Sous Chef, Community Meals & Food Services

Full Time • Kitchen

The Sous Chef, Community Meals & Food Services, is responsible for providing supportive leadership for Bissell Centre’s food services operations. The Sous Chef will focus on key areas of the business including but not limited to meal preparation and service, food and supply storage, kitchen operations, donor relations and employee engagement. This position has additional administrative functions such as the recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff and providing the critical leadership needed to meet Bissell Centre’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Under the supervision of the Head Chef, the expectation of this position is to support the expansion, development and growth of the Food Services enterprise while directly supporting the movement towards further financial stability. This position requires someone who can effectively communicate and foster strong and lasting relationships with our community participants, staff and volunteers, donors, and customers, while supporting the development of action plans and seeing them through.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ambassadorship

• Model the values of Bissell Centre and communicate these principles in a clear and compelling fashion both internally and externally. Translate agency values into Food Services culture and everyday activities to foster a welcoming and engaging working environment.
• Mission focused and driven to provide services and food security for our community participants.
• In partnership with the Head Chef, collaborate with external donors, partners and neighboring businesses, committees and associations and assist with local events to ensure successful execution.
• In partnership with the Head Chef, brainstorm, design and execute well thought out food services strategies to improve the functionality of kitchen operations and enhance overall employee engagement and customer experience.

Kitchen Operations, Customer Service and Maintenance

• Create a positive working environment that fosters open and continuous communication and information sharing among all staff and volunteers.
• Identify business opportunities through communication with stakeholders and partner with the Head Chef on a strategic direction to create and implement ideas.
• Provide healthy and diverse meals and snacks in accordance with Health Canada’s Food Guide.
• Menu plan within a limited budget and using the food stuffs obtained through donations and the Edmonton Food Bank.
• Maintain the kitchen service area using a best practices model to ensure that all food safety regulations and standards are met.
• Ensure that all donated food stuffs are labelled and dated accurately and systematically.
• Support the development and adherence to daily and weekly cleaning checklists.
• Ensure the walk-in refrigerator, walk-in freezer, chest freezers and fridges are clean and organized daily.
• Demonstrate strong conflict resolution skills, such as de-escalating service complaints and providing solutions to maintain relationships. This includes follow up with customers and staff to ensure needs and/or concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
• Support the Head Chef in the operation of all meal contract sites.
• Communicate information in a timely and effective matter pertaining to all aspects of operational activity to ensure the Head Chef is well informed of developments within Food Services. This includes activity that would directly impact agency brand and reputation.
• Show empathy and the ability to communicate with and support individuals experiencing mental health, addictions, chronic illness, houselessness, poverty, and related challenges. Able to respond appropriately to intense situations, provide conflict resolution and work directly with individuals with barriers.

Supervision

• Manage meal preparation activities and maintain required staffing levels in all areas of the kitchen. Ensure a high standard of service is always provided.
• Prioritize 90% of time involved in meal preparation, coaching, team development, and operational support while using the remaining 10% of time to complete administrative tasks.
• Support the Head Chef with succession planning for staff, collaborative leadership and employee retention and engagement.
• Provide leadership to staff and volunteers on delivering exceptional customer service to community participants, donors, and customers.
• Support the Head Chef with staff probationary and annual reviews with regular performance check-ins to assess progress on succession planning and performance improvement plans.
• Perform additional supervisory functions as designated in the absence of the Head Chef.

Fiscal Management

• Ability to meet or exceed revenue targets as set out by the agency.
• To maintain expenditures within the operating budget under the guidance of the Head Chef.
• Review, monitor and act accordingly with financial scorecard and monthly P&L reports.

General and Administrative

• Implement agency policies and procedures, including reporting of staff concerns, safety issues and critical incidents.
• Support the Head Chef to organize and complete annual evaluations for employees.
• Schedule and oversee attendance of staff for day-to-day operations of the kitchen, training, and meetings.
• Provide financial and operational reporting as required by the agency.
• To collaborate on job descriptions, annual planning calendars, operating policies and procedures as required.
• Attend scheduled staff and management meetings, training sessions and performance check-ins.
• Hold routine morning team rallies with kitchen staff prior to operating business hours.
• Adhere to all Health and Safety and Loss Prevention policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of staff, customers, and community participants.
• Perform other duties as required that may not be listed in the formal job description or as assigned by the Head Chef.

Qualifications & Commitment to Values

Formal Education and Experience

• Undergraduate Diploma or Degree in Culinary Arts or another relevant field (preferred but not required). An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
• Relevant work experience including a minimum of 2+ years in a culinary supervisor or management position.
• Proven track record in establishing and/or advancing as well as managing business or social enterprise ventures.
• Food Safety Certification (must have proof of certification prior to date of hire)

Sector Knowledge

Familiarity with issues of poverty and Edmonton’s urban core is considered an asset.
Familiarity with the non-profit industry and/or non-profit food services operations is considered an asset.

Values

Personal commitment to Bissell Centre’s Mission, Vision and Core Values.
Ability to apply Bissell Centre’s Strategic Framework into day-to-day work.
Commitment to maintaining integrity and confidentiality related to Bissell Centre.

Working Conditions

This position works closely with community participants who are experiencing complex life situations. As such, this position requires a calm and empathetic demeanor with the ability to de-escalate conflict and intense situations with clear and effective communication methods.
Ability to spend frequent periods of time standing and frequent periods of time moving, bending, and lifting. It is a frequent requirement to stoop or lift material, fixtures or equipment and climb ladders. Employees must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50lbs.
Ability to work in a kitchen environment with varying temperatures and frequent exposure to a variety of food ingredients, grease, and other potential allergens.
Flexibility of the working week is inherent in this position as the workload fluctuates. Flexibility to work a combination of evenings, weekdays, weekends, and statutory holidays is required.
Guiding Competencies

The Employee should demonstrate strong competency in the following:

Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission, vision, and core values of Bissell Centre.
Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
Service Focus: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
Stay Organized: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information, and activities.
Plan Proactively: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement action plans, and evaluate the processes and results.
Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
Adapt to Change: Personal capacity to adapt to change, lead competently through change, and make strategic adjustments to address changing needs.
Self-Motivate: Capable of demonstrating independence and entrepreneurialism.
Work SMART: Create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound.

Reports to:

Head Chef, Community Meals & Food Services

Screening Requirements

Criminal Record Check
Child Intervention Record Check
Class 5 License, 3 Year Driver’s Abstract, Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance and Registration
Full Covid-19 Vaccination Confirmation

(applicable only if operating agency vehicles)

Training Requirements

Conflict into Calm Training
Naloxone Kit Training
WHMIS Training
Food Safety Certification
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Training
Talent LMS Course(s) Assignments

The above listed training requirements must be completed within the first three months of employment. Other training requirements may be identified during employment and must be completed as directed.

Job type: Contract

Application Deadline: Until a suitable candidate is found

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to:

Prasanna Peddireddy

Head Chef

Email: ppeddireddy@bissellcentre.org

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Bissell Centre is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity within our community and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability. Bissell Centre is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, in accordance with provincially and federally legislated protected grounds.

Application Deadline: May 31st, 2023

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