Central Kitchen Lead - Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op

Why Work with Us?

For many people, it's the opportunity to work for an inclusive, local, values driven business that provides healthy, delicious, and sustainable foods to their community; it's also about people - the ability to work with a great team to create amazing customer experiences. Whatever your reason for joining us, know this, working with us makes a difference!

Central Kitchen Leads will organize kitchen staff tasks and production efficiently to ensure accurate volume and an outstanding finished product, with the highest level of food safety and quality. They place and receive orders, conduct inventory and assist in training, directing and coaching staff while fostering a positive workspace. Leads ensure that the kitchen is clean, stocked, and that our products and practices meet all food safety and general safety requirements.

Duties include customer service, supervision, food production, ordering, inventory, stocking, quality, safety, and sanitation

Location: 740 East 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Schedule: Current shifts available may vary and can include day, evening, weekend, and holiday hours to meet department needs. Flexibility required to meet business needs.

Qualifications:

• High Volume Production: Experience in high volume scratch cooking, adjusting recipes based on number of servings needed; demonstrated understanding of food production fundamental cooking techniques including time and temperature controls, knife skills, weights and measures; ability to organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently to complete daily tasks effectively and efficiently
• Food Safety and Hygiene: Knowledge of optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and delivery of food products 
• Leadership Skills: Team lead or supervisory experience including staff direction, coaching, and training; the desire to grow as people leaders; the ability to actively contribute to and support an inclusive work environment
• Communication: Proven ability to effectively communicate with customers and staff, actively listen, understand needs, address questions; ability to provide information in a respectful and concise way fostering a positive and professional experience; ability to proactively communicate issues and concerns to leadership
• Teamwork: Demonstrates a professional, collaborative, adaptable, and flexible approach to work, especially during challenging situations, with a strong commitment to supporting the team; willing to learn new tasks and open to feedback
• Problem Solving: Ability to assess and address situations and departmental needs in advance; sound problem-solving skills for resolving staffing issues; skilled at handling challenging situations calmly and effectively
• Dependability: Proven ability to show up each day in a timely manner, ready to work and support team members; consistently follow through with meeting deadlines for accurately completing tasks and responsibilities
• Technical Skills: Basic computer skills including ability to enter data accurately, send email, working knowledge of Office 365; basic math skills; ability to timely and accurately perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership Skills: Team lead or supervisory experience in a food service environment
• Recipe Development: Experience in recipe development 
• Multilingual: Communicates in more than one language
• ServSafe Certification 

Benefits: Our pay and benefits focus on meeting the financial, health, and wellness needs of our staff. They include:

• 20% employee discount
• Excellent paid time off and paid volunteering
• 401(k) matching
• Low-cost health insurance premium options, and FREE access to primary care and mental health counseling for those enrolled in our medical insurance

We offer exceptional perks including:

• Free food "buddies"
• Employee referral bonuses
• Dress code that allows for inclusivity and creativity

Physical and Working Requirements:

The position involves frequent stationary tasks, along with regular movement within the kitchen and storage areas. Frequent positioning is required to access both low and high shelving, equipment, and products. The job also entails the frequent movement of containers weighing up to 50 lbs. Central Kitchen Leads constantly prepare and handle food items and may occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to reach high shelving. Central Kitchen Leads will utilize various equipment including but not limited to knives, mixers, ovens, and pallet jacks. This role requires exchanging accurate information in person, over the phone, and through email and other written communication. Additionally, Central Kitchen Leads will occasionally work in a walk-in cooler and be exposed to sanitizer, cleaning products, and loud noises.