Executive Sous Chef – High-Volume Italian Restaurant

Location: Needham, MA

Salary: $90,000 Annually

Performance Bonus: Up to 15%

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Executive Sous Chef to join a well-established, high-volume, full-service Italian restaurant. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate culinary professional with strong leadership skills, a background in scratch cooking, and a proven ability to manage busy kitchen operations.

Our restaurant is known for fresh ingredients, authentic Italian-inspired cuisine, made-to-order pastas, thin-crust pizzas, and a commitment to exceptional food quality and hospitality.

The Executive Sous Chef will work closely with the Executive Chef to oversee daily kitchen operations, lead and develop the back-of-house team, and ensure consistency, efficiency, and excellence throughout every service.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing all daily kitchen operations in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
• Lead, supervise, train, and develop back-of-house employees, including cooks, prep staff, and kitchen supervisors.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and execution during high-volume service.
• Oversee daily food preparation, production schedules, and mise en place to ensure readiness for service.
• Coordinate kitchen operations for regular dining service, private dining, and special events.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, inventory, purchasing, and proper product storage.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and kitchen organization.
• Assist with BOH scheduling, labor management, and operational efficiency.
• Foster a positive, professional, team-oriented kitchen culture.
• Work collaboratively with front-of-house management to deliver an outstanding guest experience.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High-Volume Restaurant Experience: Proven experience working in busy, high-volume, full-service restaurant environments is required.
• BOH Leadership: Demonstrated success directly leading, managing, training, and developing back-of-house teams. Strong people leadership and the ability to motivate and hold employees accountable are essential.
• Management Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience as an Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or in a comparable culinary leadership position within a full-service restaurant.
• Employment Stability: A consistent and stable employment history is strongly preferred. Candidates with repeated short-term positions must be able to provide clear, detailed explanations for their employment transitions.
• Scratch Kitchen Experience: Strong culinary skills with experience preparing fresh, made-from-scratch cuisine. Italian culinary experience is a plus.
• Operational Knowledge: Experience managing kitchen production, inventory, purchasing, food costs, labor, and quality standards.
• Leadership & Communication: Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Education: Culinary Arts degree preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Availability: Must have a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods and lift or move 25–50 pounds.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive Compensation Package:

• Base Salary: $90,000 annually
• Performance Bonus: Up to 15%
• Quarterly Dining Allowance: $300
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Telemedicine access

Financial Benefits:

• Generous 401(k) company match
• Company-paid long-term disability insurance
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Employee ownership opportunities

Additional Perks:

• 35% employee dining discount on food and beverages
• Employee discount programs
• Wholesale club reimbursement program
• Employee tenure recognition program
• Employee referral bonus program
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement

Why Join Our Team?

This is an opportunity to join a respected restaurant organization that values culinary excellence, teamwork, employee development, and long-term career growth.

We are looking for a strong, hands-on culinary leader who thrives in high-volume environments, takes pride in developing people, and is committed to delivering consistently outstanding food and service.

If you are an experienced Executive Sous Chef with proven high-volume restaurant experience, strong BOH leadership skills, and a stable professional background, we encourage you to apply.