Sous Chef (Port Elizabeth) at Sun International

Job Purpose:

• Manages the day to day delivery of the food production operation and culinary team within a specific outlet with the objectives of delivering quality culinary products, maximizing revenue through controlling operational efficiencies and productivities, operating equipment, and stock, in line with Company standards.
• Requirements

Education:

• 3-Year Culinary Diploma or equivalent National Culinary Qualification at a Diploma level
• Membership with South African Chef’s Association and other relevant culinary accreditation

Experience

• 5-6 years experience and track record in a similarly graded hotel / restaurant kitchen environment of which at least 2 years experience must have been as a chef de partie 

Work conditions and special requirements

• Ability to work shifts that meet operational requirements

Core behavioural Competencies:

• Decision-making – use of initiative
• Learning – training; coaching; staying abreast of industry developments
• Implementing and co-ordinating – organising people; non-people resources
• Numeracy and calculation skills
• Analysing and diagnosing – numerical information; trends in data
• Problem-solving
• Making fine judgements through the senses viz colour, taste, texture

Technical/Proficiency competencies:

• Food Costing
• Culinary Product Knowledge
• Kitchen Operational Management
• Labour legislation
• Environmental and sustainability standards
• Proficient Computer skills
• Coaching
• Menu engineering
• Cooking methodology 

Key Performance Areas:

Delivered Culinary Business Plan for the Outlet:

• In collaboration with the Executive Sous Chef, develop outlet objectives and deliverables in line with the Culinary strategy
• Facilitate the communication and implementation of Culinary deliverables for the outlet
• Provide clear delegation of authority and accountability for deliverables 
• Manage and allocate people and operational resources  
• Communicate plans relative to promotions and strategies to relevant staff and stakeholders within the unit
• Align plans with EE, SD and procurement transformation strategies which contribute towards BBBEE targets being achieved for the property

Shift management:

• Put in place staff scheduling and duty allocations to ensure coverage
• Handle shift briefings / handovers / shift reports 
• Manage the preparation of mise-en-place 
• Complete opening and closing checklists
• Interact and be present on the floor during service to ensure food quality and presentation in line with standards 
• Handle any special requests, special requirements, recommendations, concerns, resolution of complaints, issues experienced during service etc.
• Manage staff appearance and kitchen appearance/ functioning of equipment and systems for the outlet 
• Report and resolve any issues experienced
• Monitor the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen before, during and after service

Outlet Product Enhancement:

• Keep up to date with regards food products, trends and cooking methodologies required to deliver menus
• Monitor products and pricing within the outlet
• Make recommendations of improvements to the product / menu offering 
• Compile and co-ordinate the culinary promotional calendar for the outlet
• Monitor standards in the outlet and identify any areas of concern

Culinary Standards & Governance:

• Conduct maintenance and hygiene inspections in all areas of the kitchen
• Monitor health, safety, hygiene and environmental elements in the outlet
• Manage the control and storage of stock, operating expenses (gas) and operating supplies (packaging, chemicals), equipment as per SOP for the outlet
• Investigate variances / discrepancies and take necessary action to correct
• Monitor Culinary standards and processes 
• Control waste for the outlet 
• Work with internal stakeholders (maintenance, finance, HR, and security) to identify risk areas and address these 

Outlet Budget Management:

• Collaborate with the Executive Sous Chef to complete the planning for the Budget and forecasts for the outlet 
• Motivate and manage Capex requirements for the outlet
• Authorise spend in line with budget
• Monitor food costs (purchases related to revenue)
• Food recipe – All menu item food recipes to be documented, updated and captured into the system MC or IFS to ensure accurate food theoretical.
• Manage the conducting of accurate stock takes for the outlet in line with Company process. Report on any variances for the outlet
• Produce a 10-day / 20-day and monthly food cost report
• Monitor departmental leave liability
• Check and report on all outlet staff wages / spend are in line with budget as a % of revenue; maintain productivity ratios of performance for line staff
• Procurement – All supplier prices and supplier price quotes to be reviewed and monitored on a monthly basis going forward to ensure we monitor and track price movements to minimize input cost fluctuations.
• Contribute to month-end financial commentary for the outlet

People Management:

• Manage staff conditions of employment, e.g. attendance, absenteeism, leave, adherence to policies and procedures 
• Identification of employee training needs 
• Perform on the job training and coaching to close developmental gaps and build succession for a talent pipeline within the outlet
• Manage employee relations within the department
• Staff communication and motivation
• Performance contracting, reviews and development
• Provides resources and removes obstacles  to performance 
• Recruit and resource for talent for positions within the department          
• Onboarding of new staff members

Customer Relationship Management:

• Ensures that guests are treated with courtesy and respect at all times 
• Interact with guests and provide professional service standards and solutions
• Handle any escalated complaints, disputes and suggestions as required
• Engage with customers and provide a customer experience within the outlet / on the floor that will support brand loyalty ensuring SI as the brand of choice 
• Be present on the floor during service / promotions or functions
• Conduct staff training on product knowledge / promotions (including promotion information, functions, facilities, etc)
• Provide post-mortem feedback with regards promotions to ensure these are always relevant and effective
• Shift handover ensures that staff have sufficient insights and information with regards VIP customers visiting the property