Executive Sous Chef

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market is Metro Detroit’s destination for premium produce, meats, seafood, and specialty foods. We pride ourselves on fresh ingredients, chef-driven offerings, and attentive customer service.

Role Snapshot – Executive Sous Chef

Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, drive culinary innovation, and mentor a high-performing team. Your leadership will ensure every dish reflects Joe’s standard of excellence while meeting production timelines and profitability targets.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Production

• Partner with the Executive Chef on seasonal menu planning and product development.

• Coordinate daily prep lists, station assignments, and production schedules.

• Execute and oversee hot-line, garde-manger, and catering operations during service.

Quality & Consistency

• Enforce recipe adherence, portion control, and plating standards.

• Conduct daily tastings and line checks to guarantee flavor, texture, and presentation align with brand expectations.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Champion ServSafe and HACCP protocols; maintain an immaculate BOH environment.

• Monitor receiving, storage, and rotation to preserve peak freshness and minimize shrink.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, and coach cooks; lead pre-shift meetings and ongoing skills workshops.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Financial Stewardship

• Track food and labor costs; implement waste-reduction and yield-optimization strategies.

• Assist with inventory counts, vendor relationships, and purchase orders.

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Liaise with butchers, bakers, and front-of-house teams to fulfill special orders and catering requests.

• Anticipate guest preferences and emerging trends to drive incremental sales.

What You Bring

• 5+ years progressive culinary experience, including 2+ years as Sous Chef or higher in a high-volume or upscale environment.

• Mastery of classical and contemporary cooking techniques, advanced knife skills, and broad ingredient knowledge.

• Proven track record managing teams, controlling costs, and meeting production deadlines.

• ServSafe Manager (or equivalent) certification and thorough understanding of allergen management.

• Creativity, composure under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Why Joe’s

• Competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits.

• A chef-led culture that values craftsmanship, innovation, and professional growth.

• Access to exceptional local and specialty ingredients to inspire your craft.

Our Commitment to DEI

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market fosters a workplace where every individual—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability—is respected, heard, and empowered to succeed.

EEO Statement

Joe’s Produce & Gourmet Market is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Ready to elevate Metro Detroit’s freshest market kitchen? Apply today and bring your culinary leadership to Joe’s.