Pastry Sous Chef

Compass Group, North America; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Job summary

Union Square Events seeks a Pastry Sous Chef to lead high-volume pastry production in a commissary setting while guiding a team of pastry professionals. You will work with the Executive Chef to ensure quality, consistency, and efficient operations across catering and events.

You will balance hands-on pastry work with people leadership, training, scheduling, and daily communication, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume pastry production or bakery operations.
• Experience leading culinary teams, including up to 20 associates.
• Ability to balance hands-on production with people leadership and admin tasks.
• Knowledge of food cost management, waste reduction, inventory control, and purchasing practices.
• Experience supporting catering or large-scale event production is a plus.
• Familiarity with batch production and commissary kitchen environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily pastry production in a high-volume commissary with the leadership team.
• Participate in production while maintaining quality and presentation standards.
• Coordinate labor and workflow to support efficiency and goals.
• Support catering and special event production.
• Contribute ideas for new menu items and culinary programs.
• Lead, coach, and support pastry professionals and hourly staff.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful kitchen culture and growth.
• Assist with training, scheduling, and performance coaching.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support food cost management, waste reduction, and inventory controls.
• Assist with purchasing, product ordering, and inventory levels.
• Monitor processes to align labor and food costs with objectives.
• Uphold food safety and sanitation standards.

Skills

High-volume pastry production

Team leadership

Labour/workflow coordination

Food cost awareness

Inventory control

Safety & sanitation

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Union Square Events

Position Title: Pastry Sous Chef

Salary: $70,000 - $90,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefit Package

Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations leader in the hospitality industry, partnering with a diverse portfolio of best-in-class clients. We produce one-of-a-kind catered events and unparalleled dining experiences in a variety of cultural, corporate, entertainment, and private venues throughout New York City and beyond.

Job Summary

The amazing Union Square Events and CxRA have merged together to bring more magic to the catering world. We are seeking a Pastry Sous Chef to join our Commissary team and help lead high-volume pastry production that supports exceptional culinary experiences across our business. This role combines hands-on pastry production with team leadership, operational excellence, and administrative responsibilities.

As a key member of the culinary leadership team, you will work closely with the Executive Chef and culinary managers to support daily operations, coach and develop team members, maintain quality standards, and contribute to a positive, inclusive kitchen culture. If you enjoy mentoring others, creating high-quality products at scale, and finding innovative ways to improve operations, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the Executive Chef and culinary leadership team to oversee daily pastry production in a high-volume commissary environment.

• Actively participate in production while ensuring consistency, quality, and presentation standards are met.

• Help coordinate labor and workflow to support efficiency and operational goals.

• Support the execution of catering and special event production.

• Contribute ideas for new menu offerings, seasonal items, and culinary programs.

• Lead, coach, and support a team of pastry professionals and hourly associates.

• Foster an environment where team members feel respected, included, and empowered to grow.

• Assist with training, scheduling, performance coaching, and daily communication.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Support food cost management, waste reduction initiatives, and inventory controls.

• Assist with purchasing, product ordering, and maintaining appropriate inventory levels.

• Monitor production processes to help ensure labor and food costs remain aligned with operational objectives.

• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in high-volume pastry production or bakery operations.

• Experience leading or supervising culinary teams, including teams of up to 20 associates.

• Ability to balance hands‑on production responsibilities with people leadership and administrative tasks.

• Knowledge of food cost management, waste reduction, inventory control, and purchasing practices.

• Experience supporting catering operations or large-scale event production is a plus.

• Familiarity with batch production and commissary kitchen environments is helpful.

• Culinary degree, Associate degree, or equivalent combination of education and practical experience.

• Understanding of pastry techniques, quality standards, and production planning.

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Comfort using Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and internet-based systems.

• Commitment to food safety and sanitation best practices.

• ServSafe Certification is preferred.

• Open availability to support business needs.

Union Square Events is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates at Union Square Events are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Life Insurance/ AD

• Disability Insurance

• Retirement Plan

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Parental Leave

• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)

• Personal Leave

• Associate Shopping Program

• Health and Wellness Programs

• Discount Marketplace

• Identity Theft Protection

• Pet Insurance

• Commuter Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here (https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf) or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Union Square Events maintains a drug‑free workplace.