Sous Chef

About Us

Dear Mama is a love letter to the women and communities who raised us, and to the spirit of care that holds people together. The cafe and our approach to hospitality is inspired by the generations of women who have collectively shaped us, and the larger village that raised us as native New Yorkers in multigenerational neighborhoods with extended family, neighbors, and chosen kin who taught us what it means to show up, feed people, and lead with love. 

We are seeking a Sous Chef to lead and strengthen our back-of-house operations, build systems that support growth, and partner closely with ownership to evolve our menu, team, and overall kitchen performance. This role is for a hands-on operator and strategic thinker capable of translating a P&L into consistent execution on the floor, with demonstrated experience executing catering and events programs and developing dynamic menus. 

Job Details

Dear Mama NYC is an all-day cafe located on Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus, operating from a glass-walled atrium with an open kitchen. We are in search of a Sous Chef who will take a leadership role in kitchen operations, build structure and consistency across all dayparts, and help lead the business into its next phase of growth. You will work directly with the Owner and Beverage & Service Director to refine systems, develop menus, and support catering and events execution. 

Reporting Structure & Authority

This role reports directly to the Owner and works in close partnership with the Beverage & Service Director. You will have significant responsibility for day-to-day kitchen operations and team leadership, while collaborating with ownership on financial decisions, menu development, and long-term strategy.

What You’ll Lead

• Day-to-day kitchen operations and service execution
• Training and development of the back-of-house team
• Food quality, consistency, and speed of service
• Inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships
• Food cost and labor performance against targets
• Systems and processes that support consistency and scale 

What You’ll Do 

Scope: This is a hands-on Sous Chef role focused on culinary operations and team leadership. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs. 

Hospitality, Service and Operations

• Embody and reinforce Dear Mama’s culture and hospitality standards
• Lead service from the kitchen, ensuring consistency, cleanliness, and execution
• Build and manage BOH schedules aligned with sales projections
• Develop and maintain prep systems that support efficient daily operations
• Participate in weekly strategy meetings to improve systems and performance
• Partner with the Events Manager to develop menus and lead BOH planning, staffing, preparation, and execution for catering and on-site/off-site events

Inventory & Cost Control 

• Manage all inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships
• Maintain accurate pars and conduct regular stocktakes
• Control food and labor costs to meet or outperform budget targets
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve margins

Food Safety & Quality 

• Enforce all DOH standards and internal food safety protocols
• Maintain an A grade as a non-negotiable standard
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and sanitation across all operations

Team Leadership & Management

• Participate in hiring and lead the training, scheduling, and development of back-of-house staff
• Create a culture of accountability, consistency, and growth
• Partner with front-of-house leadership to ensure a seamless guest experience

• Collaborate on menu development and lead costing, training, and execution to ensure a consistent and high-quality guest experience
• Contribute to a culture grounded in the following: 
• hospitality is a craft, not a script 
• food can be clean and indulgent at the same time 
• consistency creates trust, and trust creates scale 
• joy is essential, not extra 

Who You Are

• You lead by example, setting the tone for a small but high-performing team
• You build environments that encourage curiosity, accountability, and growth
• You are systems-minded and understand how execution drives business performance
• You communicate clearly and create strong alignment between front and back of house
• You are excited to help build a kitchen that can scale across multiple locations without losing its identity

How Success Is Measured 

• Consistent achievement of weekly labor and COGS targets
• Clean NYC Department of Health inspections with no critical violations
• Accurate and timely scheduling and payroll preparation
• Reduced back-of-house turnover
• Improved kitchen systems that increase efficiency, consistency, and team retention
• Consistent execution of prep systems that support service without disruption
• Growth in catering and events revenue through well-costed, executable menus that meet margin targets

Your Skills

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team 
• Operational Efficiency: Ability to work under pressure, prioritize effectively, and solve problems calmly 
• Data-driven: Fluent with numbers and able to translate financial performance into operational improvements
• Creativity & Problem Solving: A creative mind for menu design and recipe development
• Compliance: Thorough understanding of NYC food safety standards and regulations 
• Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively coordinate with staff and other departments 
• Attention to Detail: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Your Expertise & Background 

• 3–5 years of progressive kitchen experience, including experience in a leadership role within a high-volume environment
• 2+ years of experience developing, costing, and executing catering and events menus, including high-volume or off-site service
• Experience developing and executing catering, events, or high-volume special menus
• DOH Food Handlers Certification
• A doer and a teacher, equally comfortable in service and leading training 
• Experience managing P&L, labor, purchasing, vendors, and quality control with a track record of improving financial performance
• Collaborative, with strong communication and organizational skills 
• Passionate about quality food and sustainable business practices 
• Motivated to take ownership and contribute meaningfully to a growing business
• This role requires the ability to move, pull, push, carry, or lift up to 30 pounds and to meet the physical demands of an 8-hour shift in a restaurant environment. These are essential job functions.

Compensation Details 

• Annual starting salary range $67,000 - $80,000 based on experience
• Opportunity for discretionary, performance-based bonus or long-term incentive participation, subject to business performance and written agreement.
• This position is intended to be an exempt, salaried management role under applicable federal, New York State, and New York City wage and hour laws. Final classification will be confirmed at time of offer.
• This role is designed to grow with the business and may evolve into broader leadership opportunities as Dear Mama expands

Benefits and Perks

• 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) granted after six months of employment in good standing, to be used in accordance with company policy
• Roth IRA retirement savings program through New York Secure Choice, administered by Vestwell
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Light-filled, open dining room work environment 
• Reliable 40–50 hour work week - this position is scheduled for evenings and weekends 
• Daily manager meal
• Five (5) paid sick days in compliance with NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time requirements

How To Apply