Sous Chef of Operations

gategroup is a leading global provider of airline catering and airport services, dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for airline passengers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence, passion, responsibility, and respect, gategroup serves numerous airlines by offering high-quality meals and exceptional food services that meet the highest industry standards. The company operates extensive food production facilities and employs a skilled team of culinary experts who prioritize food safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Known for its robust training programs and employee-focused culture, gategroup values workforce diversity and promotes a safe and inclusive workplace for all its employees.

The role of Sous Chef, Operations at gategroup is a pivotal position within the culinary team, responsible for assisting the Executive Sous Chef Operations or the Executive Chef in designing and preparing meals tailored to airline customers. This full-time role, with an annual salary range of $80,000 to $90,000, offers a dynamic work environment that involves supervising high-volume food production and ensuring strict adherence to food safety and sanitation regulations including FDA, USDA, and HACCP standards. The Sous Chef, Operations takes a leadership position to drive food production efforts alongside Food Supervisors while managing labor objectives and food specifications that meet company and customer requirements.

In this role, the Sous Chef, Operations will oversee all aspects of meal preparation and production, including ordering raw materials, preparing daily production sheets, and quality control to maintain consistency in both hot and cold kitchen outputs. The candidate will also be responsible for staff scheduling, performance coaching, and maintaining compliance with wage and hour policies including meal and rest breaks. With up to 40 direct reports varying by unit, this role demands strong organizational and leadership skills to foster a positive and productive kitchen environment, reduce employee turnover, and promote employee development.

Ideal candidates possess at least 1-3 years of experience as a Chef or Sous Chef, with a minimum of 7 years of cooking experience and preferably prior supervisory experience in a high-volume food production or catering environment. Culinary arts education such as an associate degree or certification is preferred, alongside skills in menu design, labor relations, and computer proficiency including Microsoft Office. ServSafe certification is a plus.

The Sous Chef, Operations position requires physical stamina, including the ability to stand, bend, lift, and move products exceeding 25 pounds during shifts often lasting over 55 hours per week. The successful candidate will be a motivated leader with excellent communication abilities, capable of managing multiple tasks effectively under pressure, and committed to upholding gategroup's core values to deliver outstanding results. This role involves travel up to 25% within the USA and interaction with various internal departments and airline customers. Benefits include paid time off, 401k with company match, medical, dental, vision plans, and more, supporting a holistic approach to employee well-being and job satisfaction.