Executive Sous Chef

Role Overview

Executive Sous Chef | Rahway, NJ

This account is part of the SodexoMAGIC portfolio of business.

SodexoMagic is the joint venture partnership between NBA Hall of Famer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Sodexo. This strategic alliance enables us to deliver creative solutions to our clients along with our local partners throughout the communities we serve.

Sodexo is seeking an Executive Sous Chef who brings creativity, technical precision, and a passion for exceptional food to a high-profile corporate dining account. We’re looking for a culinary leader who thrives in the heart of the kitchen, ensuring that thoughtfully crafted, high-quality food is consistently at the center of the guest experience. This role is ideal for a professional who values hospitality and innovation, offering the opportunity to execute a modern corporate dining program that feels vibrant, relevant, and deeply connected to the community it serves.

As a key leader in our culinary operations, the Executive Sous Chef will assist in overseeing daily production for a premier corporate dining account. This individual will drive menu execution, elevate the guest experience through meticulous presentation, and foster a culture of creativity and sustainability within the brigade. With a strong focus on operational excellence and team development, the Executive Chef 2 will champion Sodexo’s standards, ensuring every dish reflects our commitment to exceptional dining as part of a Global Strategic Account.

What You'll Do

• Directs daily kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency across all dining platforms and stations.

• Supports the development and implementation of culinary trends and guest-focused menus, ensuring every dish aligns with Sodexo’s high standards for modern corporate dining.

• Trains and supervises the culinary team, fostering a high-performance culture rooted in creativity, accountability, and professional growth.

• Serves as the primary lead for food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance, maintaining a "gold standard" professional kitchen environment.

• Manages day-to-day food costs, inventory, and purchasing while overseeing production planning to ensure maximum operational efficiency and fiscal health.

• Collaborates across departments and with client stakeholders to ensure a seamless, high-touch hospitality experience that exceeds guest expectations.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

• Substantial experience as a Executive Sous Chef or culinary lead within a high-volume corporate dining, luxury hospitality, or premium catering environment.

• Advanced culinary skills with a dedicated passion for executing high-quality, thoughtfully prepared food with consistent precision.

• Demonstrated ability to lead daily kitchen brigades, foster a positive team culture, and support the professional growth and development of line staff.

• Comprehensive understanding of food safety, HACCP protocols, and industry-best operational practices to maintain a "Gold Standard" kitchen.

• Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience in managing food costs, waste reduction, inventory control, and daily purchasing.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to partner effectively with the Executive Chef, front-of-house teams, and client stakeholders to ensure a seamless guest experience.

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 2 years Minimum Functional Experience – 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.