Executive Sous Chef

SSA Group; Powell (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the cultural attraction industry is seeking an Executive Sous Chef at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. This position involves overseeing kitchen operations, managing staff, ensuring quality and safety in food preparation while aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability and guest experience. Ideal candidates will have a Culinary Arts Degree and strong leadership skills, ready to support a dynamic culinary team.

Benefits

Flexible Vacation Plan

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

401(k) with 15% company match

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Cell Phone Stipend

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience as a Junior Sous Chef or similar in a high-volume setting.
• Proficiency in culinary arts and food safety standards.
• Ability to manage food costs and operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen personnel and maintain quality control of food preparations.
• Manage food inventory and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Support Executive Chef in staffing, budget management, and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Team Building

Financial Management

Culinary Skills

Education

Culinary Arts Degree

Tools

Computer Skills

Job description

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Powell, Ohio, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM

SSA Group at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is looking for a talent Executive Sous Chef to join our team

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love and de dication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve, de serve it.

Reporting Relationship

The Executive Sous Chef reports directly to the Executive Chef.

Responsibilities

People

• Interview, hire, evaluate, reward, and progressively coach kitchen personnel as appropriate.
• Develop culinary training programs for food production employees and serve as a culinary resource to promote quality food services. Ensure SSAfety training(s) completed with all staff upon hire.
• Train kitchen personnel in safe operating procedures of all equipment, utensils, and machinery, as well as food production principles and practices.
• Direct and coordinate the work of production and dish room staff as necessary.
• Maintain communications with Food and Catering Operations teams through weekly meetings and daily conversations to ensure proper menu productions, standards, quality and amount of staff.
• Maintains a close relationship with the client’s staff to insure a positive working relationship.
• Manage employees in accordance with State and Federal labor laws.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Operational Excellence

• Perform the steps of SSA EXTRA Guest Service to ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client.
• Supervise period end inventory for all food and beverage areas.
• Direct and participate in the daily preparation of standard and gourmet food items. Supervise and participate in the preparation and display of menu items for special functions
• Monitor and track proper cooking and holding temperatures.
• Ensure overall consistency and high quality across the various operations.
• Assist Executive chef in planning menus based on such factors as market trends, customer preferences and nutritional considerations; design recipes, determine appropriate ingredients and specify individual serving portion for each recipe.
• Ability to price out menus to offer strategic price increases.
• Inspect all locations to observe quality of food preparation and service; food appearance; and cleanliness and sanitation of production and service areas, equipment and employee appearance.
• Evaluate the quality of raw food and ensure the quality of the finished products.
• Implement and enforce sanitary practices for food handling, general cleanliness, and maintenance of kitchen and/or dining areas.
• Comply with all food safety regulations and practices. Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Process invoices to office team ensuring smooth communication so that all vendors are paid within terms.
• Manage all operational functions of the Culinary aspects within the Unit’s operation.

Growth

• Assist Executive Chef in controlling food cost through storeroom requisition systems, product storage requirements, standardization recipes and waste control procedures.
• Help implement systems and processes that help make tasks efficient and strengthen the financial performance of the unit.
• Support Executive Chef in preparing operational reports and analyses setting forth progress, trends and make appropriate recommendations.
• Work with Executive Chef on analyzing sales and inventory to maximize opportunities.
• Help Executive Chef and Operations Team in managing payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines. Meet payroll budget percent expectations by being strategic with coverage, on-call shifts, etc.

Support in scheduling appropriate staff levels in accordance with budget and business forecast.

• Support precedent to achieve Sales, Per Cap & Controllable Budget.

Social Responsibility and Culture

• Support incorporation of sustainable resources into the culinary selections.
• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach at the Unit.
• Supports unit in being an example for Company & Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts. Displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Supports SSA / Unit in driving community effort through hiring efforts, engagement activities, and focus on opportunities of giving back.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, Resident Area General Manager and HQ personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Previous Experience

• Three to Five years Junior Sous Chef or like experience in high volume restaurant, country club, catering or cultural attraction venue.
• Culinary Arts Degree preferred.
• ServSafe or Food Handling Certified preferred.
• Knowledge of HAACP.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. The People Department reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-Time, Exempt
• Final compensation determined by experience, education, and internal equity
• Flexible Vacation or Time Away From Work (TAFW) plan: no accruals; employees are encouraged to schedule time off as needed within business scope.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and other voluntary benefits for you and your family; employee premiums applicable.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (eligible after one year of employment).
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave
• Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on the birthing event
• (4) Week fully paid Parental leave following birth, adoption or foster event, can be coupled with Birthing Parent Plan to extend above timeline
• Up to 5 days Paid Bereavement Leave
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend
• Accrued paid sick leave provided in accordance with state law, state/location confirmed in job posting

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

We accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. Apply anytime atthessagroup.com. Applications are reviewed as received, and the position remains open until filled.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Powell, Ohio, United States of America