Kettle Room Associate - Assistant Cook

IPM Foods • Janesville, WI

4h • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Cook supports the kettle room team at Naturpak® by assisting with setup, ingredient preparation, and the general operation of the cook process. Working alongside the Cook and Controller, the role helps ensure prebatching, ingredient handling, equipment setup, and sanitation are completed accurately and on time so production can run smoothly and on schedule.

Work takes place in a food manufacturing production environment in the kettle room. The role involves regular exposure to heat, steam, hot liquids, moving equipment, and changing temperatures. Strict adherence to GMP, food safety, sanitation, allergen control, and workplace safety requirements is mandatory.

Requirements

• Ability to read and accurately follow recipes, batch records, and written or verbal instructions.
• Basic mathematical ability to measure, weigh, and verify ingredient quantities.
• Understanding of food safety, GMP, and allergen control principles.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, consistent ingredient preparation.
• Ability to work as part of a team and respond effectively to direction from the Cook, Controller, and Production Supervisor.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality; flexibility to work overtime as production needs require.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the kettle room and production floor for the entire shift.
• Ability to frequently lift, carry, and handle ingredient bags, totes, and containers weighing up to 50 lbs or more.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and kneel as required for ingredient handling, equipment assembly, and sanitation tasks.
• Ability to work around heat, steam, moisture, and hot liquids.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including gloves, hairnets, and safety footwear, for the full shift.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in food manufacturing, a kitchen, or a production support role is preferred; training will be provided.
• HACCP awareness is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Gather, weigh, and stage ingredients for the Cook before and during each cook.
• Prebatch ingredients according to recipe, allergen, and GMP requirements.
• Support equipment setup and preoperational checks at the start of each run.
• Assemble and disassemble kettle room equipment for cleaning and sanitation, including CIP.
• Keep the kettle room clean and organized throughout the shift.
• Communicate with the Cook, Controller, and Production Supervisor about ingredients and production needs.
• Follow food safety, allergen control, and safety procedures, including required PPE.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed