Senior Sous Chef

Sous Chef — Job Description

Department: Dining Services
Reports To: Food Service Director
Classification: Full-Time
Location: The Greens at Cannondale

Position Summary
The Sous Chef is a hands-on kitchen leader responsible for supporting the Food Service Director in the daily operation of the kitchen and ensuring consistent, high-quality meals for residents. The Sous Chef provides leadership to kitchen staff, maintains food quality and presentation standards, supports efficient staffing and production, and ensures compliance with sanitation and food-safety requirements.

The Sous Chef is expected to lead by example and actively participate in food preparation and service while maintaining accountability throughout the kitchen.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Food Production & Quality

• Prepare and supervise the preparation of meals according to established menus, recipes, portions, and presentation standards.
• Ensure food is prepared correctly, served at the proper temperature, and ready according to established meal-service times.
• Monitor taste, quality, consistency, portion size, and presentation before food leaves the kitchen.
• Ensure resident dietary needs, allergies, texture modifications, and special diets are followed accurately.
• Minimize food waste through proper production planning, portion control, storage, and utilization of ingredients.

Kitchen Leadership

• Provide day-to-day direction and supervision to cooks, prep staff, utility staff, and other assigned dining employees.
• Assign responsibilities at the beginning of each shift and ensure all assigned duties are completed.
• Maintain an organized, productive kitchen environment.
• Coach employees regarding performance, sanitation, teamwork, attendance, and adherence to established procedures.
• Immediately communicate significant staffing or performance concerns to the Food Service Director.
• Assume kitchen leadership responsibilities in the Food Service Director's absence as assigned.

Inventory & Stock

• Assist with receiving and inspecting food and supply deliveries.
• Ensure deliveries are promptly and properly stored.
• Maintain organized walk-in refrigerators, freezers, dry storage, and kitchen storage areas.
• Ensure all products are properly labeled, dated, rotated, and stored using FIFO procedures.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate ordering needs to the Food Service Director.
• Assist with controlling food costs, waste, overproduction, and unnecessary purchasing.

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Maintain kitchen operations in accordance with applicable health department requirements and community policies.
• Ensure proper food temperatures are maintained and documented.
• Ensure refrigerators, freezers, cooking equipment, work areas, and storage areas are clean and properly maintained.
• Ensure staff follow handwashing, glove use, cross-contamination prevention, and safe food-handling procedures.
• Immediately address unsafe conditions or sanitation concerns.

Service & Special Events

• Coordinate with front-of-house staff to ensure meals are ready and service runs efficiently.
• Prepare and fulfill catering requests, special events, resident functions, and community events as assigned.
• Ensure appropriate food and snacks are prepared for scheduled community programs, including daily Happy Hour as assigned.
• Respond professionally and promptly to resident requests and concerns.

Operational Expectations

• Maintain appropriate production levels based on census and anticipated meal counts.
• Support efficient scheduling and appropriate use of labor.
• Ensure opening, closing, cleaning, prep, and production responsibilities are completed each shift.
• Communicate equipment problems and maintenance needs promptly.
• Participate in department meetings, training, and quality-improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Dining Services and other departments to provide an excellent resident experience.
• Perform other duties reasonably assigned by the Food Service Director or Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Culinary training or equivalent professional kitchen experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory or lead kitchen experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or high-volume food service preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, production planning, and inventory control.
• ServSafe certification preferred or required within the timeframe established by the community.
• Ability to effectively supervise and communicate with kitchen and dining staff.
• Ability to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the operation.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Consistent food quality and presentation
• Resident satisfaction
• Meals being ready and served on time
• Proper sanitation and food-safety compliance
• Organized and properly rotated inventory
• Reduced food waste and effective cost control
• Appropriate kitchen productivity and labor utilization
• Completion of assigned catering and special-event responsibilities
• Staff accountability, teamwork, and professionalism
• Effective communication with the Food Service Director and front-of-house leadership

At The Greens at Cannondale, you'll find more than a job—you'll find a team that truly cares. Our mission is to create a warm, engaging community where residents thrive, and that starts with supporting the people who care for them every day.

As a member of our team, you'll enjoy:

A welcoming, respectful workplace where your contributions are valued.
Meaningful relationships with residents, families, and coworkers.
Opportunities for professional growth, training, and career advancement.
Leadership that listens, supports, and recognizes great work.
Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees.
A commitment to teamwork, innovation, and creating an exceptional resident experience.
We're proud to be a Great Place To Work® CertifiedTM community, based on feedback from our own employees. That recognition reflects the culture we've built together—one where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

Whether you're just beginning your career or bringing years of experience, if you're passionate about serving older adults and want to be part of a team that values compassion, excellence, and connection, we'd love to meet you.

Come grow your career where your work truly matters. Join The Greens at Cannondale.