Sous Chef

Sodexo is a leading global provider of food services and facilities management, committed to improving quality of life and creating better everyday experiences for its clients and their communities. As part of its Campus Segment, Sodexo partners with educational institutions to deliver high-quality dining services tailored to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), located in Ewing, NJ, has partnered with Sodexo to enhance its dining program with an emphasis on exceptional food quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.

This Sodexo opportunity at TCNJ is designed for a motivated and talented culinary professional to join as a Sous Chef. The role is central to the daily culinary operations, overseeing food preparation and production in assigned areas such as hot foods, soups, salads, and specialty concepts. More than just a chef position, it involves leadership responsibilities to ensure that food preparation standards meet Sodexo and client expectations for quality, consistency, and presentation.

The Sous Chef plays a critical role in maintaining food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety compliance, adhering to HACCP protocols and Sodexo's rigorous standards. Beyond direct food production, the role involves inventory management, product rotation, ordering processes, and waste reduction initiatives that contribute to operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Team development is a key component, with the Sous Chef responsible for training, coaching, and mentoring frontline culinary staff to promote skill growth and operational excellence.

Additionally, the Sous Chef collaborates closely with culinary leadership on menu development, catering, and special event executions, ensuring a versatile and appealing dining experience for all campus patrons. This role requires someone passionate about food and service, capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment, and committed to delivering a positive dining experience for the diverse campus community.

Sodexo offers a competitive compensation package that is equitable and based on the candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision care, wellness programs, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off, company holidays, and opportunities for career advancement and tuition reimbursement. New employees receive detailed benefits information upon hire.

The ideal candidate has culinary experience in high-volume settings such as hospitality, restaurant, or campus dining environments. Knowledge of food preparation techniques, production systems, food safety, HACCP, and sanitation standards is essential. Strong organizational skills, excellent communication, leadership ability, customer service orientation, analytical thinking, and adaptability are critical for success in this role. Above all, the candidate should demonstrate integrity, dependability, and professionalism.

Sodexo values diversity and inclusive practices, ensuring a respectful and supportive workplace where everyone's contributions are valued. The company is an equal opportunity employer and provides accommodations for applicants who need assistance during the application process.

Joining Sodexo's dining team at The College of New Jersey offers culinary professionals a unique chance to grow their career while making a tangible impact on the campus community. Through this role, candidates can develop their culinary and leadership skills, contribute to sustainable food service practices, and support Sodexo's mission to enhance quality of life through exceptional service and innovation.