Jr Sous Chef

SSA Group; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Zoo Membership

Meal Plans

Job summary

SSA Group is seeking a Jr Sous Chef to join our culinary team at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC. The role supports the Sous Chef and leads kitchen operations during shifts, ensuring food quality, safety, and guest satisfaction.

This entry-level position suits culinary enthusiasts looking to grow. The ideal candidate has 1-2 years of culinary experience, strong teamwork, and flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our General Manager and personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
• Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates multi-tasking, detail, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• An ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, takes initiative, uses tact and diplomacy.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Ensure restaurant/location is adequately prepped and staffed (BOH) for daily operation.
• Oversight of location kitchen duties, ensuring quickservice, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are all met and exceeded.
• Oversight of safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste.
• Ensures proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove use with staff.
• Responsible for supporting SSAfety training with knife handling skills, ensuring all direct reports display proper use of knives and slicers.
• Creates daily prep and item lists, delegating to employees as necessary.
• Actively helps to support operations and fill holes as necessary to ensure smooth service.
• Maintains a checklist of routine or daily cleaning tasks and ongoing projects or menu planning.
• Assists the Sous Chef in assigning associates to duties, coaching through projects, daily task,s and guest interaction.
• Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with a report to the operations manager to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigated against further occurrence.
• Oversees personnel duties, including but not limited to: Training new employees and issuing performance reviews.
• Actively managing and issuing progressive documentation to coach and counsel the employee on performance, with oversight from the operations manager.
• Reports employee attendance and any hour discrepancies to the payroll department. Oversees break and rest break management for BOH employees.
• Inspects equipment and performs routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Assists the team to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner by helping complete daily tasks as necessary.
• Communicates with the Sous Chef and Food Service Operations Manager(s) in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
• Works directly with restaurant supervisor(s) to ensure respective locations are operating to standard.
• Remains knowledgeable of and supervises in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• 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.

Skills

Culinary experience

Job description

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 17, 2026 at 4:00 AM

The SSA Group is looking for talented and friendly Jr Sous Chefs to join our culinary team at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden . Experience the thrill of working at one of Columbia's top attractions!

• Flexible hours
• Zoo Membership
• Meal Plans

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: Jr Sous Chef

Reports to: Sous 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.

• Ensure restaurant/location is adequately prepped and staffed (BOH) for daily operation.
• Oversight of location kitchen duties, ensuring quickservice, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are all met and exceeded.
• Oversight of safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste.
• Ensures proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove use with staff.
• Responsible for supporting SSAfety training with knife handling skills, ensuring all direct reports display proper use of knives and slicers.
• Creates daily prep and item lists, delegating to employees as necessary.
• Actively helps to support operations and fill holes as necessary to ensure smooth service.
• Maintains a checklist of routine or daily cleaning tasks and ongoing projects or menu planning.
• Assists the Sous Chef in assigning associates to duties, coaching through projects, daily task,s and guest interaction.
• Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with a report to the operations manager to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigated against further occurrence.
• Oversees personnel duties, including but not limited to:
• Training new employees and issuing performance reviews.
• Actively managing and issuing progressive documentation to coach and counsel the employee on performance, with oversight from the operations manager.
• Reports employee attendance and any hour discrepancies to the payroll department. Oversees break and rest break management for BOH employees.
• Inspects equipment and performs routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
• Assists the team to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner by helping complete daily tasks as necessary.
• Communicates with the Sous Chef and Food Service Operations Manager(s) in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
• Works directly with restaurant supervisor(s) to ensure respective locations are operating to standard.
• Remains knowledgeable of and supervises in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• 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 General Manager and personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
• Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates multi-tasking, detail, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• An ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, takes initiative, uses tact and diplomacy.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, 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

• 1-2 years experience in culinary

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 are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• 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).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave.
• 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.