Sous Chef - Level II

Life Alive•Cambridge, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Life Alive is seeking a Sous Chef Level II to oversee daily prep and production of a high-volume, scratch-made menu. This role involves ensuring consistent quality through hands-on involvement, monitoring freshness, and upholding standards for whole food and vitality. The Sous Chef will also lead and develop the prep team, foster a collaborative culture, and provide coaching and training. Operational responsibilities include managing prep and purchasing, using forecasting tools, and maintaining operational readiness. Financial accountability involves executing purchasing within budget, maintaining inventory, and driving efficiency through sales forecasting and labor tools. Upholding strict cleanliness, safety, and sanitation standards is paramount. The ideal candidate is independently motivated, capable of running shifts unsupervised, possesses a cool demeanor under pressure, and has strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. They should be eager to learn systems, take ownership, and complete tasks efficiently. This role requires successful completion of Sous Chef Level I responsibilities and the Sous Chef Level II Training Plan, with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work on their feet for extended periods.

Requirements

Successful completion and mastery of Sous Chef Level I responsibilities.
Completion and validation of the Sous Chef Level II Training Plan.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Ability to work 9+ hours on your feet multiple days a week.
Independently motivated
Able to manage through ambiguity
Growth mindset orientated
Capable of running shifts without supervision
Cool and Calm Demeanor under pressure
Able to troubleshoot and solve problems in the moment
Able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Knowledgeable of customer service techniques
Able to lead
Team-building skills
A strong leadership skills, with the ability to coach and mentor others
Ability to plan and prioritize workload
Eager to learn systems and take ownership
Able to complete tasks, sometimes unsupervised

Responsibilities

Oversee daily prep and production of a high-volume, scratch-made menu
Ensure consistent quality through hands-on involvement—tasting, adjusting, and course-correcting
Monitor freshness and quality of all incoming products
Maintain consistency across sauces, soups, broths, and prepared ingredients
Uphold standards that reflect Life Alive’s commitment to whole food and vitality
Participate in the onboarding and develop prep team members
Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture
Provide consistent coaching, feedback, and performance development
Train team members on systems, standards, and culinary techniques
Lead shifts with positivity, clarity, and strong communication
Own the prep and purchasing operation to ensure proper product levels and minimal waste
Use forecasting tools to align prep with sales volume
Ensure efficient execution of prep systems and workflows
Maintain full operational readiness for each shift
Execute purchasing within budget and maintain proper inventory levels
Use sales forecasting and labor tools to drive efficiency
Develop team capabilities to improve productivity and maintain margins
Uphold strict cleanliness and organization standards—“clean is clean, no exceptions”
Train and enforce “clean as you go” practices
Lead daily and deep cleaning routines with the team
Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation guidelines
Partner with the General Manager to regularly audit the facility

Benefits

Plentiful Food Discounts
Yoga Perks
Flexible work schedule with the ability to split time working from home and in our cafés
401k and IRA
Life Alive matches 401k contributions at 100%, up to 3%
Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
Life Insurance
MetLaw
TeleDoc
Short Term & Long Term Disability
Mental Health Support via My Strength
Parking and Transportation Reimbursement