Risevoic
Executive Sous Chef
Company : Sodexo
Location : San Jose, CA, 95134
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Role Overview
Executive Sous Chef – The Good Eating Company San Jose, California
About the Role
As an Executive Sous Chef, you’ll be the heartbeat of the kitchen—hands-on, accessible, and setting the tone for culinary excellence. This role is about leading with presence, inspiring your team, and ensuring every plate reflects our passion for scratch cooking, fresh ingredients, and best-in-class hospitality.
We’re seeking a kitchen leader with a proven commitment to innovation, teamwork, and collaboration—someone who can inspire excellence and elevate workplace dining into something extraordinary. This position is the perfect next step for a Sous Chef ready to advance their career and make a lasting impact.
What You'll Do
Lead the Kitchen: Be hands-on during service, guiding the team and ensuring flawless execution.
Deliver Last-Mile Cooking: Elevate dishes with precision and creativity, ensuring every detail delights.
Inspire & Mentor Staff: Train, coach, and grow the culinary team, upholding the highest standards of quality, presentation, and safety.
Collaborate with Clients: Partner directly with clients to deliver seamless catering experiences and build trusted relationships.
Ensure Safety & Standards: Oversee daily production with a focus on food safety, sanitation, and consistent excellence.
What We Offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring
Proven experience in culinary leadership, ideally as a Sous Chef or similar role
Passion for scratch cooking, local sourcing, and culinary innovation
Strong mentoring skills to inspire and elevate your team
Operational expertise in food safety, compliance, and kitchen management
Who We Are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 2 years Minimum Functional Experience – 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
An Executive Sous Chef in San Jose typically demonstrates advanced leadership, precision in scratch cooking, and operational oversight beyond standard sous chef duties. They also focus on mentoring teams and collaborating closely with clients, elevating kitchen performance in the city's competitive culinary scene.
Progressing to an Executive Sous Chef often means stepping into a pivotal leadership position, expanding responsibilities from routine kitchen tasks to strategic team development and client partnerships. This role in San Jose can open doors to executive chef positions or specialized culinary management careers.
Balancing high-volume service with meticulous food safety and quality standards is central. In San Jose’s fast-paced environment, managing diverse teams, maintaining creativity under pressure, and meeting client expectations are key daily hurdles for Executive Sous Chefs.
Sodexo combines competitive salaries with comprehensive benefits like medical, dental, vision care, and a 401(k) plan with matching. Additionally, career growth avenues and tuition reimbursement support ongoing professional development for their Executive Sous Chefs.
Sodexo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a respectful, supportive atmosphere where Executive Sous Chefs can express creativity and lead effectively. This culture nurtures collaboration and innovation within San Jose’s culinary teams.
While an associate's degree or equivalent is standard, certifications in food safety and culinary management enhance candidacy. San Jose employers often value experience with local sourcing and scratch cooking, aligning with regional culinary trends.
San Jose’s culinary market is vibrant but competitive, with growing demand for skilled leaders who combine innovation and operational excellence. Candidates with hands-on leadership and client collaboration experience stand out in this dynamic hiring landscape.
Executive Sous Chefs in San Jose, especially at Sodexo, typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually. Compensation reflects experience, education, and culinary skills, alongside benefits like healthcare and retirement plans.
The Executive Sous Chef leads kitchen operations hands-on, ensuring flawless dish execution, safety compliance, and team motivation. At Sodexo, they also engage directly with clients to deliver exceptional catering experiences, blending culinary artistry with service excellence.
Sodexo invests in its culinary leaders through mentorship opportunities, career advancement pathways, and tuition reimbursement. This environment empowers Executive Sous Chefs to refine their skills and progress within the company, particularly in innovation-driven kitchens like those in San Jose.