Food Service - Sous Chef at Seneca Park Zoo

SSA Group has been a trusted partner for cultural attractions for over 50 years, specializing in crafting exceptional hospitality experiences that allow their partners to focus on their core mission. Combining admissions, culinary services, and retail with innovation and human connection, SSA Group creates seamless guest journeys that leave lasting impressions. Known for their unique approach called 452 Hospitality, they put people, innovation, and operational intelligence at the forefront of their service philosophy, creating memorable moments for guests and clients alike. SSA Group operates as a leader in the hospitality industry, providing diverse services that support cultural institutions, ensuring both operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

The Sous Chef position at SSA Group is a critical role reporting directly to the Executive Chef, designed for a culinary professional with a passion for delivering high-quality food products and outstanding guest experiences. This role is full-time and non-exempt, offering eligibility for overtime pay, with comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and various voluntary benefits for employees and their families. Additionally, the position includes participation in a 401(k) plan with a 15% company match, paid leave for qualifying reasons, paid bereavement, on-demand pay, meal plans, employee discounts, tuition discounts, holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for certain holidays, and paid sick leave in accordance with state and local laws.

As Sous Chef, you will embody the principles of 452 Hospitality by ensuring every guest and client receives warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences. Your responsibilities will include supervising and producing competitive quality culinary products, assisting with menu pricing and preparation, estimating food consumption for various events, and implementing new cooking techniques. You will be expected to train, coach, and counsel kitchen staff while maintaining strict adherence to food safety regulations and sanitary practices. Managing payroll within established guidelines, monitoring inventory levels, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards are also essential components of this position.

Beyond culinary expertise, the role requires leadership skills to foster a positive team environment by encouraging development, partnerships, and inclusivity within the brand team. The Sous Chef will actively promote sustainability and conservation efforts, engage in community outreach through SSA programs, and lead by example in all environmental and social responsibility initiatives.

This position demands physical stamina to stand for extended periods and handle materials weighing up to 35 pounds. Flexibility is key, as work hours may vary, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must bring three years of food preparation experience, relevant culinary training, and certifications such as ServSafe or food handling credentials, along with knowledge of HACCP principles.

SSA Group is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds to help strengthen their team and collective success. The company complies fully with workplace fairness regulations and privacy laws, supporting an equitable hiring process for all applicants. If you are passionate about hospitality and are ready to contribute to an innovative, dynamic culinary team, SSA Group welcomes your application anytime via their website thessagroup.com. The position remains open until filled, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.