Food Service Associate SEASONAL

SSA Group, LLC • Royal Oak, MI

13d • $15 - $15 • Onsite

About The Position

The Food Service Associate supports daily restaurant operations at SSA Group at the Detroit Zoo, helping deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients. The role includes front-of-house and line preparation, meeting food-service, safety, quality, merchandising, availability, and guest-service standards, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized environment. This is a seasonal position through January 3, 2027, with an option to return for the 2027 season. Returning requires a re-interview, with the candidate receiving an opportunity to interview before the position is opened to the public in February 2027. Applicants must be at least 18 and available for nights and weekends for Wild Lights. The position reports to the Food Service Supervisor, if applicable, and/or Food Service Operations Manager(s).

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be available to work nights and weekends for Wild Lights.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, together with the ability to stay organized.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who is personable, professional, upbeat, energetic, and takes initiative.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and move and handle boxes weighing 10–35 pounds as needed, including lifting and performing the role's duties.
• Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Previous experience is not required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client in keeping with 452 Hospitality.
• Support front-of-house and line preparation for daily restaurant operations.
• Meet daily quick-service, food-service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest-service standards.
• Participate in safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste, as necessary.
• Follow proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing, and glove-use practices.
• Maintain a safe work environment by following SSAFETY rules.
• Complete daily preparation and item lists as assigned.
• Support the assigned operation and help cover gaps as needed.
• Respond actively and efficiently to guest and client feedback, and report it to a supervisor to help prevent recurring complaints.
• Communicate issues with daily service or quality to the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager.
• Remain knowledgeable about menu items, prices, and specials to share with guests.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment and uphold sanitation requirements.
• Demonstrate understanding of and comply with company policies and procedures.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the brand team and across units.
• Support removal of barriers and empower growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, apply knowledge of those efforts in business operations, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff as appropriate.
• Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.
• Perform other tasks as necessary.

Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program providing access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal plan and employee discounts at applicable locations.
• 401(k) program with a 15% company match, subject to age, service, hours-worked, and enrollment-period eligibility conditions.
• Tuition discount through a partnership college.
• Up to 8 hours of bereavement leave.
• Holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws; accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

What This Job Offers

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