Sous Chef - High-Volume Scratch Kitchen & Restaurant Operations

We are seeking a hands-on, driven Sous Chef to support daily kitchen operations at a high-volume American restaurant in Charlotte. This leader will partner closely with the Executive Chef to maintain food quality, operational consistency, and strong team performance.

The ideal candidate has experience in a scratch-kitchen environment, thrives during busy service periods, and leads confidently from the line. We are looking for an engaged culinary leader who can motivate the team, maintain high standards, and help deliver consistent food execution every shift.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support daily back-of-house operations and kitchen service execution.
• Actively work the line and expo during peak service periods.
• Train, coach, and develop line cooks and prep team members.
• Maintain consistent standards for food quality, presentation, recipes, and portion control.
• Assist with ordering, inventory management, food costing, and waste reduction.
• Monitor labor efficiency, kitchen productivity, and staffing needs.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards.
• Maintain organized prep systems and efficient kitchen workflows.
• Partner with the Executive Chef to improve operational performance and team accountability.
• Assume kitchen leadership responsibilities in the Executive Chef’s absence.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience as a Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or comparable BOH leader.
• Strong background in high-volume, full-service restaurants and scratch kitchens.
• Experience with American cuisine, casual dining, sports-bar-style restaurants, or comparable high-energy concepts preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate kitchen teams during high-pressure service.
• Strong understanding of food cost, inventory, ordering, waste control, and labor management.
• Hands-on experience with line execution, expo, prep coordination, and kitchen organization.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards; ServSafe certification preferred or ability to obtain.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Reliable, organized, and solutions-oriented with a commitment to quality and consistency.
• Flexible availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.