EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF / ASSISTANT KITCHEN OPERATIONS LEADER

Wally's; Whitestown (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly bonus opportunity

401(k) with 5% company match

Company‑paid medical plan option

Dental and Vision coverage

Company‑paid Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Short‑Term Disability (STD)

Long‑Term Disability (LTD)

AD&D coverage

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Job summary

Wally's in Whitestown, IN is seeking an Executive Sous Chef / Assistant Kitchen Operations Leader to partner with the Executive Chef in directing kitchen operations for our high-volume programs. This role focuses on food quality, consistency, safety, and leadership development.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of progressive culinary leadership, leads teams, ensures scheduling, training, and performance coaching, and maintains systems that support speed and guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a high-volume kitchen environment.
• Experience leading kitchen teams and managing food production operations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts.
• Availability to work a rotating schedule, including weekends and holidays.
• Proficiency with POS systems, kitchen technology, and basic computer programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen production across Wally's food programs, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Direct staffing, prep levels, production schedules, and station readiness for high guest volume.
• Recruit, train, and develop kitchen team members and kitchen leaders.
• Coach team members through performance conversations and development plans.
• Maintain food safety compliance and sanitation standards.
• Monitor food cost, waste, yield, inventory, and product rotation; partner with inventory and purchasing teams.
• Collaborate with Retail, Inventory, and Operations to support store performance and guest experience.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Kitchen team leadership

Food safety & sanitation

High-volume operations

Communication & organizational skills

Rotating schedule availability

POS systems & kitchen tech

Reliability & attendance

Tools

POS systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF / ASSISTANT KITCHEN OPERATIONS LEADER

Full Time Wally's Whitestown, Whitestown, IN, US

$70,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

Executive Sous Chef / Assistant Kitchen Operations Leader

Leadership Role at Wally's | Bonus Eligible | Full Benefits

Position Description

The Executive Sous Chef / Assistant Kitchen Operations Leader serves as the senior culinary leader supporting the Executive Chef in directing kitchen operations across Wally's high-volume food programs. This role helps ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, food safety, and operational execution while developing kitchen leaders and team members.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, the Executive Sous Chef / Assistant Kitchen Operations Leader plays a key role in guiding daily production, supporting culinary leadership, and maintaining the systems that allow Wally's kitchens to operate at a high level. This position also steps into full kitchen leadership when the Executive Chef is not present.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced culinary environment, enjoys developing teams, and takes pride in delivering high‑quality food with consistency and efficiency.

Benefits at Wally's

Wally's offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our leaders and their families.

• Quarterly bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with 5% company match
• Company‑paid medical plan option
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Company‑paid Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short‑Term Disability (STD)
• Long‑Term Disability (LTD)
• AD&D coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

What You'll Own at Wally's

Culinary Leadership & Food Quality

Lead daily kitchen production across Wally's food programs, including smoked meats, BBQ, bakery, cold food preparation, popcorn, jerky, sausage, and Wally Dogs. Ensure all recipes, preparation methods, portioning, and presentation meet Wally's brand standards for quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction.

Help direct day‑to‑day kitchen operations by ensuring proper staffing, prep levels, production schedules, and station readiness to support high guest volume. Maintain organized, efficient kitchen systems that support speed, quality, and consistency.

Recruit, train, and develop high‑performing kitchen team members and kitchen leaders. Provide coaching and leadership support that promotes accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement across the kitchen team.

Training & Performance Coaching

Work closely with Kitchen Leads and senior team members to reinforce operational standards, leadership behaviors, and food execution expectations. Assist with coaching conversations, performance feedback, and development planning.

Food Safety & Compliance

Maintain food safety as the highest priority by ensuring strict compliance with all food safety regulations, certifications, sanitation procedures, and temperature control standards. Review required documentation and address any risks immediately.

Assist with monitoring food cost, waste, yield, and operational efficiency. Support production forecasting, inventory management, and product rotation while partnering with inventory and purchasing teams to maintain product availability.

Partner closely with Retail, Inventory, and Operations teams to support overall store performance, operational efficiency, and guest experience.

Guest Experience

Support a hospitality‑driven culture within the kitchen by ensuring food quality, speed, and consistency contribute positively to the overall guest experience.

Leadership Support

Serve as the Executive Chef's operational partner and step into full kitchen leadership responsibilities when needed.

What We’re Looking For

• 5–7 years of progressive culinary leadership experience in a high‑volume kitchen environment
• Experience leading kitchen teams and managing food production operations
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts
• Proficiency with POS systems, kitchen technology, and basic computer programs
• Availability to work a rotating schedule, including weekends and holidays
• Reliable attendance and commitment to team success