Sous Chef (Large Scale Meal Delivery)

Locale is an innovative company focused on producing high protein prepared meals that prioritize health, longevity, and sustainability. Based in Hayward, California, Locale specializes in delivering weekly meal plans that feature exclusively organic and nutrient-dense ingredients. The company is committed to avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, emulsifiers, and seed oils in their recipes. To further promote environmental consciousness, all meals are packed in microplastic-free glass jars. Locale represents a new wave in prepared meals, reinventing the production process at scale by combining operational precision, health considerations, and unparalleled consistency.

The role of the Sous Chef at Locale is unique and specialized to fit the needs of a large-scale food production environment rather than a traditional restaurant kitchen. This is an exceptional opportunity for culinary leaders experienced in managing commissary kitchens, food manufacturing facilities, or large catering operations that produce thousands of meals weekly. The Sous Chef will work closely with the Executive Sous Chef to lead and manage a production team of more than 40 part-time cooks, directing operations that produce over 25,000 meals each week. The position demands a leadership style grounded in operational discipline, process optimization, and quality control.

The Sous Chef will be deeply involved in overseeing batch production processes while ensuring the meals meet high standards of nutrition, taste, and safety. They will play a critical role in designing and refining food production workflows to boost efficiency, maximize yield, and maintain consistency across high-volume output. Maintaining rigorous adherence to food safety standards, including HACCP and other regulatory requirements, will be a top priority within this fast-paced production setting.

Furthermore, the Sous Chef will be responsible for training and developing production personnel to operate efficiently in a structured environment characterized by high volume and complexity. This includes stepping in personally to handle complex recipes and accurately scaling batch sizes from research and development phases to mass production. The role promises a dynamic and supportive environment that encourages innovation and leadership within a growing start-up framework.

The position is full-time, based primarily in Hayward, CA, with short-term responsibilities in Oakland during a facility build-out phase. Locale offers a competitive salary range of $75,000 to $90,000 annually, reflecting the candidate's experience and capabilities. Additional benefits include a 401k plan, health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, equity ownership opportunities, employee discounts, and staff meals. The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, with required flexibility to meet scaling production demands.