Sous Chef

Senior Dining Association Inc.; Hanover Township (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Time Off

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

Unidine in Whippany, NJ is seeking a Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in food production and kitchen operations. You will oversee dish preparation, supervise staff, and ensure quality while thriving in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of culinary experience, a culinary degree, strong leadership, and cost management skills. The role offers competitive compensation and merit increases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in culinary arts or related field.
• 3–5 years progressive culinary experience and leadership ability.
• Strong cost control, quality assessment, and kitchen operations knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee the preparation of high‑quality, innovative dishes with cost‑effective practices.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop and update menus using seasonal ingredients.
• Assist in planning and executing daily kitchen operations and inventory control.
• Support kitchen management with ordering, staffing, and training.
• Contribute to cost control measures and budget adherence.

Skills

Food cost management

Product quality

Kitchen operations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts / Food Service Management

Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts with advanced training

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Internet applications

Job description

Sous Chef - Whippany, NJ

Salary:$65,000 - $70,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Merit Increases

Kosher experience preferred, not required. This is a faith based facility.

Think Fresh! Lead with Excellence!

An industry leading hospitality food service group, Unidine is driven by its exceptional people sharing their passion, creativity and talent to craft memorable guest experiences. Unidine’s commitment to scratch cooking, innovative programs, venue concepts and services continues to push boundaries and modernize dining programs for hundreds of clients around the nation. Our restaurants, bars, cafeterias and bistros offer a place for guests to enjoy something extraordinary. That is why we believe that using the freshest ingredients makes for the best dishes, staying ahead of industry trends pushes us to be innovative, and giving team members the right tools and resources helps them to perform their best. Come and join our award-winning team!

Job Summary

The Sous Chef is a pivotal role within our kitchen, assisting the Executive Chef in managing all aspects of food production and kitchen operations. This role involves overseeing the preparation and presentation of high-quality dishes, supervising and training kitchen staff, and ensuring that all culinary operations run smoothly and efficiently. The ideal candidate will have a passion for culinary excellence, strong leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Excellence

• Prepare and oversee the preparation of high-quality, innovative dishes that adhere to cost-effective practices and corporate guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop and update menus based on seasonal ingredients, market trends, and customer feedback.

Operational Support

• Assist the Executive Chef in planning and executing daily kitchen operations.
• Assist in all aspects of kitchen management including planning, ordering, inventory control, and food preparation.

Cost Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of cost control measures, monitoring expenditures to align with budgetary constraints.

Team Supervision

• Conduct regular inspections to ensure kitchen cleanliness, organization, and meets sanitation standards while supervising and guiding kitchen staff.
• Employee Development: Inspire, train, and mentor back-of-house employees to enhance performance and achieve operational objectives.
• Additional Duties: Perform other related responsibilities as assigned to support the culinary team and operational goals.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Technology/Management, or a related field; or Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts with advanced specialized training.
• Experience: 3-5 years of progressive culinary experience with a proven track record in various kitchen positions and stations.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to think quickly, adapt, and create exceptional dishes under pressure. Proficient in food cost management, product quality assessment, and kitchen operations.
• Technical Proficiency: Competent in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and Internet applications.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and written/verbal communication skills.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Flexible 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)

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. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

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

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Unidine maintains a drug-free workplace.