Executive Sous Chef

Volante Farms Inc; Needham Heights (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Volante Farms in Needham, MA, is seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to lead our cafe kitchen. You will own daily operations, ensuring scratch cooking from farm-fresh ingredients and high standards in taste, safety, and presentation.

With access to 30 acres of farmland, you’ll craft seasonal menus, manage food costs, and mentor a growing culinary team. Weekend work and seasonal peaks are part of the role, with a focus on quality and community dining.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional kitchen experience.
• 3+ years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong grasp of cooking techniques and procedures.
• Proven ability to delegate, coach, train, and develop a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Food safety certification or working knowledge of safe food handling practices.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations and keep production schedules on track.
• Uphold portion control, plating, and presentation standards.
• Oversee station setup and maintain clean, organized work areas.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to maintain high-quality output.
• Manage food costs by minimizing waste and ordering efficiently.
• Develop new recipes and seasonal specials showcasing farm ingredients.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and health standards.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Cooking techniques

Staff training

Communication

Time management

Safety compliance

Job description

Description

Volante Farms | Needham, MA | Full-Time

About Us

Volante Farms has been a fixture in the Needham community for over 100 years. As a fourth-generation family-run farm, farm stand, café, and garden center, we're known for homegrown and locally sourced produce, ornamental and vegetable plants, and seasonal decorations. More recently, we have grown into a true food destination - with a locally sourced grocery department, a butcher shop, a seasonal ice cream stand, and an expanding food service program that includes a deli, bakery, coffee shop, and two working kitchens producing everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to catering for businesses and family events, plus house-made pastries and desserts.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Executive Sous Chef to lead our Café Kitchen. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you'll own the day-to-day operations of the cafe kitchen and help us deliver on what we care about most: great food made from great ingredients, rooted in scratch cooking. With 30 acres of farmland at your disposal, you'll have direct access to homegrown produce and herbs throughout the growing season - a rare opportunity to cook with ingredients picked steps from your kitchen.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily kitchen operations, keeping production schedules on track and tasks completed on time
• Uphold portion control, plating, and presentation standards set by the Executive Chef
• Oversee proper station setup and ensure clean, organized work areas across the kitchen
• Keep workstations, walk-ins, and storage areas organized and up to standard
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to prepare food to recipe, maintaining consistent, high-quality output
• Partner with the Executive Chef to manage food costs by minimizing waste and ordering efficiently
• Develop new recipes and seasonal specials that showcase our farm-grown ingredients
• Maintain rigorous food safety, sanitation, and health standards in storage and prep
• Flag issues or concerns promptly to the Executive Chef
• Follow all company policies and procedures
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed

Why Volante Farms

Join a multi-generational family business where farm-to-table isn't a buzzword - it's how we've operated for over a century. You'll cook with ingredients grown right on our 30-acre property, work alongside a growing culinary team, and help shape a food program that’s still expanding.

Schedule

We believe in work-life balance. The Executive Sous Chef will work approximately 40 hours per week during most of the year. Weekend work and some holidays are required. The kitchen begins prep at 6am and the kitchen closes at 7pm Monday - Friday and 6pm Saturday/Sunday. Your expected shifts would be a mix of opens (6:30am - 3pm), mids (7am-4pm, 8am-5pm), and closes (10am - 7pm, 9am - 6pm).

Volante Farms is an equal opportunity employer. The stated pay range is the anticipated starting salary range for the position. Time and a half is paid for all hours over 40, Sundays, and selected holidays.

Requirements

What You Bring

• 4+ years of professional kitchen experience
• 3+ years in a supervisory or leadership role
• Strong grasp of cooking techniques and procedures
• Proven ability to delegate, coach, train, and develop a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Food safety certification or working knowledge of safe food handling practices
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly