Sous Chef

Compass Group USA; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appétit Management Company, a member of Compass Group USA, is seeking a dynamic Sous Chef to lead culinary operations in our San Jose café. The role centers on food quality, menu execution, and mentoring a high-performing kitchen team, with daily oversight of culinary processes and budgets.

Responsibilities include safety leadership, staff training, and ensuring exceptional hospitality while maintaining allergen controls and sustainability goals.

Qualifications

• Culinary leadership experience in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated commitment to food and workplace safety.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for delivering hospitality and sustainable food programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food quality and culinary process.
• Mentor and train kitchen staff for high performance.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and allergen management.
• Collaborate with Chef de Cuisine to drive operational excellence.
• Manage administrative tasks and budgeting related to the kitchen.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Safety leadership

Communication skills

Operational alignment

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

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Location: San Jose, CA

Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday, 9:00am - 7:00pm Pacific

Pay Grade:11

Salary: $76,240 - $78,000 / year

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic Sous Chef to join our exceptional Bon Appétit team in a pivotal culinary leadership role.

The Sous Chef is responsible for shaping the daily culinary experience within the café, overseeing all facets of food quality, driving the culinary process, and ensuring the efficiency of service. This position requires an understanding of diverse culinary techniques, an unyielding passion for crafting exceptional dishes, and a strong ability to mentor and inspire a high-performing kitchen team. On a daily basis, you will manage a wide range of administrative and operational tasks, including the monitoring ofthe overall budget. Beyond these responsibilities, the Sous Chef collaborates closely with the Chef de Cuisine to cultivate robust relationships with key stakeholders, collectively driving operational excellence and enhancing the overall user experience.

Bon Appétit is deeply committed to a culture of workplace and food safety, which you will champion every day. As the Sous Chef, you will set the standard for responsible practices, ensuring the well-being of our guests, our valued team members, and yourself.

The client food program’s vision is to inspire and enable the world to make food choices and use food experiences to develop more sustainable lifestyles and communities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Food & Workplace Safety: Rigorously manage workplace and food safety standards, including meticulous allergen management, to ensure the highest levels of guest well-being and operational safety
• Culinary Vision: Contribute to the overall dining experience by executing and refining the culinary offerings with precision and creativity
• Operational Flow:Strictly adhere to all menu, production, and preparation guidelines; diligently follow opening/closing checklists and uphold responsibility guides to maintain seamless operations
• Nourishing Meals: Prepare and present thoughtfully balanced meals that effectively fuel and delight our users throughout their day
• Exceptional Hospitality: Set and maintain a consistent expectation of genuinely engaging hospitality across all service interactions
• Team Talent: Actively train, coach, and develop kitchen team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth
• Sustainable Sourcing: Assist the Chef de Cuisine in ensuring all ingredients and products are procured in alignment with sector and food program purchasing standards, emphasizing our commitment to sustainability

Preferred Qualifications:

• Culinary Experience: A minimum of 2 years of kitchen supervisory experience or applicable culinary leadership experience within a similar volume, high-quality food service establishment
• Safety Leadership: Demonstrated ability to champion and enhance a culture focused on Food and Workplace Safety
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of inspiring and guiding a team
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in computer and technical skills, including a working knowledge of Google Suite tools
• Operational Alignment: Passion for the intersection of exceptional food, sustainability, and hospitality
• Certifications: ServSafe Certification is preferred
• Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at Bon Appetit 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

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 or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

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

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.