Executive Sous Chef

The Longboard [St. Thomas]; Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Health Insurance

Group Plan(s) including health, dental

Paid Time Off / Sick Days

Dining discounts

Job summary

The Longboard St. Thomas is seeking an Executive Sous Chef to lead a high-volume kitchen in Saint Thomas. You will work directly with the Executive Chef to drive culinary excellence, mentor a growing team, and maintain top-quality service during peak hours.

You will manage day-to-day BOH operations, maintain recipes and prep lists, and ensure consistent food quality and presentation across all stations. Strong leadership and hospitality mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct management experience in a kitchen environment.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Strong skills in coaching and developing team members.
• Attention to detail in food quality, prep, and presentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example on the line and coach the team during busy services.
• Oversee day-to-day BOH operations with the Executive Chef.
• Ensure food safety and cleanliness standards are met.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Kitchen management

Staff mentoring

Food safety

Menu development

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Inventory software

Job description

THE LONGBOARD [ST. THOMAS] – EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

[Full-Time Qualification Required. Terms and Conditions Apply]

PERKS

• Group Health Insurance - 50/50 Employee/Employer Contribution
• Access to Group Plan(s) including health, dental, vision, life AD&D
• Paid Time Off / Unpaid time off / Paid Sick Days
• Dining discounts at home establishments & cross company locations.

THE ATMOSPHERE

The Longboard St. Thomas is the third iteration of the concept originally opened on St. John in the US Virgin Islands in 2015. Like its flagship, the STT location offers innovative and refined seafood-forward island fare, and a lively bar program featuring Caribbean-inspired craft cocktails. The laid-back lifestyles of St. Thomas and St. John mesh perfectly to create a relaxed, coastal vibe in a vibrant setting.

THE IDEAL MATCH

The ideal candidate is a high-performing culinary leader who thrives under the pressure of a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen. You lead by example—cooking on the line, coaching your team through busy services, and actively driving employee retention through mentorship and a positive kitchen culture. Working directly alongside the Executive Chef, you will oversee day-to-day BOH operations, champion culinary excellence, and embody the vibrant, coastal energy of The Longboard. This position works actively with the team to set new goals for improving day-to-day operations through food, experience, and culture.

BALANCED HOSPITALITY

The Longboard St. Thomas brings a fresh, vibrant take on coastal Caribbean dining—where tropical, casual vibes meet elevated experiences. Our restaurants are destinations that blend music, sunshine, island flavors, and top-tier hospitality into unforgettable moments. We're laid-back but dialed-in. Professional but never stuffy. Every guest is welcomed like family— and we take that seriously.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and CDC to plan and develop innovative recipes, seasonal menus, and daily food specials.
• Stay ahead of seasonal product trends, local ingredients, and maintain all vendor relations.
• Move with speed and precision without ever compromising on quality, portioning, or plate appeal.
• Ensure junior chefs adhere strictly to recipes and prep lists.
• Monitor food safety and cleanliness standards to ensure a safe, compliant kitchen.
• Run airtight operational systems to guarantee an immaculate, "A-Grade" health inspection environment. Maintain appropriate cleaning schedules for all areas in the kitchen.
• Responsible for maintaining kitchen equipment, scheduling routine maintenance checks, and ensures equipment is reported and fixed when broken.
• Schedule and lead BOH staff meetings designed to teach food safety and food handling standards.
• Assist with admin duties, inventory, scheduling and paperwork with complete accuracy and timely turnarounds.
• Assist with invoice management and reporting.
• Keep operational documents up to date and revised when needed.
• Conduct daily AM and PM line checks to verify the quality and consistency of raw or cooked food products.
• Accurately know our product mix to order smart, update par levels, control spending, lock in prep lists, and minimize waste.
• Implement training schedules for new hires and monitor progress.
• Actively coach, inspire and develop staff.
• Inspire a high-performing kitchen team ensuring seamless timing, incredible food execution, and high standards during every rush.
• Mentor with empathy and hospitality, building clear pathways for staff growth and promotion.
• Set the tone for a collaborative environment with clear, open communication between all restaurant staff.
• Be a culture builder—bring positive energy, authenticity, reliability, and pride in how you show up every day.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years of direct management experience
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience
• Passion for training and the development of others. Strong work ethics and even temperament.
• Attention to details of food quality, preparation, and presentation.
• Flexible and adaptive to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Available to work on weekends, holidays and nights as required.
• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the mission of Ballast Hospitality, always setting a professional example.
• English and Spanish fluency is preferred but not required.

OUR DNA

• Integrity is everything. Without it, nothing else matters. We lead with honesty, accountability, and trust. Always doing the right thing, even when no one's watching.
• We invest in growth. Continuous training and development aren’t extras; they’re essential to our shared success. We see ongoing learning and development as an investment, not just in our team, but in our future.
• Creativity drives innovation. Innovation starts with imagination. We embrace fresh ideas and bold thinking to stay ahead and stand out.
• Happy teams serve better. A happy, supported, and professional team creates the kind of guest experience that sets us apart and empowers us to deliver exceptional experiences.
• We deliver legendary service. The kind of personalized care that turns moments into memories, experiences guests can’t forget, and rave about long after they leave.
• Work hard, stay sharp, and have fun. We bring passion and professionalism to everything we do while keeping it light, positive, and full of energy. Excellence and enjoyment go hand-in-hand.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER | COME AS YOU ARE

At The Longboard St. Thomas, we believe great hospitality starts with great people, and that means all people. We don’t care what you look like, where you’re from, who you love, or how you identify. If you have good energy and a passion for making people feel welcome, you’ve got a spot on our team. No judgment. No discrimination. Just good vibes and equal opportunity for all.

READY TO SET THE VIBE?

If you're a passionate hospitality-driven leader with a creative eye and ready to help shape the experience at one of St. Thomas's most exciting destinations - this is your moment.

Join Ballast Hospitality in creating standout dining experiences that celebrate sunshine, culture, and connection— one guest at a time. We look forward to meeting you!