Executive Sous Chef

University of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Care

401(k) Plan with Matching

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Sodexo at Ole Miss Athletics seeks an Executive Sous Chef to lead culinary operations, guide a dynamic team, and oversee menu planning for large events. You will work hands-on to ensure exceptional food quality, safety, and service while coordinating with event managers and partners.

The role requires strong leadership, experience in high-volume kitchens, and a focus on training staff to maintain top standards for fans and VIP guests.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent experience required.
• 1 year related experience preferred.
• Experience as an Executive Sous Chef or similar role in a high‑volume kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Oversee menu planning, program execution, and staff development.
• Lead and mentor culinary team; ensure safety and sanitary standards.
• Direct kitchen operations for large events, banquets, and conventions.
• Collaborate with internal partners and external clients to deliver high-quality food and service.

Skills

Executive Sous Chef

Leadership

High-volume kitchen

Food safety

Communication

Education

Associate degree

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join Ole Miss Athletics. In this role, deliver exceptional food and hospitality experiences for fans and VIPs while supporting gameday operations across university athletic venues.

About the job

Join a role where your culinary leadership and creativity shape exceptional dining experiences every day. As the Executive Sous Chef, you will provide hands–on guidance within a small but dynamic culinary operation—overseeing menu planning, program execution, and staff development. You’ll work closely with both internal partners and external clients, managing the full catering process from initial concept through seamless execution. In this role, you’ll support the Executive Chef in directing all kitchen operations within the convention center, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality food and service. You will lead and mentor the culinary team, uphold safety and sanitation standards, and play a vital part in executing diverse menus for large‑scale events, banquets, conventions, and hospitality services. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on guest experience while driving operational excellence behind the scenes.

What’s in it for you

• Contribute to menu creation and customization based on client needs, seasonal ingredients, and dietary requirements.
• Support high quality food preparation and presentation for large events.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations to maintain strong preparation, service, and quality standards.
• Coordinate with event managers to ensure food service aligns with event timelines.
• Maintain compliance with all health, safety, and food handling regulations.
• Assist with budget oversight, cost control, and waste reduction.
• Train, mentor, and motivate kitchen staff to enhance skills and efficiency.
• Supervise team communication and organization to support smooth operations.
• Collaborate with other departments to help deliver a seamless guest experience.

What you’ll bring

• Experience as an Executive Sous Chef or similar role in a high‑volume kitchen.
• Strong culinary knowledge across multiple cuisines and techniques.
• Leadership skills with the ability to develop and motivate staff.
• Solid organization and time management abilities.
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple tasks.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and inventory practices.
• Clear, effective communication skills.
• Ability to work safely in tight, noisy, and temperature‑variable environments; able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.

Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent experience.
• Related experience: 1 year.

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Source: Hospitality Online