Sous Chef

The Virginian by Cogir; Mantua (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Early access to paycheck

Health, Dental, Vision & Life

Paid vacation & holidays

401K with company match

Free meals at work

Employee Assistance Program

Employee referral program

Job summary

The Virginian by Cogir is seeking a skilled Sous Chef to lead daily kitchen operations in a senior living community. You will supervise cooks, plan menus, manage costs, and ensure high standards of sanitation and resident satisfaction.

Work with the Executive Chef and Dining Services leadership to deliver diverse, from-scratch meals, including seasonal menus, while training staff and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; culinary education preferred.
• Serve Safe Manager certification and knowledge of kitchen sanitation and food codes.
• Minimum three years of food preparation in full-service kitchens; one year supervisory preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations and staffing for the community restaurant.
• Supervise back- and front-of-house staff and ensure budget adherence.
• Plan menus, monitor inventory, and manage cost controls.
• Ensure sanitation, safety, and regulatory compliance across the kitchen.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train department staff; cover shifts as needed.
• Prepare meals per established menus, recipes, and dietary guidelines.

Skills

Food preparation

Supervisory experience

Knife handling

Dietary restrictions for seniors

Large-batch cooking

Creativity in menu planning

Education

High School Diploma

Culinary education preferred

Serve Safe Manager / Food Handler Certificate

Job description

Description

THE COMPANY

Cogir Senior Living, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, proudly oversees a network of senior living communities spanning 11 states nationwide. As a trusted leader in senior housing, we are dedicated to growth while maintaining our commitment to exceptional care for our residents and a supportive, growth-focused environment for our team members.

At The Virginian by Cogir, our culture is rooted in the core values of human focus, creativity, and excellence, which inspire us to continuously improve and achieve excellence in all we do. Join us in our mission to enrich the lives of our residents while building a meaningful and fulfilling career!

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive wages, training, and growth opportunities.
• Early access to paycheck (pay on demand).
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Leave.
• 401K with company match.
• Free meals at work.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous Employee Referral Program and more.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our Sous Chef, in collaboration with the Executive Chef, Director of Culinary Experience, and the Dining Services leadership team is responsible for all daily operations and staffing for the community's restaurant. This includes supervising all kitchen staff, meal preparation, purchasing, cost control, sanitation, safety, and staff training. As Sous Chef, you will have the opportunity to connect with and positively impact the lives of our residents daily. We create everything from traditional comfort food to unique and exciting culinary options from around the globe, and a seasonal menu that changes quarterly using fresh local ingredients. We focus on cooking and baking almost everything from scratch. The ideal candidate is a skilled and passionate culinary professional with a strong commitment to providing exceptional service to seniors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Director of Culinary Experience, Executive Chef, and the Dining Services leadership team to run the department efficiently and effectively within budget.
• Ensure resident satisfaction through a top-notch dining experience.
• Direct and manage all back- and front-of-the-house staff.
• Maintain all departmental documentation according to state and federal regulations.
• Assist in the planning and execution of all menus and meal preparation, department and family events, and catering functions.
• Maintain inventory control of food, alcohol, supplies, and equipment, and purchase as necessary.
• Assist in the recruitment efforts for the department, including interviewing, hiring, and training staff.
• Cover shifts resulting from call-offs.
• Prepare and cook meals following established menus, recipes, dietary, and sanitary guidelines.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of cleaning supplies and chemicals.
• Maintain a professional appearance.
• Aid in all kitchen operations as needed.

Requirements

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and certificates:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Culinary education is preferred, or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Serve Safe Manager (Food Handler Certificate) with an understanding of kitchen sanitation and food codes.

Experience, Competencies, and Skills:

• At least three (3) years of food preparation experience in full-service kitchen surroundings, including following recipes and cooking dishes from scratch.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment and knife handling skills.
• Knowledge of dietary restrictions and meal modifications for seniors is a plus.
• Proficiency in preparing a variety of meals, including large-batch cooking.
• Creative culinary and prep skills are a plus.
• Previous experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality settings is highly desirable.
• Availability to work flexible shifts, including weekends and holidays.