Lead Sous Chef — School Dining & Scratch Kitchen

FLIK Independent School Dining; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Shopping Program

Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking a Sous Chef to support Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's dining program in Waimea, Hawaii. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily food production, menu development, catering, inventory, and supervision of hourly kitchen staff.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree in culinary arts and 2+ years in high-volume foodservice, with strong catering skills and knowledge of scratch cooking, HACCP, and nutrition guidelines.

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.
• ServSafe Certification highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and internet-based tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a strong sense of ownership and collaboration.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Catering experience

Customer focus

Menu planning

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Outlook

Internet-based tools

Job description

Flik Independent School Dining is seeking a Sous Chef to support Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's dining program in Waimea, Hawaii. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will assist with daily food production, menu development, catering, inventory, and supervision of hourly kitchen staff.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree in culinary arts and 2+ years in high-volume foodservice, with strong catering skills and knowledge of scratch cooking, HACCP, and nutrition guidelines.