Sous Chef

Compass Group USA; New York; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Personal Leave

Job summary

Restaurant Associates in NYC seeks a hands-on Sous Chef for a premier, high-volume corporate dining account. You will help lead daily kitchen operations, oversee production, ensure top-quality food, presentation, and service, and collaborate with the culinary team on menu development and event execution.

The ideal candidate has progressive kitchen management experience in high-volume environments, strong leadership, and a proven ability to mentor hourly staff, manage costs, and exceed client

Qualifications

• Progressive culinary and kitchen management experience in high-volume operations.
• Ability to lead and mentor hourly culinary staff.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality, and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef in leading daily kitchen operations.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and plating to uphold high standards.
• Assist with menu development and culinary innovation for events.
• Manage food and labor costs, inventory, and production planning.
• Lead and train hourly staff, fostering accountability and excellence.
• Coordinate catered events and elevated dining experiences.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with account leadership and corporate culinary teams.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Cost controls

Staff training

Food safety

Microsoft Office

ServSafe

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations!Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary:

As Sous Chef for a premier, high-volume corporate dining account in NYC, you will play a key leadership role in delivering exceptional culinary experiences while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, consistency, presentation, and service. Partnering closely with the culinary team, you will help lead daily kitchen operations, oversee high-volume food production, develop innovative menus, and ensure seamless execution across all culinary offerings.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-profile environment, understands the complexities of large-scale foodservice operations, and is passionate about developing talent, driving operational excellence, and exceeding client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Executive Chef in leading all aspects of daily culinary operations, ensuring consistent execution across high-volume food production and service.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, and presentation while maintaining exceptional standards for quality, freshness, consistency, and timeliness.
• Assist with menu development, seasonal offerings, and culinary innovation tailored to client expectations and the needs of a premier account.
• Manage food and labor costs, monitor inventory, minimize waste, and support effective purchasing and production planning to achieve financial objectives.
• Lead, train, and mentor hourly culinary associates, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, professional development, and culinary excellence.
• Coordinate and execute catered events, special functions, and elevated dining experiences while maintaining operational efficiency and attention to detail.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef, account leadership, and corporate culinary and marketing teams to implement new culinary programs, concepts, and initiatives.
• Monitor production levels, forecast demand, and optimize staffing and workflow to support efficient service in a complex, high-volume environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Progressive culinary and kitchen management experience, preferably within a premier, high-volume, high-expectation foodservice operation.
• Experience with catering, special events, and elevated dining programs preferred.
• Ability to lead large-scale food production while maintaining exceptional quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Experience managing complex culinary operations, including multiple service periods, diverse menus, and high-volume production demands.
• Strong knowledge of food and labor cost controls, inventory management, purchasing, production forecasting, and waste reduction.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to coach, motivate, and develop culinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a dynamic operation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Outlook, email, and other relevant technology.
• A client-focused mindset with a demonstrated commitment to service excellence, continuous improvement, and client satisfaction.
• ServSafe certification strongly preferred.

Restaurant Associates 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.

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.