Executive Sous Chef

Job Introduction

Be a part of a team that exists to inspire and enable exceptional experiences    

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as Executive Sous Chef. In this role you will provide an exceptional culinary experience to our guests every day onboard our purpose-built boutique ships, which carry a maximum 999 guests at any time.

You will also be responsible for assisting the Executive Chef in the Culinary Operation to ensure that all guests receive exceptional culinary experience everyday by creating a boutique menu to include local produce from our ports of call.

You will also be involved in the training and development of the culinary team ensuring service standards are met, company policies, regulations and SOPs are followed.

Role Responsibility

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the culinary team, assisting the Executive Chef with food planning, preparation and quality control
• Monitors quality and cost of food production ensuring set budgets are achieved and maintained
• Communicates with the Executive Chef on a daily basis to review menus, Guest comments and complaints to make revisions and improvements
• Manages the financial aspects of the assigned food operation and delivers a weekly report to the Executive Chef
• Establishes and develops a highly motivated, pro-active galley team that deliver the highest quality orientated service product delivering a cost-effective and ethical operation in line with the Saga Leadership Model
• Liases with the Food & Beverage Storekeeper, Pastry Chef, Executive Chef and Speciality Chefs regarding availability, specifications, standard items lists and delivery logistics, as well as shipboard inventory levels, stock rotation
• Complete daily walkthroughs of all culinary operations including provisions with Executive Chef, Pastry Chef and each Speciality Chef
• Ensure that all galley areas are maintained in accordance with company policy, USPH, SMS, HACCP and safety and environmental regulations
• Assists with developing and maintaining par stocks for food product and equipment
• Assist and work with the Hotel Operations Manager and Executive Chef in Menu implementation and delivery
• Carries out training, coaching and mentoring of the galley team and ensure deputies follow suit
• Monitors and ensures with the Executive Chef the correct storage and cold storage of all products according to company standards
• Informs the Executive Chef of all relevant issues regarding the galley operation requesting the appropriate support
• Reports to Technical department any defects or repairs that affect the daily operation in the galley and that potentially violate USPH and/or SMS requirements and monitors repair schedule
• With the Executive Chef, conducts regular spot-checks and inspections of USPH and other Public Health requirements
• Reviews culinary crew rotas with the Executive Chef ensuring that each outlet has the required manpower to deliver a high-quality service
• Monitors all food requisitions to avoid overstocking in the galley storage spaces and unnecessary wastage
• Monitors food wastage to ensure costs are kept to a minimum
• Monitors ILO Work & Rest hours are followed and entered into the time keeping system accurately
• Responsible for the general cleanliness of all galley outlets in conjunction with the Health & Hygiene Officer and Chief Kitchen Steward

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience as Executive Sous Chef onboard a Cruise ship or 4/5* hotel/resort
• Excellent organizational skills and able to juggle several operations in one go
• Demonstrated experience in motivating, leading and engaging a diverse workforce to increase synergy and improve productivity
• Passionate about people and able to handle guest complaints with a smile!
• All certificates as required by the STCW code for this position
• Excellent understanding of food specifications, including but not limited to USDA meat and standards and grading
• Knowledge of Vessel Sanitation Program regulations and procedures
• Experience of budgeting and cost control, including working with Inventory reports, food cost reports and monthly financial statements
• Good command of the English Language

Package Description

This is a fixed term contract onboard our cruise ships and comes with an excellent benefits package.

About the Company

At Saga we see the world through our customers eyes to allow us to exceed their expectations. Over the past 18 months, we have been focused on creating a British boutique cruising experience for our guests that is not available elsewhere on the market. The arrival of Spirit of Discovery last year was the first milestone in this plan and the ship has been extremely well received by our guests. We have now taken delivery of the newest addition to our fleet, Spirit of Adventure, with her striking design, distinctive new venues, and innovative speciality restaurants, she will certainly have a unique personality. She will complement Spirit of Discovery, and fulfil our promise of boutique luxury, perfectly.  

You will be welcomed into a loyal and caring group of professionals who see our passengers and other crew members as real people with feelings and needs. Guests are known by their name and are not just a number. We pride ourselves as working as one team between those working onboard and onshore to create the best possible product for our guests. 

Below you will see some videos of our new ships:

Below you will also see links to our website that will allow you to virtually step onboard our ships:

https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-discovery.aspx

https://travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-adventure.aspx

Saga Group