What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sous Chef position at Harper Associates?
Sous Chef | West Michigan Lake Shore | $70K–$85K
Lead the Culinary Team at One of West Michigan's Newest Upscale-Casual Dining Destinations
We're seeking an experienced, passionate Sous Chef to join the leadership team of an extremely successful upscale-casual restaurant in one of West Michigan's most desirable resort communities near Lake Michigan.
Featuring a vibrant dining room, expansive outdoor patio, seasonal tourism traffic, and a strong commitment to exceptional guest experiences, this restaurant is designed to become a premier gathering place for both locals and visitors.
This is a unique opportunity for a talented culinary professional who thrives in high-volume kitchens, enjoys mentoring and developing teams, and is excited to help build a premier dining destination from the ground up.
What You'll Do
- Assist the Executive Chef in leading all day-to-day kitchen operations
- Train, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team
- Ensure consistent execution of recipes, presentation, and food quality standards
- Help manage food cost, labor, inventory, ordering, and kitchen productivity
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and food handling regulations
- Assist with menu execution, seasonal features, and daily specials
- Partner with front-of-house leadership to deliver an exceptional guest experience
- Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and culinary excellence
What We're Looking For
- 3 years of Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager experience
- Experience in upscale-casual, polished casual, or chef-driven restaurant concepts
- Proven success leading high-volume kitchen operations
- Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills
- Solid understanding of food cost, labor management, and inventory control
- Experience hiring, training, and developing culinary talent
- Passion for quality, consistency, and creating memorable dining experiences
- Ability to remain calm, organized, and hands-on in a fast-paced environment
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of $70,000–$85,000
- Performance-based bonus opportunity
- Leadership development and career growth opportunities
- PTO
- Free financial planning
- Opportunity to help shape and grow a new restaurant concept
- Exceptional quality of life in a beautiful Lake Michigan resort community
If you're a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys building strong teams, creating exceptional food, and helping establish one of West Michigan's premier dining destinations, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply through now or send your resume for confidential consideration.
Kevin Swanquist
Executive Recruiter
Harper Associates
kevin@harperjobs.com
www.harperjobs.com
248-737-0222
Salary : $70,000 - $85,000