POSITION SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of the Sous Chef is to maintain an efficient operation by constantly analyzing quality and cost of food production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operational

• Maintain set budget and monitor time management.
• Provide ongoing training and ensure that the standards set by the Corporate Offices are followed.
• Ensure safe, quality food products and complete guest satisfaction.
• Develop and comply with the systems, procedures, rules, objectives and timescales set by the organization and take a disciplined approach when undertaking tasks.
• Work within a technical/specialized area of expertise to improve the quality of the service and product provided.
• Adopt an accommodating and helpful manner.
• Accept the objectives set by others and work within agreed parameters to ensure tasks are complete.
• Mentor, counsel, coach and support subordinates to boost morale and personal esteem.
• Maintain a high level of crew morale within the administration dept. ensuring that all crew are treated i n a fair and unbiased manner and the team works with a positive atmosphere.
• Ensure full adherence to menus, recipes, methods and operational specifics provided by the company.
• Seek direction and authority from others when and if appropriate.
• Achieve set goals in a non-assertive and efficient manner.
• Conduct food tastings on a daily basis.
• Correct discrepancies (quality, taste, appearance) immediately.
• Monitor and assist Section Heads to prepare the daily electronic food requisitions according to the forecasted figures.
• Monitor the Dinner Service Line in assigned location, to ensure smooth and efficient service, presentation and final plating.
• Monitor the production and preparation level using the Culinary Checklist.
• Maintain and ensure that Public Health regulations (US, Anvisa, Shipsan, Canadian, Australian, etc.) are followed at all times on board.
• Report any malfunctions and necessary repairs that affect the daily operation in the galley, and that violate Public Health & SMS requirements to the Technical department.
• Ensure that all the HACCP procedures are applied at all times and followed accordingly.
• Ensure that assigned area of responsibility is ready for announced or unannounced inspection conducted by Ship Management or local authorities.
• Be present during all inspections.
• Ensure and reinforce the daily Recipe review program with CDP’s and Section Heads. Recipe reviews must be submitted to the culinary department for review and approval.
• Enforce the established working schedule for the galley team, based on 10 hours a day and 7 days a week.
• Ensure rest hours are followed according to MLC 2006.
• Ensure that all galley staff is adhering to OCI uniform and grooming policies: Hygiene, Grooming, Personal appearance, Uniform, Safety shoes, Dress code
• Monitor all daily requisitions, especially expensive items (Meat, Fish and Seafood/Flagged items)
• Ensure the portion control chart is followed accordingly.

Training & Development

• Attend all meetings, training activities or classes related to assigned position as required.
• Participate in the daily Chefs Meeting to discuss forecasted figures, issues encountered, and the day-to-day operation/activities.
• Evaluate subordinates within department.
• Ensure that all food crewmembers follow the rules and regulations of the ship.
• Monitor the training and familiarization of new food crewmembers to their new job and living environment.
• Develop program to train personnel in appropriate area of responsibility according to standard opera ti ng procedures.
• Ensure that the recipe training program is conducted as required.

Financial

• Responsible for controlling food and general expenses related to the production in his / her area, set by the Corporate Office Guidelines and Budget.
• Maintain cost control within department/team.
• Ensure economical work practices are in place to minimize and/or avoid waste.
• Control overtime and apply TAR procedures accordingly (work within the set budget perimeters).

Safety Responsibilities

• Ensure that all safety procedures are followed.
• Cooperate with the Staff Captain in adhering to the ship’s safety program.
• Follow the Ship Rules & Regulations.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary environment for all guests and crew members.
• Follow proper procedures and instructions at all times to prevent damage of any kind to ship or company property.
• Participate in safety drills as required.

Resources

• Maintain a high level of crew morale within the administration dept. ensuring that all crew are treated i n a fair and unbiased manner and the team works with a positive atmosphere.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the Cooking Demonstration as required.
• Attend early stand-by for any inspection.
• Work late hours occasionally for specific events.
• Assist the Procurement team with storing operations and quality control.
• Supervise activities such as afternoon tea, pool parties, cocktail parties, Main galley/Terrace Café lunch service, and evening duties.
• Ensure confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Achieve the primary objectives of the position and comply with the above-mentioned accountabilities in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with SSSL policies.
• Project a favorable image of the company, promote its aims and objectives, and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all its areas and endeavors.
• Comply with the safety and pollution prevention regulations and operating procedures at all times, participating in all relevant meetings and training sessions.
• Participate in all mandatory training without excuse.
• To efficiently perform all other duties as requested by shipboard management or shore side.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, experience, skill, and/or ability

Required

• Advanced culinary skills, leadership, and experience.
• Minimum of 8 years in the profession (Quality Hotels and Restaurants).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a management role in a well -recognized luxury hospitality establishment or upscale cruise line.
• Fluent in written and spoken English,
• Communicate effectively with the senior management.
• Possess ability to lead and make decisions.
• Good administrative skills.
• Experienced in coaching subordinates.
• Must be cost and quality conscious.
• Adhere to specific scheduled work hours, yet be flexible if circumstances require it.
• Work with international team members.
• Perform assigned duties under pressure (time constraints).

Preferred

• Cruise Ship Experience.
• Fluency in additional language(s)

Required computer skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft programs to include but not limited to, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point

Education/experience/certifications

• High School education or international equivalent.
• 3-year apprenticeship for professional chefs or a Degree in Culinary Arts.
• USPH or HACCP certification.
• STCW preferred.

Other Skills:

• Knowledge of general office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills .
• Ability to interact with senior-level management and owner representatives.

Math Ability:

Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions for this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to: Stand; Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; Reach with hands and arms; Talk or hear and smell
• The employee must be able to lift or move up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms) without assistance.

Vision Requirements:

• Ability to adjust focus, depth perception, peripheral vision, distance vision and close vision and to be able to otherwise perform the essential functions of the job in a manner that does not present danger to the employee or others with or without a reasonable accommodation.