Executive Chef

Auburn, WA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $100,000.00 - $110,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Vacation or tafw plan

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

short-term disability

long-term disability

Birthing parent plan

Paid parental leave

401K Program

cell phone stipend

Job Description

SSA Group at the Museum of Pop Culture is a premier cultural attraction dining and hospitality provider with a strong commitment to enhancing guest experiences across zoos, aquariums, museums, and similar venues throughout the United States. With over 50 years of experience, SSA Group stands out by pioneering innovative approaches in the integration of dining, retail, and admissions for its partners, elevating revenue streams and guest satisfaction simultaneously. The company values sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation as core pillars, ensuring that every initiative focuses on positive community impact and creating memorable, quality experiences for visitors. SSA operates with a family-oriented ethos, dedicated to supporting the missions of their partners by customizing industry best practices and setting a high standard in cultural attraction hospitality. Being part of SSA Group means joining a team that strives to balance operational excellence with community and environmental responsibility, offering a workplace where ideas and dedication combine to transform the industry and make a lasting difference.

The Executive Chef role at SSA Group represents a critical leadership position, reporting directly to the General Manager at the Museum of Pop Culture location. This full-time position commands a comprehensive responsibility over culinary operations, ensuring not only the delivery of top-tier food quality and presentation but also the effective management of kitchen staff, inventory, food safety, and overall operational goals. The Executive Chef will lead by example in maintaining rigorous standards for sanitation and safety, fostering a positive, inclusive work environment, and driving culinary innovation that aligns with current market trends, customer preferences, and nutritional guidelines. This role requires overseeing kitchen personnel recruitment, training, and ongoing development while collaborating closely with other teams to uphold the company's commitment to SSA EXTRA Guest Service, ensuring every guest leaves with a memorable dining experience.

The Executive Chef will also strategically plan menus, control food costs, and oversee the ordering and receipt of food products, maintaining strong vendor relationships, as well as adhering to all health and safety regulations, including compliance with ServSafe and HACCP standards. Additionally, the chef will play a key role in sustainability initiatives, integrating green practices into culinary operations and encouraging team engagement in community and conservation efforts. Leadership abilities in managing payroll and budget, scheduling staff appropriately, and meeting sales and profit targets are essential, alongside maintaining open communication with clients and company leadership. This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation or Flexible Time Away From Work (TAFW), medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options, short- and long-term disability benefits, parental leave plans, a 401k program, and a monthly cell phone stipend. SSA Group encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment where all employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the cultural attraction industry's vibrant future.

Job Requirements

Five years chef experience in high volume restaurant country club catering or cultural attraction venue
Culinary Arts Degree
ServSafe Certified
Knowledge of HACCP
Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to articulate to clients management and personnel
Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building and development while fostering partnerships
Exceptional problem solving and decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized
Demonstrates financial management merchandising analytical planning and leadership skills
Demonstrates flexibility in a fast-paced environment
Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions
Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes 35lbs as necessary to operation which entails lifting and perform all functions as set forth above
Ability to work varied hours days including nights weekends and holidays as needed

Job Qualifications

Five years chef experience in high volume restaurant country club catering or cultural attraction venue
Culinary Arts Degree
ServSafe Certified
Knowledge of HACCP
Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to articulate to clients management and personnel
Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building and development while fostering partnerships
Exceptional problem solving and decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized
Demonstrates financial management merchandising analytical planning and leadership skills
Demonstrates flexibility in a fast-paced environment
Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions
Ability to work varied hours days including nights weekends and holidays as needed

Job Duties

Interview hire evaluate reward and progressively coach kitchen personnel as appropriate
Develop culinary training programs for food production employees and serve as a culinary resource to promote quality food services
Train kitchen personnel in safe operating procedures of all equipment utensils and machinery as well as food production principles and practices
Assist General Manager with accurate forecast of weekly and monthly sales as necessary
Direct and coordinate the work of production and dish room staff
Maintain a close relationship with the client's staff to ensure a positive working relationship
Manage employees in accordance with State and Federal labor laws
Maintain a clean safe and organized work environment
Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures
Perform the steps of SSA EXTRA Guest Service to ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client
Supervise period end inventory for all food and beverage areas
Direct and participate in the daily preparation of standard and gourmet food items
Supervise and participate in the preparation and display of menu items for special functions
Monitor and track proper cooking and holding temperatures
Establish maintenance schedules in conjunction with manufacturer's instructions for all equipment provide safety training in lifting carrying hazardous material control chemical control and basic first aid
Facilitate the maintenance and repairs of facility and equipment
Ensure overall consistency and high quality across various operations plan menus based on market trends customer preferences and nutritional considerations
Inspect all locations to observe quality of food preparation and service food appearance and cleanliness and sanitation of production and service areas equipment and employee appearance
Place all food product orders and assist with shipping receiving and distribution maintain communication with vendors
Evaluate the quality of raw food and ensure the quality of finished products
Implement and enforce sanitary practices for food handling general cleanliness and maintenance of kitchen and or dining areas
Comply with all food safety regulations and practices
Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety regulations
Process invoices to office team ensuring smooth communication so that all vendors are paid within terms
Manage all operational functions of the Culinary aspects within the Unit's operation
Control food cost within HQ purchasing specifications storeroom requisition systems product storage requirements standardization recipes and waste control procedures
Prepare operational reports and analyses setting forth progress trends and make appropriate recommendations
Analyze sales and inventory to maximize opportunities
Manage payroll and controllable profit within established guidelines
Meet payroll budget percent expectations by being strategic with coverage on-call shifts etc
Schedule appropriate staff levels in accordance with budget and business forecast
Set precedent to achieve Sales Per Cap & Controllable Budget
Incorporate sustainable resources into the culinary selections
Promote an inclusive & supportive approach at the Unit
Support unit in being an example for Company & Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts
Display knowledge of efforts in business application and provide adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary
Support SSA / Unit in driving community effort through hiring efforts engagement activities and focus on opportunities of giving back
Perform other tasks as deemed necessary