$70000–$85000 yearly
Full-time
Opening Sous Chef JB Eatery — West Village, New York City $70,000–$80,000 per year, based on experience JB Eatery is a new 55-seat neighborhood bistro opening in the West Village. Our cooking is rooted in modern French technique with Asian influences—seasonal, ingredient-driven, and focused on thoughtful sourcing, strong execution, and consistency. We are looking for a driven, hands-on Opening Sous Chef who wants to help build a restaurant from the beginning, rather than simply step into a system that has already been created. You will work closely with the Executive Chef and ownership team to develop kitchen systems, organize prep and service, train the opening team, execute the menu, and establish clear standards for quality, cleanliness, communication, and accountability. This is a hands-on culinary leadership position. The ideal candidate is comfortable leading from the line, working multiple stations when necessary, staying calm under pressure, and helping build a respectful kitchen culture based on discipline, teamwork, and pride in the food. Responsibilities • Help develop opening procedures, kitchen SOPs, prep systems, station organization, and service standards, • Lead daily prep and service alongside the culinary team, • Work sauté, grill, garde manger, prep, expo, and other stations when needed, • Train, coach, and support cooks, • Maintain consistent food quality, presentation, seasoning, portioning, and execution, • Ensure the kitchen remains clean, organized, properly stocked, and service-ready, • Assist with ordering, receiving, inventory, food-cost management, and waste control, • Support labor planning, prep efficiency, portion control, and daily production management, • Monitor product quality, storage, labeling, rotation, and food-safety procedures, • Help maintain accurate prep lists, inventory records, waste logs, and station checklists, • Communicate clearly with the Executive Chef, ownership team, and front-of-house leadership, • Take ownership of kitchen operations when the Executive Chef is away, • Help establish a serious, respectful, accountable, and team-oriented kitchen culture Qualifications • At least one year of experience in a culinary leadership role, such as Sous Chef, Junior Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Lead Line Cook, • Strong professional cooking experience in a quality-driven, full-service restaurant, • Comfortable working and leading across multiple kitchen stations, • Basic understanding of food cost, labor control, waste tracking, portion control, and prep efficiency, • Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, proper storage, and kitchen cleanliness, • Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, or equivalent food-safety certification, preferred, • Organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities, • Able to lead with clarity, accountability, and respect, without ego or unnecessary drama, • Strong communication and problem-solving skills, • Comfortable working in a fast-paced opening environment, • Curious, ambitious, and interested in growing with a new restaurant, • Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required, • Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including frequently lifting up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation Experience with French technique, Asian ingredients, inventory systems, menu development, or restaurant openings is preferred but not required. We care more about attitude, standards, leadership, consistency, and willingness to learn than having a perfect résumé. Schedule This is a full-time salaried position, generally scheduled over five days per week. Flexibility will be required during the opening and training period, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Compensation and Benefits • Dental and vision insurance options, • Paid time off, • Staff meal during each full shift, • Employee dining discount, • Predictable five-day scheduling whenever operationally possible, • Performance and compensation review after six months, • Opportunities for professional development and advancement JB Eatery is being built with a long-term vision. Our goal is to establish a strong first restaurant and grow thoughtfully from there. For the right person, this position can develop into a larger culinary leadership role, including opportunities to support future openings, train new teams, participate in menu development, and take on greater operational responsibility. To apply, please submit your résumé and a brief introduction explaining why you are interested in joining an opening restaurant.
