Sous Chef (Early Careers)

Job Description

Title: Sous Chef (Early Careers)

Requisition #: 688183

Location: Charlotte, NC, US

Career Area: Early Careers

Information at a Glance

Job Description

The Culinary Acceleration Program (CAP) is a key entry-level leadership role within Aramarks Management Accelerator Program. This structured, cohort-based pathway is designed to develop the next generation of culinary and food service operations leaders. It is intended for recent graduates who are ready to lead people and manage culinary operations from day one.

CAP participants are placed at client sites across the United States, focusing on Food & Hospitality services. The role combines hands-on culinary and operational responsibility with structured leadership development, mentorship, and cohort-based learning. Participants are expected to demonstrate strong leadership potential and a commitment to growth within Aramarks field operations organization.

CAP develops capable, experienced culinary leaders prepared to grow into Executive Chef, multi-unit, and regional operations roles.

This role will support our Workplace Experience Group, a team dedicated to creating exceptional hospitality-driven environments and elevated culinary experiences for our clients and guests.

Job Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Lead and supervise frontline culinary and food service team members on assigned shifts, including scheduling, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Foster an inclusive, safety-first work environment aligned with Aramarks values and culture.
• Partner with leadership to recruit, onboard, train, and retain hourly employees.
• Act as a visible, engaged leader in the kitchen and on the floor during service periods.

Culinary and Operations Management

• Assist in the day-to-day culinary operations of an assigned unit or client site, ensuring food quality, presentation, food safety, sanitation, compliance, and efficiency standards are consistently met.
• Learn and apply Aramark culinary and operating standards, menu and recipe execution, and client contractual requirements.
• Support inventory management, ordering, receiving, cost controls, and vendor coordination under the direction of the Executive Chef, General Manager, or District Manager.
• Contribute to financial performance goals including labor management, food cost, and client satisfaction metrics.
• Support the execution of special events, catering, promotions, menu changes, or service changes as directed.

Professional Development

• Actively participate in all program development programming, including virtual learning modules.
• Complete milestone check-ins and development reviews.
• Build relationships within your CAP cohort and broader Aramark network as a foundation for long-term career growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree completed prior to program start required. Preferred areas of study include Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Service Management, Business, Operations Management, or related fields. Candidates with an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and relevant culinary or hospitality experience are also encouraged to apply. All degree requirements, including any final internship requirements, must be completed before the start date.
• Graduating between December and August of the current school year.
• Demonstrated leadership experience through internships, campus involvement, or prior work experience.
• Strong verbal, written, and professional communication skills.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by operations.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorization sponsorship by Aramark for this position, now or in the future.

Education

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what youre pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.