Position: Sous Chef – Full Time/Exempt

Department: Nutrition Services 

Reports to: Executive Chef / Culinary Director  

Location: Arizona Cardinals (Tempe, AZ) NOTE: Starting 2028, this role will be based at the new Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in north Phoenix, AZ.

Format: In-person  

Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a student or employment Visas (including, but not limited to F-1, M-1, J-1, H-1B, OPT and/or CPT programs, etc.).

Cardinals Organizational Summary:   

The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is a professional football team within the National Football League (NFL). We compete in the National Football Conference (NFC) West division and call State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, our home.

As one of the oldest pro football franchises in the U.S., the Club has established itself as a sport and cultural hallmark within Arizona, as well as a trailblazer for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and firsts around the League.  Our vision is to build a leading sports organization that competes for championships, drives business results, creates loyal fans, develops proud employees, and inspires hope in our community. We are relentless in our pursuit of greatness on and off the field, while positively impacting our people, our fans, and our community.

If you want to join an organization that values putting the team first, doing what is right, growing with positivity, valuing every voice, while driving performance, we would love for you to join our team. Learn more about the Arizona Cardinals and see what’s happening here. 

Job Summary:

The Sous Chef will help optimize player health and performance through the creation and execution of nutritionally optimal meals and snacks, utilizing fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients, for players, coaches, and other team members. The Sous Chef will work closely with the executive chef to lead the culinary performance staff on the overall productivity, execution, and presentation of team and corporate meals. The Sous Chef will play a pivotal role in providing administrative support for the Executive Chef, kitchen staff and supporting departments within the organization.

Primary Job Duties:

The Sous Chef daily responsibilities will include, without limitation, the following:

• Train and mentor, all culinary staff via continuing education and workshops to ensure the quality representation of the Arizona Cardinals Nutrition Services expectations
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Chef and Dietitian to provide fresh, local, sustainable, balanced, and nutrient dense meals tailored specifically to enhance athletic performance and health
• Assists in development and execution of menus for all team meals ensuring compliance with personalized nutrition plans for training, competition, recovery, injury management, and travel to match training demands and health goals
• Recipe development and cataloging to increase the variety in the kitchen recipe book. Help support the nutritionist with data on recipes to best serve the player's needs.
• Manage ordering selection and schedule of product for upcoming menus. Maintain back-up products and ensure rotation of all orders to ensure quality and minimize waste
• Continually work with food to expand the kitchens offerings as well as help to develop the kitchen teams' interest in food and creating dishes
• Share cooking techniques and procedures to elevate the kitchen team
• Monitor quantity of food preparation versus consumption. Develop a process to track and manage waste
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on process for corporate meal needs, including portion control
• Demonstrate/teach/train staff on the butchery of "center of the plate" proteins, including best ways to use trim.
• Manage corporate dining service ensuring the delivery of exceptional guest experiences, while effectively forecasting, planning, and managing F&B orders, staff, and finances. This includes monitoring meal consumption and preparation, communicating needs of service from equipment, adjustments, and aiding in food service as needed.
• Establish relationships with quality, nutritional-minded vendors to procure seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients. Assist Executive Chef in sourcing more boutique local Arizona products to add into the nutrition program
• Be on the line and present during meal periods to ensure proper cooking techniques and taste of the final product
• Pre-shift meetings and line checks
• Health inspection checklists, proper adherence, "best practices", enforcement and readiness
• Monitor and track equipment performance, manage preventative maintenance and coordinate service calls
• Administrative Duties:
• Assist with manual timecard entries and any payroll concerns for all nutrition services staff
• Manage performance nutrition staff scheduling, monitor hours, review and approve timecards for payroll 
• Work with Talent Acquisition team as the initial screener for all new hires, and monitor the onboarding process with new hires
• Support Executive Chef and manage the scheduling and staffing levels, manage overtime and maximize production.
• Ensure front of house food safety and cleaning checklists are completed
• Oversee purchasing, inventory, general food receiving, product storage, rotation and FIFO principals
• Responsible for department AMEX + Concur
• Monitor invoices and fulfill coding in AP system
• Participate with planning of training camp deliveries and timeline, support/planning for off-site production
• Work with Executive Chef to monitor expenses and budget status along with other general administrative duties including menu costing, inventory tracking, invoicing, and reporting market food price fluctuations
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in food and beverage, business, management, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience: At least four (4) years working in a professional kitchen
• Experience: At least four (4) years of food and beverage supervisory experience
• Current on all required certifications including a ServSafe Manager Certifications
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Office and SharePoint
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity to all personnel matters and information
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, while also being able to be collaborative and team-oriented
• Experience supporting a healthy culture within an organization
• Ability to effectively work in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities that require strong project management and decision-making capabilities and flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and professionally communicate with all individuals across the organization
• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for periods of up to eight (8) hours in length
• Ability to lift up to 20-30 pounds on a regular basis
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays; hours may vary depending on business needs.
• Must complete all pre-employment forms and successfully pass a background check.

Cardinals Benefits/Perks Summary:

The Arizona Cardinals Football Club has developed a comprehensive benefits package that provides economic and inclusive benefits to full-time employees. The Cardinals benefits offer care, protection, and support for employees and their loved ones. The Cardinals organization encourages an environment that is conducive to living a healthy, productive, and flexible lifestyle.

Benefits and Perks include, but are not limited to:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options; effective the first day of hire
• 401 (k) retirement option with employer match contribution
• Paid Time Off Accruals (including sick time accruals)
• Paid Time Off for most Federal holidays
• Time off for Maternity, Paternity, Military, and Bereavement
• MDLIVE: 24/7 medical support
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Care Saving Account options
• Discounts on Cardinals gear & paraphernalia
• Tuition reimbursement & Professional Growth opportunities
• Daily free lunch
• Complimentary season tickets
• Subsidized gym memberships  

The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
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