Food Service - Lead Cook

Position: Lead Cook

Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s) and Chef(s)

Who are we:

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Responsibilities 

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

• Work closely with Kitchen Manager(s) and Chef(s) to ensure the restaurant prep (BOH and line) is completed for daily operation.
• Meet daily quick service, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards.
• Ensure proper food quantities are set for daily and ongoing service.
• Participate in safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation and waste as necessary.
• Ensure safe food handling is maintained.
• Ensure proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing and glove use with self.
• Maintain a SSAfe work environment by abiding to all SSAFETY rules.
• Follow through daily prep and item lists, as assigned.
• Actively help to support operations in the assigned role, supporting gaps as necessary.
• Actively and efficiently respond to guest and client feedback, with report to the supervisor to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigate against further occurrence.
• Communicate with the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
• Remain knowledgeable of all menu items, prices and specials for sharing with guests.
• Assist with dishwashing as necessary.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• An ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic, and takes initiative.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operate, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

IDEA Belonging 

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary. 
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus on opportunities of giving back.

Previous Experience

• Kitchen experience needed.
• Leadership experience preferred.
• All educational backgrounds are eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments) 

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).

• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave.
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location. 

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C..  Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).  Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.  Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

Please note that for this position, we accept applications on an ongoing basis. There is no set deadline for submitting your application. We encourage interested candidates to apply at any time via our website at thessagroup.com, and we will review applications as they are received. This approach allows us to continuously consider potential candidates and ensures that opportunities remain open until the ideal candidate is found.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").  

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document. 

We accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. Apply anytime at thessagroup.com. Applications are reviewed as received, and the position remains open until filled.

Salary : $19 - $20