Executive Sous Chef

Fohandboh; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Country Club in Mesa, AZ seeks an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team. You will oversee daily kitchen operations, uphold top-tier food quality, mentor staff, and ensure guest satisfaction across dining outlets, banquets, and events.

The ideal candidate has hands-on leadership, strong organizational skills, menu development experience, and a passion for hospitality in a private club setting. Evening and weekend availability required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive culinary experience in a leadership role.
• Ability to lead and train culinary teams in a high-volume environment.
• Experience managing food costs, inventory, and labor.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service.
• Lead kitchen operations in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, sanitation, and food safety throughout all kitchen areas.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on menu development, seasonal specials, and events.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and staff development.
• Monitor food costs, inventory, purchasing, and labor to meet budgets.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food cost control

Team development

Food safety

Kitchen operations

Operational flexibility

Communication

Education

Culinary degree

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Salary: Up to $75,000 annually, depending on experience

Department: Food & Beverage

Reports To: Executive Chef

Position Summary

Mesa Country Club is seeking an experienced, passionate, and highly motivated Executive Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a talented culinary professional to contribute to an established private country club known for its commitment to exceptional dining experiences, personalized service, and member satisfaction.

The Executive Sous Chef will work closely with the Executive Chef to oversee daily culinary operations, maintain the highest standards of food quality and presentation, lead and develop kitchen personnel, and ensure consistency across all dining outlets, banquets, tournaments, and special events.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong culinary background, exceptional organizational skills, creativity, and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Operations & Execution

• Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing all daily kitchen operations, including à la carte dining, banquets, private events, and club functions.
• Ensure consistent food quality, flavor, presentation, and portion standards across all culinary offerings.
• Lead kitchen operations in the Executive Chef's absence, ensuring seamless execution and operational continuity.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organization, sanitation, and food safety throughout all kitchen areas.
• Oversee food preparation, production schedules, and service execution to ensure efficiency and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on seasonal menu development, daily specials, themed dining experiences, and special events.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervise, train, mentor, and motivate culinary team members while fostering a positive, professional, and collaborative work environment.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance evaluations, and ongoing employee development.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.
• Provide hands‑on instruction and coaching to improve culinary techniques, efficiency, and consistency.
• Promote a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and continuous improvement.
• Assist the Executive Chef in managing food costs, labor expenses, inventory, and purchasing to meet established departmental budgets.
• Monitor food preparation, portion control, and production levels to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
• Participate in inventory management, product ordering, receiving, and vendor relations.
• Support recipe development, standardization, and accurate food costing.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional culinary standards.

Member Experience & Hospitality

• Uphold Mesa Country Club's commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences and personalized member service.
• Collaborate with the Food & Beverage leadership team to ensure culinary offerings consistently meet or exceed member expectations.
• Accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, special requests, and member preferences with professionalism and attention to detail.
• Maintain flexibility and creativity when developing menus for member events, holidays, golf tournaments, and private functions.
• Demonstrate a hospitality‑driven mindset and a willingness to engage with members when appropriate.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable health department regulations, food safety standards, and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain proper food storage, labeling, temperature controls, and rotation practices.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is properly maintained, cleaned, and operated safely.
• Conduct regular inspections of kitchen facilities and address operational or safety concerns promptly.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive culinary experience, including experience in a Sous Chef or comparable kitchen leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, food preparation, kitchen operations, and contemporary dining trends.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and develop culinary teams in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment.
• Experience managing food costs, inventory, purchasing, and labor efficiency.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and attention to detail under pressure.
• Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as business demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a private country club, luxury resort, upscale restaurant, or comparable hospitality environment.
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training.
• Experience with banquet operations, large‑scale events, and multi‑outlet food service.
• Experience with menu development, recipe costing, and culinary innovation.
• Current ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent food safety certification.

Ideal Candidate

The successful Executive Sous Chef will be a confident, approachable, and engaged culinary leader who takes pride in both the quality of their work and the success of their team.

We are seeking an individual who:

• Leads by example and is willing to work alongside the culinary team.
• Demonstrates creativity while respecting the traditions and expectations of a private country club.
• Takes ownership of kitchen operations and holds themselves and others accountable.
• Values teamwork and builds strong relationships with fellow employees and department leaders.
• Possesses a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.
• Understands that exceptional hospitality extends beyond the plate and contributes to the overall member experience.

Compensation

Annual Salary: Up to $75,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

About Mesa Country Club

Mesa Country Club is a distinguished private golf and social club located in Mesa, Arizona. Our membership brings together individuals and families from all walks of life who share a common appreciation for golf, community, friendship, and exceptional hospitality.

Our culinary program plays an essential role in the member experience, offering everything from casual clubhouse dining to elevated culinary experiences, wine dinners, holiday celebrations, golf tournaments, and private events.

We are committed to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and professional workplace where employees are encouraged to grow, contribute their talents, and take pride in delivering memorable experiences for our members and their guests.

Mesa Country Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable law.