Junior Sous Chef: Flexible Hours, Zoo Perks

SSA Group; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; 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

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.