Exec Sous Chef | Greater Chicago | #ZJMO 3649761

Executive Sous Chef | Fine Dining | North Suburbs

We're seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join the culinary leadership team of a high-volume, fine dining restaurant in the North Suburbs.

This is an excellent opportunity for a polished, hands-on culinary leader who thrives in a sophisticated, fast-paced environment. We're looking for someone who understands the expectations of fine dining, takes tremendous pride in food quality and execution, and knows how to develop a talented culinary team while maintaining strong operational and financial discipline.

What You'll Do

Lead Culinary Operations

• Partner closely with the Executive Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead from the front during high-volume services, ensuring the kitchen is organized, prepared, and executing at a consistently high level.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, flavor, presentation, recipe execution, and portioning.
• Support menu development, seasonal features, private dining, and special events.
• Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure seamless communication and service execution.

Build & Develop the Team

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop sous chefs, cooks, and other culinary team members.
• Establish clear expectations and create a professional, positive, and accountable kitchen culture.
• Identify high-potential employees and create opportunities for cross-training and advancement.
• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback while holding the team accountable to culinary and operational standards.
• Lead by example and maintain composure during demanding services.

Manage Costs & Performance

• Assist with food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and overall kitchen profitability.
• Monitor product usage, portioning, and waste while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Utilize Restaurant365 and other restaurant systems for inventory, purchasing, cost tracking, and reporting.
• Analyze kitchen performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Partner with senior leadership on forecasting, budgeting, and operational planning.

Maintain Exceptional Standards

• Ensure consistency in preparation, execution, plating, and presentation.
• Maintain exceptional kitchen organization, cleanliness, sanitation, and food-safety practices.
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, labeling, rotation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain equipment and proactively identify repair and maintenance needs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety requirements.

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of Executive Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef, or comparable culinary leadership experience
• Fine dining or high-end upscale restaurant experience strongly preferred
• Experience operating within a high-volume culinary environment
• Strong culinary foundation with excellent attention to technique, quality, consistency, and presentation
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop sizable culinary teams
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, and waste
• Experience with Restaurant365 or comparable restaurant management systems preferred
• Food Safety Manager Certification
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to remain composed and make strong decisions during high-volume services
• New restaurant opening experience is a plus
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

The Ideal Leader

You're a chef who understands that a successful kitchen requires more than great food. You know how to develop people, control costs, create systems, and maintain exceptionally high standards while keeping the team focused and motivated.

You're comfortable being hands-on during service, you hold yourself and others accountable, and you take pride in creating a kitchen culture where talented culinary professionals can grow.

If you're an experienced culinary leader looking to take the next step within a high-volume fine dining environment, we'd love to connect.