Pastry Sous Chef

Pastry Sous Chef

Union Square Events is seeking a Pastry Sous Chef to join our Commissary team and help lead high-volume pastry production that supports exceptional culinary experiences across our business. This role combines hands-on pastry production with team leadership, operational excellence, and administrative responsibilities. As a key member of the culinary leadership team, you will work closely with the Executive Chef and culinary managers to support daily operations, coach and develop team members, maintain quality standards, and contribute to a positive, inclusive kitchen culture. If you enjoy mentoring others, creating high-quality products at scale, and finding innovative ways to improve operations, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Partner with the Executive Chef and culinary leadership team to oversee daily pastry production in a high-volume commissary environment.
• Actively participate in production while ensuring consistency, quality, and presentation standards are met.
• Help coordinate labor and workflow to support efficiency and operational goals.
• Support the execution of catering and special event production.
• Contribute ideas for new menu offerings, seasonal items, and culinary programs.
• Lead, coach, and support a team of pastry professionals and hourly associates.
• Foster an environment where team members feel respected, included, and empowered to grow.
• Assist with training, scheduling, performance coaching, and daily communication.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support food cost management, waste reduction initiatives, and inventory controls.
• Assist with purchasing, product ordering, and maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Monitor production processes to help ensure labor and food costs remain aligned with operational objectives.
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in high-volume pastry production or bakery operations.
• Experience leading or supervising culinary teams, including teams of up to 20 associates.
• Ability to balance hands-on production responsibilities with people leadership and administrative tasks.
• Knowledge of food cost management, waste reduction, inventory control, and purchasing practices.
• Experience supporting catering operations or large-scale event production is a plus.
• Familiarity with batch production and commissary kitchen environments is helpful.
• Culinary degree, Associate degree, or equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Understanding of pastry techniques, quality standards, and production planning.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Comfort using Microsoft Office applications, Outlook, email, and internet-based systems.
• Commitment to food safety and sanitation best practices.
• ServSafe Certification is preferred.
• Open availability to support business needs.

Union Square Events is a member of Compass Group USA. 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.

Associates at Union Square Events are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, holiday time off, personal leave, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, and flexible spending accounts.