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Executive Sous Chef / Kitchen Operations Manager

Crawford Thomas Recruiting

Fairfax, VA

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$75,000–$85,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Catering Services, Communication Skills, Conferences, Cook Dishes, Cost Control, Detail Oriented, English Language, FIFO, Food Production, Food Quality, Food Safety, Health Department, Inventory Levels, Inventory Management, Leadership, Lift/Move 50 Pounds, Mentoring, Multilingual, Operational Support, Operations, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, Production Control, Production Management, Production Schedule, Production Systems, Production Volume, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Management, Quality Monitoring, Regulations, Sanitation, ServSafe Certification, Service Delivery, Shipping/Receiving, Spanish Language, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Time Management, Warehousing
LOCATION
Fairfax, VA
POSTED
2 days ago
Salary:
$75,000- $85,000

Position Summary
Our client is seeking an experienced, highly organized Kitchen Manager to work with the Executive Chefs to help oversee daily operations within their high-volume production kitchen. This role is responsible forhelping manage culinary production, staff leadership, food quality, sanitation standards, inventory, and operational efficiency across a large-scale catering facility servicing corporate events, weddings, galas, conferences, and off-premise events throughout the DMV region.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, understands large-scale batch production and event execution, and can effectively work with the Executive Chef to lead teams through high-volume production schedules while maintaining exceptional food quality and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations
  • Work with the Executive Chef to oversee daily kitchen production for multiple simultaneous events, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale events of 1,000+ guests
  • Manage production timelines, prep schedules, and labor allocation to ensure on-time execution
  • Coordinate closely with Culinary, Warehouse, and Operations teams to support event readiness
  • Monitor food quality, freshness, presentation, and proper holding procedures throughout production.

Team Leadership
  • Supervise and lead prep cooks, line cooks, stewards, and production staff
  • Train and mentor kitchen employees on production standards, safety, sanitation, and efficiency
  • Foster a positive, accountable, and team-oriented kitchen culture

Inventory & Purchasing Support
  • Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering and receiving products.
  • Maintain proper storage organization and product rotation using FIFO standards.
  • Help manage food cost controls, waste reduction, and production efficiency.
  • Ensure all kitchen equipment and smallwares are properly maintained and operational.

Food Safety & Compliance
  • Enforce all health department, HACCP, and food safety regulations.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready facility at all times.
  • Ensure proper sanitation procedures, allergen protocols, and cleaning schedules are completed daily.

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of kitchen management or large-scale catering production experience.
  • Strong understanding of high-volume food production and catering operations.
  • Experience managing teams in fast-paced production environments.
  • Knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP procedures, and sanitation standards.
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs and work extended hours during peak event periods.
  • Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
  • Experience with inventory management and production systems preferred.
  • Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Catering or hospitality production experience strongly preferred.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification.
  • Experience with large event production kitchens.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
  • Familiarity with catering software platforms such as CaterXpert preferred.

Qualities They're Looking For:
  • Calm under pressure
  • Strong sense of urgency and accountability
  • Hands-on leadership style
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized
  • Solutions-focused mindset
  • Passion for hospitality and exceptional food quality

About the Company:
Our client is a premier full-service catering and event company known for elevated culinary experiences, large-scale event execution, and creative hospitality throughout the Washington, DC region. Their team delivers exceptional service across corporate events, weddings, galas, museum events, conferences, and luxury social experiences.

About the Company

C

Crawford Thomas Recruiting

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