Executive Sous Chef

Job overview

The Executive Sous Chef manages staff and day-to-day Kitchen operations including planning and managing the production and presentation of quality food in a cost effective, safe manner.  Creates and recommends menu changes to achieve guest satisfaction. The Executive Sous Chef manages responsibilities in alignment with senior management, Company policies and procedures, brand standards and local, state and national regulations.  Responsible for quality service, meeting/exceeding financial and service goals, and managing within approved plans and objectives.  Contributes to and recommends budget, capital expenditures, inventory controls, sales and business plans, and short/long term planning.  Reports, investigates and resolves violations to internal controls, policies, procedures, standards and regulations. 

This position directly manages assigned staff and indirectly manages all subordinates.  Articulates Company goals to the staff.  Demonstrates commitment to these goals through work ethic, integrity and respect for the Company and associates.  Unites associates in a common commitment to achieve and exceed these goals.  Works closely with management throughout the hotel and the Company.  Impresses guests with quality and timely service in a pleasant and friendly manner.

What you will be doing

• Guest Satisfaction – Manage Kitchen services in compliance with policies, procedures, standards and regulations.  Manage staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage while managing the department budget.  Train and motivate associates to have positive and effective guest relations skills.  Ensure staff compliance with all guest service basics such as uniforms, name tags and proper guest greeting.  Ensure timely response to guest needs.  Resolve guest complaints as appropriate to maintain guest satisfaction.  Regularly review service scores to identify areas needing improvement and implement appropriate changes.  Be knowledgeable on hotel facilities, services and the city to assist guests as appropriate.
• Human Resources – In conjunction with the Human Resources department, recruit, hire, train, coach, counsel, resolve conflicts, discipline and terminate staff as appropriate through fair treatment and in compliance with Company policies and procedures.  Clearly communicate to associates the standards of performance and their role in contributing to individual and team success.  Administer and ensure all required training occurs including orientation, safety, fire, food handling and preparation, and blood-borne pathogen.  Prepare and conduct associate performance and salary reviews in a timely manner and in accordance with Company guidelines.  Ensure staff compliance with internal controls, policies, procedures, standards and regulations.  Insist on a work environment that is free from harassment.  Promote the hotel as an employer of choice in the community.
• Sales/Profitability –Contribute to and recommend budget, capital expenditures, inventory controls, asset protection, sales and business plans, and short/long term planning.  Manage within approved plans and objectives.  If necessary, develop action steps to correct any expense problems.  In conjunction with Sales, sell and upsell hotel services to meet/exceed sales and financial objectives.  Manage menus, food inventory, preparation, cooking, storage and service method to capture more guests and a larger share of the local market.  Ensure food costs are within budgeted guidelines.  Recommend new and improved menus, food preparation and service methods to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality.  Review and monitor internal control procedures.  Report, investigate and resolve violations to policies, procedures and regulations.  Review vendors, products and bills to ensure procurement of top quality products at minimum prices.  Submit recommendations to senior management on internal controls, policies and procedures improvements.
• Life Safety/Risk Management –Assist the General Manager with hotel life safety including safe and sanitary food storage, preparation and handling.  Manage and promote an accident prevention program to minimize liabilities and related expenses.  Manage staff compliance with appropriate sanitary, safety, security and emergency policies, procedures, standards and regulations.  Ensure staff is proficient in and compliant with sanitary, safety, security and emergency procedures.  Notify senior management of any potential liability and propose proper course of action to prevent the hotel from incurring any such liability.  Recommend additional safeguards as appropriate.  Practice safe work habits.
• Asset Management -Walk the operations daily to identify issues and to speak with and listen to associates.  Ensure associates are properly trained in food storage, preparation and handling procedures and kitchen safety, sanitation and equipment usage.  Ensure adequate controls are installed and maintained for the protection of the hotel’s assets against loss or misappropriation.  Manage food inventories and spoilage.  Ensure cleanliness and preventative maintenance programs are in place to protect assets and maintenance problems are promptly reported to Engineering through proper channels.  Submit recommendations for changes and improvements to senior management.  Work collaboratively with the Corporate Office to ensure Company assets are accurately tracked.  Ensure associates are properly trained in the use and maintenance of Company assets.
• Leadership – Effectively and efficiently manage the staff, day-to-day operations and services.  Keep abreast of brand standards and the competition's products and strengths to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality.  Use business/management knowledge, applications in the industry, and experiences to provide leadership, both internally and externally, to assist senior management in positioning the hotel as a market leader.  Be a coach with a positive attitude on a daily basis.  Implement, manage and comply with Company policies, practices and programs.  Ensure compliance with brand standards and local, state and national regulations.  Ensure optimal levels of quality service and hospitality are provided to guests.  Maintain effective and useful business relationships with preferred hotel vendors, as appropriate. Regular and timely attendance with high standards of personal behavior, appearance and grooming including wearing the proper nametag when working.
• Communication – Ensure all communication containing Company, hotel, brand and guest information is consistent with privacy policies, practices and regulations.  Maintain a consistent professional and positive attitude when communicating with guests and associates.  Maintain effective two-way communications that crosses departmental lines.  Approach all encounters and actions with guests and associates in a friendly, service oriented manner.  Conduct regular meetings with staff to provide organizational information and educate associates on changes and activities. Communicate Kitchen activities and plans with peers and superiors to obtain appropriate consultation, guidance and approval.
• Administration – Compile and analyze various corporate reports and property reports to provide management with accurate information and to comply with corporate policies and procedures as well as government laws and regulations.  Complete all required and requested reporting in a timely and accurate manner.  Perform special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.  Participate in task forces and committees as requested.  As requested, assist with the preparation of the annual hotel budget and forecasts.

Requirements

Education and Experience: 

• High school education plus schooling in culinary arts or related major.  Three or more years of related experience.  Alcohol awareness certification and familiarity with hospitality industry practices preferred.  

Skills and Abilities:

Possess knowledge of food preparation and kitchen services, hospitality, business and basic accounting principles and practices.  Possess organizational skills that result in accurate, timely and thorough work.  Ability to effectively and efficiently manage daily operations and resolve operational problems.  Ability to appropriately interview, hire, schedule, motivate, train, monitor and address staff performance.

Ability to compile facts and figures and analyze information which involves data manipulation or interpretation to arrive at logical conclusions. Ability to anticipate and identify issues and exercise initiative to investigate, interpret and reach logical conclusions and make sound business decisions.

Possess strong listening, verbal and written communication skills with professionalism, diplomacy and confidentiality.  Display consistent professional leadership while simultaneously handling competing and changing priorities and projects.  Remain positive, resourceful and possess the ability to improvise while working in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure.

Knowledge of and ability to operate a computer, calculator, phone and other office equipment.  Must satisfy and comply with the legal requirements for employment within the jurisdiction. 

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Personal/Sick Days
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Free Parking
• Matching 401-K
• Employee Discounts