Sous Chef

Dexterra; Guelph; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dexterra Group, a leading North American food service and catering company, seeks a Sous Chef to oversee procurement, planning, and execution of catering events. You will manage budgets, develop menus, train staff, and ensure regulatory compliance while delivering high-quality service.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years of catering leadership experience, strong culinary knowledge across cuisines, and food safety certifications. This on-site role offers growth in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of catering food service leadership in high-volume settings.
• Fluent across diverse world cuisines and menus.
• Knowledge of special diets (vegan, halal, gluten-free, dairy-free).
• Strong attention to detail and multitasking abilities.
• Serve Safe and/or Food Safe certification with knowledge of health regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement, organization, planning, and direction of catering prep and events.
• Manage budgets, supplier relations, and discrepancies; support cost control.
• Plan menus and recipes; align with promotional themes and healthy options.
• Create staff schedules; supervise, train, and develop team; ensure safety standards.
• Resolve client concerns; maintain clear communication with clients and staff; uphold service quality.
• Ensure sanitation, inventory maintenance, and orderly stock management.

Skills

Catering leadership

Food safety knowledge

Communication skills

Multitasking

Inventory management

Menu development

Education

Red Seal Chef Status

Food safety certification

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Dexterra Group is a fast-growing, financially strong, publicly listed company (TSX:DXT). We have a far-reaching presence acrossthe entire continentNorth America with hundreds of full-time and part-time opportunities at any given time. We aim to provide our people with more than just a job – we offer fulfilling opportunities in a culture that promotes stability, diversity and inclusion, camaraderie, employee recognition, work-life balance, and doing what you love. For over 75 years, the companies that began independently, and now form Dexterra Group, have been dedicated to serving North American clients to create and manage built environments that play a vital role in our economy and our local communities. And, that’s something we’re truly proud of. Work That Matters, People Who Care.

Job Description

WHAT'S THE JOB?

Under the general supervision of the Chef Manager, the Sous Chef oversees procuring, organizing, planning, preparing and/or directing the preparation of all catering events. This role also performs the administrative and financial duties for the catering team such as ordering and resolving discrepancies with suppliers and customers, creation, and adherence to budgets for all related costs of the catering operation and supervising and training all staff within their charge.

• Cook from scratch with local ingredients while continually sourcing and developing new ideas and ways to generate additional profit for the unit.
• Plan and develop menus and recipes for the cafeteria, incorporating both the company’s promotional themes and healthy optionswhile also encouraging and incorporating creative ideas from employees.
• Establish and implement food preparation schedules for all staff and recipes, creating an efficient and organized process for each dish.
• Work with clients and customers to meet their needs/requests while staying within budgeted restrictions and adhering to all company practices and policies.
• Establish and implement food preparation schedules for team, creating an efficient, safe, and organized process.
• Respond to customer and client concerns and requests immediately, resolving any issues that may arise.
• Implement newtechniques and planning ideas to provide a higher level of service.
• Ensure all staff are adhering to all required safety regulations and procedures while preparing food.
• Maintain clear lines of communication and understanding between all parties including theExecutive Chef,District Manager, and staff (Company staff and temporary staff)
• When necessary, provide support to maintaining physical inventories, placing orders and help receiving and stocking supplies, resolve discrepancies with suppliers, and escalating any and all issues unable to be resolved to the Chef Manager or Culinary Director
• Ensure the sanitation of the work area and equipment, maintaining a clean working environment.
• Actively seek out and identify additional opportunities for business growth.
• Train and develop staff in proper procedures and best practices while also providing coaching to help staff members reach the next stage in their career development.
• Listens to customers (internal and external) and responds professionally to all questions and concerns, directing concerns to further levels of management as needed.
• Remain an ambassador of goodwill, ethics, and great client relations always on behalf of the Company.
• Assist with other unit operations as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Threeyears of recent related experience in the catering food service industry leading high volume catering teams, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in multi million dollar catering operations
• Fully Fluent in a wide variety of World wide food cultures and menus
• Full knowledge of Special Diets, Vegan, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, etc.
• High level of attention to detail and multitasking
• Red Seal Chef Status, not required but preferred
• Previous experience with cost control and employee management
• Serve Safe and/or Food Safe certified with thorough knowledge of all health and safety regulations pertaining to the food preparation/service industry.
• Superior communication skills in both verbal and written English.
• Able to effectively handle the concerns of employees, customers, and clients with tact while adhering to confidentiality policies in a unionized environment
• Work accurately and in an efficient manner while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lead projects, forecast business needs, and identify and target growth opportunities.
• Highly organized with a strong focus and commitment to quality.
• Able to operate all related equipment in a safe manner.
• Able to effectively use a computer and all related software, including POS equipment.

Additional Information

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Be part of an industry that's more important than ever!
• Employee Referral Program!
• Whereas other companies are downsizing, we are growing!
• Be #1 on day 1 by joining an industry leader.

Dexterra Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans’ status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the hiring selection process are available upon request.