Executive Sous Chef - Mercersburg Academy

FLIK Independent School Dining; Mercersburg (Franklin County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking an Executive Sous Chef to support culinary operations at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA. The role focuses on delivering exceptional dining experiences for a diverse student body and staff, with leadership over daily production and menu development.

You will report to the Executive Chef and mentor hourly staff, driving quality, safety, and cost controls in a fast-paced school environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent.
• 2+ years in dynamic culinary/kitchen management in high-volume foodservice; K–12/institutional dining preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• ServSafe certification highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including prep, production, and supervising back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control through inventory management, ordering, and waste reduction.
• Plan, develop, and implement menus aligned with culinary standards and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support catered events with high quality food, presentation, and service.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to implement new programs and initiatives.
• Ensure HACCP and allergy protocols are followed and maintain kitchen cleanliness.
• Mentor hourly staff to develop skills and maintain a collaborative culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive kitchen reflecting school and company values.

Skills

Culinary Arts

Kitchen Management

High-Volume Service

Catering Experience

Scratch Cooking

Leadership

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

FISD

Salary: $65000 - $72000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: N/A

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting‑edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life. We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

As an Executive Sous Chef, you will play a key leadership role in supporting the culinary operations at Mercersburg Academy, an independent, coeducational boarding and day school located in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 440-450 students in grades 9-12. You will help deliver an exceptional dining experience for a diverse residential and day school community while supporting a high‑quality, student‑focused culinary program.

Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily food production, menu development, catering execution, inventory management, and the supervision of hourly kitchen associates. This is an exciting opportunity for an upbeat and motivated culinary professional with a passion for scratch cooking, creativity, and excellence in food quality and presentation. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys mentoring team members, and is committed to providing outstanding service to students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, production, and supervision of back-of-house staff.
• Support cost control initiatives by assisting with inventory management, ordering, and minimizing food waste.
• Help plan, develop, and implement menus that align with company culinary standards, student preferences, and nutritional guidelines.
• Lead or support the preparation and execution of catered events, ensuring high‑quality food, presentation, and service.
• Implement and support new culinary programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Executive Chef and corporate culinary team.
• Ensure all food safety and sanitation guidelines are rigorously followed, including compliance with HACCP and allergy protocols.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and organization in all kitchen areas.
• Participate in training and mentoring hourly culinary staff to support skill development and team culture.
• Champion a safe, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen environment that reflects the values of the school community and company.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of dynamic culinary or kitchen management experience in high-volume foodservice operations; K–12, institutional, or contract dining preferred.
• Strong catering experience and ability to lead special events.
• Knowledge of scratch cooking, batch production, and food cost controls.
• Confirmed understanding of food trends, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable practices.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.
• Dedication to customer happiness and a passion for crafting delicious, nutritious meals for students and school communities.

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FISD.pdf

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug‑free workplace.

FISD

STEPHANIE FREER