Executive Sous Chef

Find Your Future in Paradise! 

Catalina Island Company welcomes all guests and visitors to our very special island.  Beyond being warm and courteous, our exceptional team members are knowledgeable and helpful - anticipating and personalizing their service on an individualized basis.

We seek individuals like YOU to create the finest personal service and extraordinary experiences for our guests.  

WHY CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY?

The Catalina Island Company offers more than just a workplace – it is a destination for service, adventure and inspiration!

In 1919, chewing gum entrepreneur William Wrigley Jr. bought nearly every share of the Santa Catalina Island Company until he owned a controlling interest. He then invested millions in his vision to create a "playground for all" on Catalina Island, building infrastructure, a reservoir, Hotel Atwater, Bird Park, and other attractions. In 1921, he made Avalon the Spring Training home of his beloved Chicago Cub’s, building the Catalina Country Club to house the team’s lockers and provide a gathering place for players. The team continued to train on the island until 1951. In 1929, Wrigley built the iconic Catalina Casino, which boasts the world’s largest circular ballroom and the first theatre designed and built to show talking motion pictures. During World War II, the island served as a military training facility and was closed to tourists. The island was a popular spot with Hollywood's elite during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. It also became a popular location for production companies to shoot movies. More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been shot in and around Catalina over the years, especially in Two Harbors on the island's west end. To this day, descendants of William Wrigley Jr. still own the Catalina Island Company and carry on his vision to create a world-class island resort.

We are a welcoming community that believes in fostering a positive, team-oriented atmosphere where every team member plays a part in creating unforgettable memories for our guests.  Join a team that is as vibrant, dynamic, and unique as the island itself!

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef in overseeing culinary operations across multiple restaurant venues and concepts. This role ensures consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and team leadership across diverse kitchens, while adapting to varying menus, service styles, and volume levels.  This position requires leadership, organizational skills, and a strong understanding of kitchen management and food safety.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support oversight of multiple kitchen operations (e.g., casual dining, fine dining, banquets, quick service)

• Ensure consistency in food quality, presentation, and execution across all venues

• Lead and supervise Sous Chefs, kitchen supervisors, and hourly staff across locations

• Act as a floating leader, stepping into different kitchens as needed to support service and staffing gaps

• Partner with the Executive Chef on menu development and concept execution for each venue

• Maintain and enforce standardized recipes, prep procedures, and plating guidelines

• Oversee inventory, ordering, and food cost controls across multiple outlets

• Analyze kitchen performance metrics (labor, waste, productivity) and implement improvements

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations across all venues

• Assist in hiring, training, coaching, and performance management of culinary staff

• Manage labor scheduling to align with business demands across locations

• Coordinate with front-of-house leadership to ensure seamless guest experiences

• Step in for the Executive Chef when needed

• Monitor and maintain kitchen staff schedules and payroll records, ensuring compliance with company policies and labor laws.

• Ensure all kitchen operations comply with internal controls, policies, and procedures, and meet all federal and state labor laws.

• Actively contribute to maintaining a positive, team-oriented work environment, addressing performance issues and resolving conflicts as necessary.

• Ensure all staff adhere to professional appearance standards and maintain a high level of professionalism in the workplace.

• Lead regular food tastings and collaborate with the team to ensure the culinary offerings remain at a consistently high standard.

• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Culinary degree or equivalent experience preferred

• 10-15 years culinary experience

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including multi-unit or high-volume operations

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Executive Sous Chef required

• Strong understanding of multi-concept kitchen operations (banquet, à la carte, fast casual, etc.)

• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams across multiple locations

• Strong financial acumen (food cost, labor management, inventory control)

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

• Previous experience in a fast-paced hospitality environment required

• Principles and practices of record-keeping.

• Safe food handling procedures

• Safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain equipment and tools.

• Perform heavy manual labor.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.

• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.

• Maintain records and files on work performed.

• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

• Ability to follow directions, efficiently coordinate functions with other teams to meet daily deadlines

• Motivation to contribute to the team and overall goals of the department

• California Manager Food Handler Certification completion upon hire

DETAILS
Position Type:   Full Time
 

HOUSING

The Catalina Island Company offers shared housing as an option for eligible employees at a subsidized rate.  Employees are responsible for paying a portion of the housing cost, typically deducted through payroll. 

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The pay scale for this position ranges between $105,000-$115,000 annually depending on the prior work experience. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position works in a busy restaurant environment that can be warm, noisy, and fast-paced. This role involves indoor and outdoor environments.  Must be comfortable and able to stand for up to 6-8 hours per day.  Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.  Requires dexterity, grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.  Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, management and team. 

SCHEDULE

This position requires a flexible schedule, with rotating weekday and weekend shifts, including day, night, and holiday hours.

LIFE ON CATALINA ISLAND

• A fast paced, exciting work environment with upward mobility and growth opportunities.

• Meet and engage with people from all over the country and world!
  

COMPANY PERKS

• Employee discounts and perks – restaurant, hotels and activities. 

• Beautiful island views and a summer of adventure!

BEING YOU AT CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY:
We are inclusive of, celebrate our differences, and welcome a broad range of perspectives and ideas without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed for our candidates. Please discuss this with our Talent Acquisition team during our selection process.