WHO WE ARE

Are you looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create change in the community? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of each individual, Bissell Centre's work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we.

Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join the Food Services team. Are you ready to be our Sous Chef, Food Services and make an impact in our community?

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head Chef, Food Services, the Sous Chef will be a key member of our culinary team, assisting the Head Chef in managing and supervising the kitchen operations. Your role is essential in maintaining high culinary standards, overseeing food preparation, and leading the kitchen team in the Head Chef's absence. This position requires a combination of culinary expertise, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ambassadorship

• Model the values of Bissell Centre and communicate these principles in a clear and compelling fashion both internally and externally. Translate organizational values into departmental culture and everyday activities to foster a welcoming and engaging working environment.

• Mission and Vision focused and driven to provide human-centered services and access to food security for community members.
• Show empathy and the ability to communicate with and support individuals experiencing mental health, addictions, chronic illness, houselessness, poverty, and other complex life challenges. Able to respond appropriately to intense situations, provide conflict resolution, and work directly with individuals living with unique barriers.

Departmental Operations

• Culinary Leadership: Collaborate with the Head Chef to plan and execute menu items, ensuring the highest quality, taste, and presentation of dishes. Provide guidance and support to the kitchen team, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Food Preparation: Take an active role in food preparation, cooking, and plating, demonstrating expertise in various culinary techniques and ensuring consistency in taste and appearance.

• Kitchen Supervision: Supervise and coordinate the activities of kitchen staff, including junior chefs and kitchen porters. Assign duties, manage work schedules, and maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Quality Control: Maintain strict quality control measures throughout the kitchen, conducting regular inspections to ensure adherence to food safety and hygiene standards. Monitor portion sizes, presentation, and taste of dishes before they are served to guests.
• Inventory and Ordering: Assist in managing kitchen inventory, tracking food supplies, and placing orders to ensure timely and efficient procurement of ingredients and kitchen supplies.
• Menu Development: Contribute to menu development by suggesting new dishes, modifying existing recipes, and incorporating seasonal ingredients while considering customer preferences and dietary restrictions.
• Health and Safety Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to health and safety regulations, food handling practices, and sanitation standards. Train kitchen staff in proper procedures and lead by example in maintaining a clean and safe working environment.

• Staff Training and Development: Participate in the training and development of kitchen staff, providing coaching, feedback, and mentorship to help them grow in their culinary careers.
• Cost Management: Assist in managing food costs by minimizing waste, controlling portion sizes, and optimizing ingredient usage without compromising on quality.
• Event Coordination: Collaborate with the Head Chef in organizing and executing special events, banquets, and catering functions, ensuring a seamless and exceptional dining experience for customers.
• Customer Experience: In conjunction with the team, provide a high quality of service delivery and customer experience through meaningful participant interaction and solicitation of feedback.

General and Administrative

• Adherence to all organizational policies and procedures including but not limited to reporting of staff complaints, health and safety concerns, and critical incidents.
• Participate in probationary period reviews and annual development appraisals.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, supervision meetings, and performance check-ins.
• Participate in organizational wide Community Safety Walks in the assigned community area(s).
• Signing authority as determined by the position and the policies and procedures of Bissell Centre.

• Attendance at and participation in organizational events including but not limited to the Annual General Meeting, Staff Gala, fundraising events (ie. Coldest Night of the Year), and departmental specific events.
• Perform other duties as required that may not be listed in the formal job description, or as assigned by the Head Chef.

Qualifications

Formal Education and Experience

• Culinary Education: A formal culinary degree or relevant culinary qualifications are preferred, but extensive experience in a professional kitchen may be considered.
• Culinary Experience: Proven experience as a Chef de Partie or Junior Sous Chef, with a strong background in various culinary techniques and a diverse range of cuisine.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team, with excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Creativity: A passion for culinary arts and a creative approach to menu development and presentation.
• Time Management: Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure to meet deadlines and manage a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required in the dynamic hospitality industry.
• Health and Safety Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of food safety and hygiene standards, with a commitment to maintaining a safe and clean kitchen.
• Familiarity with issues of poverty and houselessness in Edmonton's urban core is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the not-for-profit sector and/or social enterprise operations is considered an asset.

Conditions of Work

Bissell Centre works with community members who are experiencing poverty, houselessness, and other complex life challenges. As such, the position requires a calm and empathetic demeanor with the ability to de-escalate conflict and intense situations using clear and effective communication methods (training is provided).

Ability to spend frequent periods of time standing or sitting, and frequent periods of time moving, bending, and lifting. It is a frequent requirement to stoop or lift material, fixtures and equipment, and climb ladders. This individual must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Ability to work in a fast paced and agile commercial environment with varying air and water temperatures, and frequent exposure to a variety of food ingredients, steam, greases and oils, and potential airborne and physical allergens.

Flexibility of the working week is inherent in the position as workload fluctuates. Working of some evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays may be required and is compensated in alignment with Bissell Centre policies and procedures, and provincial government employment standards.

Personal Characteristics

The Employee should demonstrate competence in all of the following:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission and core values of Bissell Centre.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Participant Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

• Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Screening Requirements

• Police Information and Vulnerable Sector Record Check (reimbursable)
• Child Welfare and Intervention Record Check (reimbursable)
• Class 5 License, 3 Year Driver's Abstract (reimbursable), Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance and Registration (all driving documents applicable if required to operate agency vehicles)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Confirmation (with exception due to established exemption(s))

Training Requirements

• Conflict Into Calm Training
• Narcan/Naloxone Training
• WHMIS 2015 Training
• CSA Standard Z1210-17 First Aid Certification (job dependent and post-probation)

• Fire Protection Training
• CCOHS Training(s) (job dependent)
• Defensive Driving Training (job dependent)
• Food Safe Certification (job dependent)