Chef de Cuisine

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc.

Fort Lee (NJ)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc. is seeking a Chef de Cuisine in Fort Lee, New Jersey, to oversee all kitchen and food service operations in a high-volume dining environment. This role includes managing culinary quality, leading kitchen staff, ensuring food safety compliance, and maintaining guest satisfaction.

The ideal candidate has over five years of culinary leadership experience, a strong background in high-volume kitchens, and is committed to developing team excellence and innovative food quality.

Qualifications

Minimum five years of experience in high-volume food service.
Experience managing multi-tiered kitchen teams.
Strong knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

Oversees daily food production and quality standards.
Leads culinary team and staff development.
Ensures compliance with food safety and sanitation.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food safety compliance

High-volume kitchen operations

Team development

Inventory control

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or related field

Graduation from accredited culinary program

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

The Chef de Cuisine serves as the senior culinary leader responsible for overseeing all kitchen and food service operations within a high-volume dining environment. Reporting to the DFAC Building Manager or Production Chef, this role leads all aspects of food production, menu execution, workforce leadership, food safety compliance, and quality assurance.

The Chef de Cuisine provides strategic and hands‑on leadership for daily culinary operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals while maintaining exceptional standards in sanitation, efficiency, and guest satisfaction. This position oversees kitchen staff development, operational excellence, inventory and cost controls, and continuous improvement initiatives across all meal periods and special events.

The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader with experience managing high-volume food service operations, developing teams, and maintaining elevated food quality and safety standards in a fast-paced environment.

Southern Foodservice Management’s Culture

We have a philosophy for everyone 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Culinary Operations & Menu Leadership

Directs and oversees all aspects of daily food production for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special meal periods; establishes and maintains culinary quality standards across all service stations.
Ensures menus align with nutritional guidelines, operational requirements, and guest preferences.
Maintains current knowledge of culinary trends, food service best practices, and emerging nutrition initiatives; introduces innovative recipes and cooking techniques to enhance guest satisfaction and program quality.
Reviews and approves production schedules, recipes, batch cooking quantities, and operational adjustments as needed.
Conducts or directs daily pre-service tastings at each food station; approves or rejects product quality and implements corrective action when standards are not met.

Workforce Leadership & Development

Provides direct supervision and leadership to the Sous Chef and culinary leadership team, including Lead Line Cooks, Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Food Service Workers.
Establishes staffing models, shift schedules, and station assignments aligned with operational needs and guest volume.
Coaches and mentors kitchen staff in culinary technique, leadership development, food safety, and operational excellence.
Conducts performance evaluations and supports ongoing employee development and advancement opportunities.
Fosters a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement throughout the culinary operation.
Participates in the hiring and onboarding process for culinary staff.

Food Safety, Sanitation & Regulatory Compliance

Oversees all food safety and sanitation programs, ensuring compliance with HACCP principles, local health regulations, company standards, and operational requirements.
Ensures temperature logs, sanitation records, and food safety documentation are accurately completed and maintained.
Conducts regular kitchen sanitation inspections and follows through on corrective actions as needed.
Serves as a point of contact during health inspections, audits, and operational reviews.
Investigates food safety concerns or guest complaints and implements corrective action when necessary.
Ensures all food service personnel maintain required food safety certifications and training.

Subsistence Management & Cost Control

Collaborates with leadership on food ordering, inventory planning, and budget management.
Oversees receiving and inspection of food deliveries to ensure quality and temperature compliance.
Implement and monitors food cost controls, including portioning, yield management, waste reduction, and leftover utilization.
Maintains accountability for kitchen equipment, smallwares, and operational supplies.

Administrative & Strategic Support

Prepares operational reports, production records, inspection documentation, and manager summaries.
Participates in operational planning, program evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Co‑ordinates with maintenance and support teams to ensure kitchen equipment remains fully operational.
Maintains awareness of current food service trends, safety standards, and operational best practices.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, or a closely related field preferred.
Associate's degree in Culinary Arts combined with extensive relevant experience may be substituted.
Graduation from an accredited culinary program (e.g., ACF‑accredited institution, CIA, Le Cordon Bleu equivalent) is highly desirable.

Experience

Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in high-volume food service, hospitality, restaurant, institutional dining, or large-scale catering operations, including at least two (2) years in a senior culinary leadership role.
Demonstrated experience leading multi-tiered kitchen teams in a high-volume environment (500+ covers per meal period).
Experience managing food safety programs, sanitation compliance, and operational inspections preferred.

Certifications

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (or equivalent) required.
Valid state‑issued driver's license required.

Knowledge and Skills

Strong knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP principles, sanitation procedures, and high-volume kitchen operations.
Expert‑level culinary skill across a broad range of cooking methods, cuisines, and large‑scale production techniques.
Proven leadership ability to build, motivate, and develop diverse kitchen teams in a fast‑paced environment.
Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and operational demands simultaneously.
Experience with food cost management, inventory control, production planning, and waste reduction initiatives.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with leadership, staff, and clients.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for scheduling, reporting, and administrative functions.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced, high‑volume culinary environment while adapting to changing operational needs.

Physical Requirements