Production Sous Chef

Company: Purple Onion Catering Co.

Location: In-House Prep Kitchen & local venues

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: $60-75k (Depending on Experience)

Schedule: Most mornings, with some afternoons, weekends, and holidays as required by the event calendar

Purple Onion Catering Co. is seeking a hands-on, high-energy Production Sous Chef to lead our daily food operations. This is a "player-coach" role designed for a culinary leader who loves to prep alongside their team while simultaneously managing timelines, assigning tasks, and ensuring strict event targets are met. As the primary gatekeeper for food quality and recipe integrity, you will maintain a respectful, calm, and highly efficient kitchen culture.

What You'll Do

• Drive Production: Lead by example by prepping directly with the hourly culinary team while maintaining daily targets.
• Task & Schedule Coordination: Assign specific prep list tasks, optimize workflows, and coordinate strict event production timelines.
• Quality Assurance: Print and distribute recipes, ensuring portioning, presentation, seasoning, and consistency standards are met perfectly before packing.
• Inventory & Logistics: Partner weekly with the Kitchen Manager to monitor food inventory and handle ordering/receiving. Take direct ownership of 100% accurate event packing and onsite culinary execution support.
• Cost Controls: Help manage labor and food costs through efficient kitchen practices and proactive waste reduction.
• Culture & Teamwork: Promote a calm, respectful, team-oriented kitchen culture. Join ownership of cooking a daily staff meal to foster team bonding.

What We Are Looking For (Qualifications)

• Experience: 3 years of professional culinary experience in a high-volume kitchen or catering setting.
• Logistics: A valid Driver’s License to drive company vehicles and/or reliable transportation to travel to our top 15 event venues.
• Leadership: Strong communication skills with a professional, solutions-oriented mindset; ability to lead calmly under intense pressure. Bilingual proficiency is a major plus.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand on your feet for extended periods and comfortably lift up to 50 lbs.
• Flexibility: Open availability to handle early mornings, evenings, weekend events, and on-call needs for logistically complex situations.

Benefits & Perks

• Starting salary of $60k (DOE)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and sick pay
• 6 paid holidays
• Robust On-Call Incentive Program
• Opportunities for continuous leadership and culinary development
• Free shift meals for any shift lasting over 8 hours
• A supportive, evolving, and growth-focused team environment

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching (after one year)
• Dental insurance
• Food provided
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person