Sous Chef University Portland

Sous Chef University Portland

Salary: 62,000-72,000

Our passion is food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

As a Sous Chef I, you are responsible for assisting with the overall success of the food program and overseeing culinary operations. This position supports all phases of planning, ordering, inventory management, and food preparation while ensuring alignment with the client's culture and expectations.

You will ensure compliance with all applicable Health Department regulations and company standards related to food quality, freshness, safety, and presentation.

The Sous Chef I plays a key leadership role by motivating, training, developing, and directing back-of-house associates to deliver a high-quality dining experience and meet operational objectives for customers, clients, and management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating and actively participating in the preparation and cooking of a variety of food items
• Support menu planning and development, including daily offerings and weekly specials (bowls, sandwiches, burgers, and salads)
• Execute and support new culinary programs in collaboration with marketing and culinary teams
• Properly forecast, manage ordering, and maintain accurate inventory levels
• Assist in managing food and labor costs, including waste reduction and pricing menu items to meet food cost targets
• Plan and execute catering events with minimal supervision
• Ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, and food handling standards at all times
• Manage and maintain all required logs, including production, sanitation, cleaning, deep cleaning, temperature, cooling, receiving, and cooking logs
• Conduct daily line checks and food tastings; adjust seasoning, quality, and presentation as needed
• Supervise kitchen staff to ensure team members are on task, working safely, and maintaining productivity standards
• Assist with scheduling and daily kitchen operations to ensure proper staffing levels
• Maintain and distribute production sheets and ensure adherence to recipes and portioning standards
• Conduct daily safety meetings and reinforce safe work practices
• Train new team members on proper sanitation, safety procedures, and kitchen operations
• Coach and develop staff on culinary techniques, skill development, and performance improvement
• Review and sign off on logs to ensure tasks and sanitation standards are completed accurately
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of related culinary experience, including at least 1 year in a supervisory or management role
• Experience in high-volume environments such as restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, education, healthcare, or similar food service operations
• Strong knowledge of current food trends, quality standards, production, sanitation, safety, and cost control practices
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, and develop team members
• Experience with inventory management, ordering, and food cost analysis
• Ability to accurately price menu items to achieve targeted food cost percentages
• Strong organizational and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment
• ServSafe or Department of Health certification preferred
• Basic computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Associate's degree in Culinary Arts or related field preferred

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1544262

Bon Appetit

BRYAN GONI