Sous Chef

Columbia Hospitality; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LTD Bus Pass

Paid Time off & Holiday Pay

Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, E

401K

HSA/FSA Plans

Referral Bonus

Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf,

Employee Assistance Program

Columbia Cares volunteer opportunities

Online Learning Platform

Third Party Perks

Job summary

Columbia Hospitality is seeking a Sous Chef for Valley River Inn in Eugene. The role oversees daily kitchen operations, ensuring quality and safety while leading a team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

You will implement menus, manage costs, and coordinate with chefs to uphold standards across all service moments in a riverfront setting.

Qualifications

• Culinary arts degree or equivalent training is required or preferred.
• 7+ years in the industry and 2+ years in culinary management in a similar environment.
• Excellent business communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage according to employment and industry laws; strong conflict management.

Responsibilities

• Maintain day-to-day operation of the kitchen and ensure standards.
• Develop procedures to meet or exceed established standards.
• Communicate with Executive Sous Chef and Executive Chef daily.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, sanitation and safety.
• Oversee staff training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Control food and labor costs and inventory.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Multitasking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Culinary arts degree

State Food Handler’s License

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Sous Chef | Valley River Inn

Let’s start off with the most important part-what’s in it for you:

• Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status
• Hourly Rate $25.00
• LTD Bus Pass
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time off & Holiday Pay (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people-first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight-knit, inclusive, values-driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and a genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

What Success Looks Like:

Your Impact

• Maintains responsibility for day-to-day operation of the kitchen
• Develops and implements procedures to ensure that all work practices meet or exceed the established standards
• Communicates daily with Executive Sous Chef and Executive Chef for updates, changes and revisions to existing contracts
• Maintains standards for food quality, presentation, handling, sanitation and safety. Follows all appropriate policies and procedures
• Ensures timely and courteous follow-through on all client, guest, and team member requests
• Assists in the selection, supervision, training, development, scheduling, evaluating, disciplining, and counseling of staff
• Demonstrates positive leadership characteristics that empower and inspire employees to meet and exceed standards
• Monitors food and labor costs
• Conducts daily walk-through of all walk-in refrigerators, dry storage areas and food lines to ensure rotation, usage, cleanliness and proper sanitation
• Utilizes specification sheets to prepare daily preparation requirements, maintains par levels of necessary items
• Assists in the preparation of new menu items
• Ensures attractive, consistent presentations of food items, both buffet and plated Interacts/supervises line cooks to monitor quality, presentation and consistency of food items prepared
• Handles all needs and accommodates customer requests in a timely manner
• Sets up, re-stocks, maintains, and cleans food preparation areas
• Responsible for ensuring presentation standards are meet for all hot and cold items
• Reads and interprets recipes
• Conducts product inventories, ordering and receiving of product
• Responsible for team maintenance of grooming standards
• Responsible for team adherence to standards for sanitation and safe food handling
• Responsible for all opening and closing kitchen procedures

What You Bring

• A culinary arts degree and/or equivalent training with 7+ years in industry and 2+ years of experience in culinary management role in a similar environment
• Must possess excellent business communication skills (both written and verbal) in order to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries
• Ability to manage according to employment and industry-relevant laws
• To successfully perform the duties described, conflict management and negotiation skills are required
• Must be flexible and able to perform multiple tasks, work in stressful situations with shifting priorities
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other computer programs.
• Must demonstrate excellent people skills and a professional, friendly, and enthusiastic demeanor
• Be detail-oriented, reliable and punctual, and have exceptional organizational skills
• Necessary State Food Handler’s License(s)

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Where you’ll work:

Welcome to Eugene’s Only Riverfront Hotel—a place where natural beauty meets warm hospitality. Nestled along the banks of the Willamette River, Valley River Inn offers a tranquil retreat for guests with over 250 fully renovated rooms and suites, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the Pacific Northwest charm while providing the comforts of a modern, upscale experience.

Whether it’s savoring a glass of local Willamette Valley wine on a private balcony overlooking the river or enjoying the vibrant sunset, the setting offers an unforgettable connection to Eugene’s natural surroundings.

This historic property is home to Sweet Waters on the River, a beloved local dining destination, and features over 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, making it a favorite for gatherings of all sizes. Located just minutes from Eugene’s bustling downtown, the University of Oregon, and iconic venues like Autzen Stadium and Hayward Field, Valley River Inn is at the heart of Eugene’s cultural and recreational scene.