Production Sous Chef - Airline Catering

LSG Sky Chefs stands as one of the world's premier airline catering and hospitality providers, renowned for its exceptional service and innovative approach within the industry. With a strong footprint across North and Latin America, the company has earned the prestigious title of "Airline Caterer of the Year in North America" for 2023 and 2024. This accolade reflects the dedication, expertise, and passion that drive its workforce to consistently deliver top-tier culinary experiences to clients and their passengers. Established with a commitment to quality, hygiene, and customer satisfaction, LSG Sky Chefs has built a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where every team member contributes to its outstanding reputation. Located in Baltimore, USA, this opportunity offers an on-site employment type with a competitive salary range between $60,000 and $72,000 per annum.

The Production Sous Chef - Airline Catering role at LSG Sky Chefs is a vital culinary leadership position focused on delivering high-quality airline meals adhering to company standards, menu specifications, and production schedules. This role demands a meticulous approach to food preparation styles including cleaning, cutting, marinating, seasoning, and cooking various food items while ensuring safety, hygiene, and quality benchmarks are consistently met. Beyond hands-on meal preparation, the Production Sous Chef supervises and coordinates kitchen helpers in maintaining food storage best practices such as tidiness and the 'first in, first out' principle to reduce waste and maintain freshness. The role includes conducting inventories, monitoring material consumption, and promptly ordering necessary food and kitchen equipment to align with daily production plans.

In addition to overseeing food production, the Production Sous Chef assumes responsibilities of the Executive Chef during their absence, encompassing menu presentations to customers and ensuring seamless kitchen operations. Collaboration and innovation are encouraged as the role participates in the development of new food products and menu offerings to keep client satisfaction and market trends at the forefront. Exceptional knowledge of catering manuals and the ability to implement necessary updates underscore the commitment to continuous improvement and compliance. This role also involves responding proactively to customer complaints and integrating corrective actions swiftly to maintain quality standards.

Quality assurance is central to the responsibilities, including monitoring hygiene, health, and safety standards in line with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations. Routine quality control checks on production processes and goods receipt ensure adherence to strict recipe specifications and company policies. Leadership skills are essential for properly organizing, staffing, and directing the kitchen area, motivating and developing subordinate employees within the Human Resources policy framework. This leadership extends to embodying the company’s values and management principles within the department.

Financial acumen is equally crucial, as the Production Sous Chef manages the cost budget, identifies variances, and initiates corrective actions to maintain operational efficiency. Participation in company-sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standard (GQS), HACCP, and Lean Manufacturing supports ongoing improvement efforts. Candidates are expected to have three to five years of commercial cooking experience or hold an Apprenticeship or Certification from a culinary school. A profound understanding of food and hygiene regulations, financial controls including food cost management, stock control, and waste minimization, combined with strong communication, organizational, and service orientation skills, is vital. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications complements the required leadership capabilities. LSG Sky Chefs is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer welcoming women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.