Full Time - Senior Campus Catering Sous Chef

Ocean State Job Lot; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance subsidy

Tuition reimbursement

Vacation & sick leave

Job summary

Aztec Shops Ltd. in San Diego is seeking a Senior Campus Catering Sous Chef to lead culinary operations for major campus events and catered functions. You will plan menus, direct production, and ensure top-quality food presentation and service.

The role requires an associate degree in a related field (bachelor’s preferred) and 4+ years in high-volume catering with supervisory experience. On-site work with comprehensive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in business, hotel/restaurants, or culinary field.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; four years’ high-volume food service and two years supervisory experience required.
• ServSafe Certified and Management Food Handler Certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior culinary leader in Catering Chef’s absence and ensure continuity of kitchen operations.
• Plan, organize, and direct all culinary production for catered events with high service standards.
• Lead daily kitchen stand-up meetings to review schedules and priorities.
• Supervise culinary staff to ensure timely, accurate preparation for events.
• Develop and test menu items with seasonal ingredients and client needs.
• Oversee inventory, purchasing, cost controls, and labor efficiency.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate staff; interview and onboard culinary personnel.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and health inspections.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Staff management

Menu planning

Food safety

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree in Business or Hotel/Restaurant Management or Culinary

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Full Time - Senior Campus Catering Sous Chef

SHOPSECB/40460/Senior Catering Sous Chef

This represents the good faith estimate of the hourly wage range we reasonably expect to pay for this position upon hire, depending on factors such as the selected candidate's experience, training, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and operational needs.

In select cases, and depending on market conditions or exceptional candidate qualifications, compensation may exceed this range, provided it aligns with applicable law and our compensation policies.

Aztec Shops offers eligible full-time hourly employees a competitive benefits package that includes 80% employer-paid medical coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, 90% employer-paid dental coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, employer-paid life/AD&D insurance, an employer-funded defined benefit pension plan, vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, paid holidays, up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, voluntary 403(b) matching and 457 retirement savings plans non matching, flexible spending accounts, employer EAP including financial wellness resources, and additional employee benefits.

Manages 1 – 3 Sous Chefs and a total of 2 – 35 employees. Responsible for all aspects of daily production/preparation of food and residential dining. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include menu development, all kitchen product ordering, inventory, food production, interviewing, and training employees. Forecasting, planning, and computer applications; assigning and directing work; rewarding, coaching, and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEPENDING ON LOCATION:

NOTE: The duties listed below are examples of the variety and general nature of those performed by employees in this job description. The list is descriptive only and should not be used for any other purpose. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This is not an all-encompassing list and additional duties may be assigned based on business needs. The responsibilities listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Serve as the senior culinary leader in the Catering Chef's absence, ensuring continuity of kitchen operations and execution of all catering functions.

Assist the Catering Chef in planning, organizing, and directing all culinary production for catered events while ensuring food quality, consistency, presentation, and service standards are maintained. Provide culinary input on catering menus and in the Catering Chef’s absence, design, prepare and execute a variety of catering events at a high level of service, including the Board of Director’s quarterly meetings.

Lead daily kitchen stand‑up meetings, as scheduled, to review production schedules, upcoming events, staffing assignments, operational priorities, and quality expectations.

Supervise daily kitchen operations and culinary staff members to ensure all food preparation is completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule for current and upcoming catered events.

Execute and reinforce the Catering Chef's culinary vision by ensuring all recipes, preparation methods, plating standards, and presentation guidelines are consistently followed by kitchen staff.

Direct and oversee the daily production of standard and specialty menu items while maintaining established food quality, portion control, production, and cost standards.

Develop and test new menu items in collaboration with the Catering Chef, incorporating seasonal ingredients, current culinary trends, and client needs while supporting departmental profitability.

Monitor daily production requirements by ensuring all necessary ingredients, supplies, and equipment are available. Communicate shortages, equipment issues, or operational concerns promptly to the Catering Chef and Kitchen Manager.

Conduct quality assurance walkthroughs during catered events to verify food presentation, service execution, replenishment, and overall culinary standards.

Serve as the primary culinary liaison for Front-of-House (FOH) leadership during assigned events to ensure seamless communication and successful event execution.

Oversee end‑of‑day closing procedures, ensuring production for upcoming events is completed whenever possible, outstanding items are communicated to the Catering Chef, and all kitchen equipment—including the Rational oven—is properly cleaned and maintained.

Maintain compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, inventory control, receiving, storage, and equipment maintenance standards. Ensure all health inspections and internal audits meet or exceed company expectations.

Assist the Catering Chef with inventory management, purchasing, food cost controls, labor efficiency, and operational planning.

Train, mentor, coach, and evaluate culinary staff, providing ongoing feedback and fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Assist in interviewing, onboarding, and developing full‑time and part‑time culinary staff.

Resolve customer and operational issues promptly and professionally to ensure exceptional client satisfaction.

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with clients, Front‑of‑House staff, vendors, university departments, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

Must comply with and ensure continued, consistent compliance with all company policies, and federal, state, and local laws/regulations including but not limited to: employment, safety, and health.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

The minimum requirement for applicants is an associate degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Hotel/Restaurant Management or a recognized culinary institution; a bachelor’s degree is preferred; and at least four years’ experience in high volume, multi‑unit food service operations and at least two year’s supervisory experience in a high volume catering kitchen, or similar event driven operation; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, computer literacy, mathematical/financial skills, and proven leadership skills are required.

ServSafe Certified and Management Food Handler Certificate preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Must be able to read, write, and understand English. Spanish is helpful, but is not required. Requires following verbal and written instructions, guidelines, and objectives.

Requires reading, comprehending, analyzing, and interpreting general business information, governmental regulations, and technical/trade journals.

Requires the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Requires the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, subordinates, vendors, other departments, customers, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Requires the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, portions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic math. Requires the ability to prepare and analyze numerical figures and create and interpret spreadsheets. Ability to properly cost menus and ensure costs align with overall financial goals of the department and the organization.

REASONING ABILITY:

Requires applying common‑sense understanding to carry out general written or oral instructions. Must multi‑task, prioritize work, and pay attention to detail. Requires good analytical, quantitative skills, organizational and management skills.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:

Must be able to utilize a computer. Requires the ability to use a variety of office machines and equipment.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:

Must have the ability to talk/expressing and/or exchanging ideas and hear/perceiving sounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to safely operate commercial food service equipment, including but not limited to slicers, mixers, knives, ovens, steamers, and other standard kitchen equipment, as well as basic office equipment such as computers, printers/copiers, and telephones.

Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and perform frequent bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, kneeling, and other physical movements required in a commercial kitchen environment.

Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision and color vision for food preparation and safety.

Must be able to work in a fast‑paced environment with exposure to varying temperatures, including hot cooking surfaces, steam, refrigeration, and freezer conditions.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND HAZARDS

Work is regularly performed in a food production area with frequent exposure to food fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to humid and hot conditions and cleaning chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position requires on‑site presence due to the scope of the duties, and it would not be eligible for remote work.

Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule based on operational needs. This may include opening, mid‑day, and closing shifts, as well as night shifts, weekends, and holidays throughout the year.

BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION:

A background check will be conducted after a conditional offer of employment is extended by the company and accepted by the applicant and must be satisfactorily completed prior to any applicant beginning work in a full‑time, part‑time non‑student, or sensitive student capacity with Aztec Shops Ltd.

Background checks will include, at minimum, verification of education and employment histories, criminal records, national sex offender registry check, and references. Additionally, based on the nature and scope of the position, the background check may also include a credit report, motor vehicle report, and verification of professional licenses.

Failure to answer background check questions honestly, and satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the employment status of applicants or continued employment of current Aztec Shops employees who apply for promotional positions which require a background check.

Aztec Shops Ltd. complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including California Fair Chance Act, when conducting background checks.

Aztec Shops will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Aztec Shops is concerned about criminal history that is directly related to the job, you will be given notice and an opportunity to respond and provide additional information such as rehabilitation efforts or mitigating circumstances, or information pertaining to the accuracy of the background report. Aztec Shops will consider all evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating circumstances. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

Aztec Shops is a diverse community representing many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful culture that promotes open communication, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging, to support the success of both our employees and students.

All Aztec Shops programs and activities are open and accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, and other characteristics protected by law. Consistent with California and federal civil rights laws, Aztec Shops maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.

Aztec Shops is dedicated to providing equal opportunity in employment and ensuring that no employee or applicant faces unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, job assignments, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

Our commitment to equal opportunity ensures that every employee has access to the resources and support needed to thrive and succeed. Aztec Shops complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.

Our Organization
Aztec Shops, Ltd., founded in 1931, is a non‑profit corporation that functions as an auxiliary of San Diego State University. As a “self‑sustaining” non‑profit SDSU auxiliary, Aztec Shops operates without subsidy from the University or the State. The corporation manages a variety of services including operation of SDSU Campus Stores, SDSU Dining, SDSU Conference Services, SDSU Licensing, and Commercial and Residential Real Estate properties surrounding campus.
Mission StatementAztec Shops, Ltd., strives to advance the priorities of San Diego State University and enhance the quality, affordability, and accessibility of every student’s educational experience and success. Aztec Shops is a leader in comprehensive, sustainable and innovative practices and is responsive to the SDSU community, contributing strategically and financially for the greater good of the University, its students and student programs.
Aztec Shops Values......integrity, honesty, transparency and responsibility-- among all Aztec Shops employees and leadership staff.
...a culture of open communication, mutual respect and belonging-- in every facet of our work.
...our partnership with San Diego State University-- with students as the main priority, we actively participate ...one?.
...our professional staff-- Aztec Shops has created a unique culture that encourages a positive work environment and allows for work-life..

U. S. Patents 7,080,057; 7,310,626; 7,558,767; 7,562,059; 7,472,097; 7,606,778; 8,086,558 and 8,046,251.