Chef

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc. is seeking an experienced Chef to support daily operations of our foodservice program. The role focuses on culinary leadership, high‑volume production, and cost control, working with the General Manager to develop staff and ensure food quality and safety standards.

The position requires kitchen/front‑of‑house leadership, adherence to Local Food Code, and HACCP/SureSafe protocols, with a team‑oriented approach and potential for additional duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent training.
• 2+ years’ experience as a Chef in contract foodservice or related environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of food service regulations.
• Strong Leadership and Management skills.
• Positive attitude and approach.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Self‑motivated, creative problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• ServSafe Certification

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to kitchen team on food preparation, cooking, and presentation.
• Guide front‑of‑house team on menu items and service standards.
• Oversee kitchen ordering, storage, and issuance.
• Maintain first‑in, first‑out food rotation and proper dating for QA.
• Train new kitchen and front‑of‑house staff on SFM standards.
• Manage food orders and minimize waste; track budgets.
• Assist with inventory and end‑of‑month reporting.
• Supervise all food prep/presentation to ensure quality and standards.
• Collaborate with team to maintain kitchen organization and training opportunities.
• Support sanitation program and maintain logs.
• Cover positions as needed to ensure shift coverage.
• May assume General Manager duties when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership & Management

Organizational skills

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Problem solving

Customer service

Under pressure

Self-motivated

Positive attitude

ServSafe Certified

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

Southern Foodservice Management is seeking an experienced and motivated Chef to support the daily operations of our foodservice program. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in culinary operations, kitchen and front‑of‑house leadership, high‑volume food production, and cost control. This individual will work closely with the General Manager to oversee daily operations, develop staff, maintain food quality and safety standards, and ensure an efficient, team‑oriented operation.

Job Purpose

Assist the General Manager with the daily operational support for kitchen and front‑of‑house activities, develop kitchen/front of house staff, and assist with all operational management functions to include purchasing, inventory/cost control, payroll, etc. Ensures compliance with menu standards, Local Food Code and the Performance Work Statement (PWS), ServSafe, and Southern Foodservice Management Standards, Policies & Procedures and HACCP Plan (SureSafe). All the above listed job duties are to be executed in a teamwork type of approach and atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides guidance to kitchen team members regarding food preparation, cooking, and presentation.
• Provides guidance to front‑of‑house team members regarding menu items and service standards.
• Oversee and organize kitchen ordering, storage, and issuance.
• Ensure a first‑in, first‑out food rotation system and verifies all food products are properly dated and organized for quality assurance.
• Train all new kitchen and front of house team members on proper SFM standards.
• Manage food and product ordering by keeping detailed records and minimizing waste, plus works with existing systems to improve waste reduction and manage budgetary concerns.
• Be involved with product inventory and end of month reporting.
• Supervises all food preparation and presentation for café and catering to ensure quality and adherence to standards.
• Work with kitchen team to maintain kitchen organization, staff ability, and training opportunities.
• Work with team members on the sanitation program, to include keeping temp and sanitation logs.
• May be tasked with the coverage of positions as needed to ensure all positions are covered during the daily shift.
• May take on the General Manager duties as needed.
• All staff members are also responsible for other duties or tasks that are assigned by the managers, as a part of any “Job” or “Position” assigned during a normal work schedule. Team members may be assigned to support the meal production, service and cleaning after the meal or the dining facility.

Southern Foodservice Management’s Culture

We have a philosophy for every one on our service team to give something extra. A Southern Foodservice Management employee:

• Exhibits a positive, friendly and respectful attitude towards guests and other team members.
• Arrives to work on time and in correct uniform, clean shoes, clean and pressed black pants and shirt, apron, name tag, and a SMILE.
• Understands job duties and responsibilities, as well as having an eagerness to learn more and develop new skills.
• Promotes a fun and efficient work environment, focusing on guest satisfaction.

Qualifications And Skills

• Culinary degree or equivalent training
• 2+ years’ experience as a Chef in contract foodservice or related environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of food service regulations.
• Strong Leadership and Management skills.
• Positive attitude and approach.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Self‑motivated, creative problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• ServSafe Certification

Physical Requirements

• Strength: Lift up to 20lbs
• Posture: Standing 90%, Walking 10%
• Movement of objects: Frequent
• Heavy Lifting, Heavy Carrying, Pushing, Pulling
• Climbing or Balancing: Occasional
• Stooping: Frequent
• Reaching: Frequent
• Handling: Frequent
• Talking/Hearing: Frequent
• Seeing: Frequent
• Temperature Variation: Frequent