Executive Sous Chef Culinary Operations

Universal Destinations & Experiences; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

NBCUniversal's Culinary Operations team seeks an Executive Sous Chef to lead operational execution, SOPs, and standard culinary programs across Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk. You will partner with Operations, Training, Sourcing, QA, and Production teams to ensure all offerings meet brand standards.

This full-time, on-site role requires 7+ years of culinary leadership, strong cost controls, and a track record in high-volume environments.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited culinary school.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive culinary experience including leadership in high-volume environments.
• Minimum of 3 years in culinary management.
• Knowledge of culinary operations, menu implementation, and operational execution.
• Experience developing recipes, SOPs, culinary standards, and documentation.
• Experience leading training initiatives and venue-level operational support.
• Strong project management, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Understanding of food cost controls, labor efficiencies, portion management, and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and implementation of culinary initiatives across USH and CityWalk.
• Manage day-to-day operational and tactical aspects of large-scale culinary projects.
• Collaborate with Operations, Training, Sourcing, QA,Production Kitchen, and Shared Services for new menu rollouts and programs.
• Develop and refine standardized recipes, SOPs, and plating guides.
• Ensure recipes and training materials are executable while maintaining quality and profitability.
• Conduct venue assessments and drive operational improvements.
• Coach and support field rollouts and onsite training.
• Maintain training materials and production guides.
• Train culinary leadership on recipes, procedures, and safety practices.
• Lead tastings, product evaluations, and production assessments to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Address operational challenges with sustainable solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary knowledge

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Food safety

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Role Summary

The Executive Sous Chef, Culinary Operations is responsible for the operational execution, implementation, and continuous improvement of culinary programs across Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) and CityWalk. This role partners with Operations, Training, Quality Assurance, Production Kitchen, Sourcing, and Culinary teams to ensure all food and beverage offerings are executed consistently, efficiently, and to brand standards.

This position provides leadership in culinary operations by developing and maintaining recipes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), culinary standards, training programs, and operational documentation. The Executive Sous Chef serves as the operational lead for new menu rollouts, seasonal offerings, venue support, and process improvements, ensuring products are executed safely, consistently, and efficiently across all locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational planning, execution, and implementation of culinary initiatives across USH and CityWalk.
• Manage the day-to-day operational and tactical aspects of multiple large-scale culinary projects.
• Partner with Operations, Training, Sourcing, Quality Assurance, Production Kitchen, Production Bakery, and Shared Services to ensure successful implementation of new menu items and operational programs.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve standardized recipes, culinary SOPs, preparation procedures, plating guides, and operational standards.
• Validate that recipes, procedures, and training materials are operationally executable while maintaining food quality, consistency, and profitability.
• Conduct venue operational assessments to ensure menu items are executed according to culinary standards and identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Support field rollouts of new menu items, seasonal offerings, equipment changes, and operational initiatives through onsite coaching and execution support.
• Maintain culinary training materials including recipe cards, job aids, production guides, plating standards, and operational reference materials.
• Train culinary leadership and operators on recipes, production procedures, presentation standards, food safety, and operational best practices.
• Lead product evaluations, yield studies, hold-time validations, and production assessments to improve consistency, portion control, and operational efficiency.
• Provide culinary leadership for tastings, operational validations, food photography, and menu presentation standards.
• Identify operational challenges and implement sustainable solutions that improve efficiency, quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and regulatory requirements while maintaining the highest operational standards.
• Monitor industry trends, culinary innovations, and operational best practices, partnering with Shared Services and Sourcing to implement improvements where appropriate.
• Manage direct reports through coaching, performance management, development planning, and administrative follow-up.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited culinary school required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive culinary experience, including leadership within a high-volume restaurant, production kitchen, theme park, resort, or similar high-production environment.
• Minimum of 3 years of culinary management experience.
• Strong knowledge of culinary operations, food production systems, menu implementation, and operational execution.
• Experience developing recipes, SOPs, culinary standards, and operational documentation.
• Experience leading training initiatives and venue-level operational support.
• Strong project management, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
• Strong understanding of food cost controls, labor efficiencies, portion management, and operational budgeting.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and follow-through.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired Qualifications

• Los Angeles County Food Handler Certification.
• HACCP Certification or equivalent food safety training.
• Experience supporting multi-unit food and beverage operations.

Additional Requirements

Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $90,000-$110,000 (bonus eligible)

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [e-mail].

Compensation

$90,000-$90,000 per year