Catering Executive Sous Chef

Catering 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 a Catering Executive Sous Chef who brings creativity, logistical precision, and a passion for elite hospitality to a high-profile corporate dining account. We’re looking for a culinary leader who excels in the dynamic world of event-based dining, ensuring that every catered experience—from intimate executive board meetings to large-scale corporate events—is executed with high-quality food and meticulous attention to detail. This role is ideal for a professional who thrives on variety and innovation, offering the opportunity to execute a sophisticated catering program that is vibrant, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into the client's corporate culture.

As a strategic leader within our catering operations, the Catering Executive Sous Chef will oversee the end-to-end culinary execution of all on-site and off-site events for a premier account. This individual will drive menu customization, elevate the guest experience through artistic presentation, and manage the complex logistics of event-based production within the brigade. With a dedicated focus on operational excellence, food safety, and premium service standards, the Catering Executive Sous Chef will ensure that every event reflects Sodexo’s commitment to world-class hospitality as part of a Global Strategic Account.

• Leads the end-to-end culinary execution for all catered events, ensuring that food quality, artistic presentation, and service timing are perfectly synchronized from intimate board meetings to large-scale town halls.

• Drives the development of bespoke catering menus that reflect modern culinary trends and specific client preferences, ensuring every event feels unique and high-touch.

• Mentors and supervises the catering culinary team, focusing on the specialized skills required for high-volume event production, plating precision, and professional service standards.

• Acts as the primary lead for food safety and sanitation during event transport and service, maintaining rigorous HACCP and regulatory standards in diverse environments.

• Manages event-specific food costs, inventory, and purchasing while overseeing meticulous production planning to minimize waste and maximize financial efficiency.

• Partners closely with event planners, sales teams, and executive stakeholders to translate their vision into a seamless, hospitality-driven dining experience.

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.

• Demonstrates substantial experience as a Sous Chef or culinary lead within high-volume corporate dining, luxury hospitality, or premium catering environments.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum 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.