Sous Chef

Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager

Salary Range: $72,400 - $90,000 annually

Santa Rosa Entertainment Company LLC is seeking an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager to help lead Red Eye Barbecue food operations.

The Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager is responsible for supporting the Executive Chef in managing the day-to-day kitchen operation, including kitchen staff supervision, line execution, prep systems, food quality, food safety, inventory controls, kitchen labor management, training, scheduling, production planning, and operational readiness for high-volume periods.

This is not intended to be a production-only cook position. The Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager is expected to function as a salaried kitchen leader with real management authority, regular supervision of kitchen employees, responsibility for assigning and directing work, meaningful input into employment decisions, and accountability for operational and financial performance.

The successful candidate must be able to lead people, manage systems, maintain standards, solve problems, and support Red Eye Barbecue's goal of delivering excellent food while improving total food gross margin dollars.

This position is intended to be classified as an exempt salaried management position. The primary duty of the Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager is to help manage the kitchen operation of Red Eye Barbecue, including supervising employees, directing daily work, maintaining production systems, enforcing food quality and food safety standards, managing prep and line execution, supporting labor and inventory controls, and exercising independent judgment on matters of operational significance.

The Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager exists to ensure that Red Eye Barbecue's kitchen operates with consistency, urgency, cleanliness, accountability, and financial discipline. This role supports the Executive Chef by managing daily kitchen execution, developing kitchen employees, maintaining standards, and ensuring the kitchen is prepared for restaurant service, takeout, private events, tournaments, sports-viewing crowds, catering, and special promotions.

Key Responsibilities

• Kitchen Leadership and Daily Operations Management
• Supervision and Team Management
• Line Execution and Service Leadership
• Prep, Production and Recipe Systems
• Food Quality and Red Eye Barbecue Brand Standards
• Inventory, Purchasing Support and COGS Control
• Kitchen Labor Management
• Food Safety, Sanitation and Compliance
• Operational Decision-Making and Independent Judgment
• Event, Catering and High-Volume Support
• Equipment, Maintenance and Safety

Work Schedule

This is a full-time salaried leadership position. The schedule will vary based on business needs and may include early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, sports-viewing events, tournaments, catering orders, private events, and other high-volume periods.

The Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager is expected to be present during key business periods and to ensure the kitchen is properly prepared, staffed, supervised, and executed.

Work Environment

This job operates in a building-wide capacity. This role routinely uses electrical equipment, sharp knives, and other potentially dangerous equipment. Proper training will be given prior to using any dangerous equipment. Employees in this role are frequently exposed to hot water, potentially slippery floors, and cleaning chemicals.

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to work in a commercial kitchen and outdoor smoker environment. The Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager must be able to stand for extended periods, lift and carry food products and supplies, work around heat, smoke, fire, hot equipment, sharp tools, cold storage, wet floors, and cleaning chemicals, and perform hands-on kitchen and BBQ production tasks as needed.

The position may require standing, lifting (and moving objects up to 50 pounds), crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, carrying, trimming, moving food products, loading smokers, unloading smokers, cleaning equipment, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Reasonable Accommodation

The essential duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and physical demands described in this Job Description are representative of those that must be met by a Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions so long as the accommodation does not cause undue hardship on Santa Rosa Entertainment, LLC.

Required Qualifications

• Be a team player. Look for opportunities to help other team members.
• Work hard to maintain and promote a positive work environment.
• Available to work all shifts: days, nights, weekends and holidays, as necessary.
• Have the ability to work in a noisy, fast-paced environment with many distractions.
• Have the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Have the ability to move around the facility and walk or stand 100% of the shift.
• Have the ability to reach, bend, stoop, mop, sweep and clean frequently.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in varied kitchen positions including food preparation, line cook, fry cook and expediter.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Possess strong organizational and decision-making skills.
• Work well in fast-paced setting.
• At least 6 months experience in a similar capacity.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time.
• Must have exceptional hygiene and grooming habits.
• Must have or obtain Food Manager Certification.
• Must have or obtain Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification.
• Must be 21 years of age or above.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a commercial kitchen.
• Bilingual a plus.

Other Duties

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer