes weighing 10–35 pounds as necessary, and perform the job's described functions.
• 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 restaurant or 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, product 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 prep and item lists and delegate work as needed.
• 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 associates, and guiding projects, daily tasks, and guest interactions.
• Respond to guest and client feedback and report issues to the operations manager to help prevent recurrence of potential 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.
• Oversee breaks and rest-break management for back-of-house employees.
• Inspect equipment and perform routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Help complete daily tasks 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.
• Perform other tasks as necessary and uphold company policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team and across units, remove barriers, and empower team-member growth and opportunity.
• Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, apply knowledge of business practices, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff as needed.
• Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.

Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program provides 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: employees must be at least 21 years old, become eligible after one year of employment and 1,000 hours worked, and enroll during open enrollment periods.
• Tuition discount through a partnership college.
• Up to 8 hours of bereavement leave.
• Holiday pay at 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws; accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

What This Job Offers

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