Food Service - Sous Chef

SSA Group; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Meal plan & employee discounts

Holiday pay

Job summary

SSA Group is seeking a Sous Chef at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI. You will lead culinary teams, oversee event food preparation, and ensure exceptional guest experiences while maintaining safety and quality standards.

As a Sous Chef, you will assist the Executive Chef with menu planning, pricing, and production, coaching staff, and upholding sanitation and cost controls. Flexible hours and a dynamic, team-driven environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and team-building abilities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage payroll and controllable costs within guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, welcoming guest experiences and supervise high-quality product preparation.
• Assist in menu pricing and production planning for events.
• Train, coach, and develop staff; enforce food safety and sanitation standards.
• Monitor cooking temperatures and inventory; ensure compliance with health regulations.
• Support payroll management and profitability within established guidelines.
• Oversee quality, product levels, and labor across shifts.
• Incorporate sustainable resources into culinary selections.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Basic computer skills

Physical stamina

Shift flexibility

Education

ServSafe certification

HAACP knowledge

Culinary training

Job description

Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 24, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Who are we :

At SSA, we believe our work matters because the people do. For more than 50 years, we've helped create experiences that leave people feeling connected, inspired, and reminded that fun still matters.

Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within, reflecting our commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities to succeed.

Position Title: Sous Chef

Reports to: Executive Chef

Who are we :

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Responsibilities

Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

• Create Competitive quality products.
• Supervise and participate in creating high-quality products for events and food service locations.
• Assist in menu pricing and preparation.
• Estimate food consumption for events and request necessary products.
• Demonstrate new cooking techniques.
• Train, coach, counsel, and resolve problems.
• Comply with all food safety regulations and practices.
• Implement and enforce sanitary practices for food handling, general cleanliness, and maintenance of kitchen and/or dining areas.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Monitor and track proper cooking and holding temperatures.
• Support the management of payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines.
• Oversee quality, product levels, and inventory of products.
• Manage employees in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Incorporate sustainable resources into the culinary selections.
• Perform specialty projects as assigned by the Executive Chef.
• Respond to guest requests and take action to ensure client satisfaction.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, 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 operate, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units .
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels .
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back .

Previous Experience

• Three years of food preparation experience.
• ServSafe or Food Handling Certified.
• Knowledge of HAACP
• Culinary training, must be 18 or older.

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

Compensation and Benefits

• Paid Time Off plan: up to 144 hours based on tenure.
• 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 (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• SSA Paid Benefit: Up to 120 hours of Paid Leave for qualifying reasons, including Parental Leave and your or your family’s serious medical conditions.
• Up to 40 hours Paid Bereavement.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts where applicable
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day .
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado : Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 48 hours per year , under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 40 hours per year , as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington : Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked , in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

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.

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.

Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America