Line Cook / Smoothie Technician - New Store Opening

HOMETOWN COFFEE & JUICE • Northbrook, IL

15h • Onsite

About The Position

At Hometown Coffee & Juice, our Line Cook / Smoothie Technicians bring our menu to life with consistency, speed, and care. In this role, you'll work across both our kitchen line and smoothie station, preparing food, smoothies, juices, smoothie bowls, and other menu items according to Hometown recipes and standards. You'll manage ticket flow, maintain quality and accuracy, keep your stations organized and ready for service, and work closely with the entire team to keep orders moving. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role that requires flexibility, attention to detail, strong teamwork, and the ability to move between stations based on the needs of the business.

Requirements

• Previous kitchen, line cook, smoothie, juice, or food service experience is preferred, but we are happy to train the right person.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow recipes accurately.
• Basic knife skills or a willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• ServSafe certification is preferred or can be obtained upon hiring.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to learn and rotate between the kitchen line, smoothie station, and other assigned stations.
• Ability to stand and move throughout the kitchen and café for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that may include heat, noise, and frequent movement.
• Ability to safely use kitchen equipment, knives, blenders, juicers, and other food preparation equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous kitchen, line cook, smoothie, juice, or food service experience
• ServSafe certification

Responsibilities

• Prepare food, smoothies, juices, smoothie bowls, and other assigned menu items according to Hometown recipes, specifications, and quality standards.
• Maintain awareness of ticket flow and prepare orders within expected service times.
• Keep your assigned station clean, organized, stocked, and ready for service.
• Rotate between the kitchen line, smoothie station, and other assigned stations based on business needs.
• Set up, maintain, and reset stations according to Hometown standards.
• Follow recipes, portion standards, and preparation procedures carefully.
• Ensure every menu item meets Hometown standards for taste, texture, appearance, and presentation.
• Prepare, cook, assemble, and finish menu items accurately and consistently.
• Verify orders for accuracy before they move to the customer.
• Communicate product quality, equipment, or operational concerns to leadership promptly.
• Stay aware of incoming tickets and prioritize orders appropriately.
• Work with teammates across stations to keep orders moving efficiently.
• Communicate clearly during busy service periods to maintain speed and accuracy.
• Recognize when another station needs support and step in as needed.
• Stay focused and organized during high-volume periods.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, storage, labeling, and rotation procedures.
• Practice proper FIFO procedures.
• Maintain clean and safe workstations throughout the shift.
• Follow proper procedures for food handling, equipment use, and equipment cleaning.
• Help prevent cross-contamination by following Hometown food safety and sanitation standards.
• Follow portion control standards to minimize waste and protect food cost.
• Use ingredients and supplies responsibly and efficiently.
• Communicate low inventory, product quality concerns, or prep needs to leadership.
• Maintain awareness of station readiness and restock before products or supplies run out.
• Take pride in leaving each station clean, stocked, organized, and ready for the next teammate.
• Work closely with BOH and FOH teammates to keep service moving.
• Communicate clearly and professionally during prep and service.
• Proactively support teammates when additional help is needed.
• Bring a positive, respectful, and collaborative approach to every shift.
• Support Hometown's culture by learning our standards, helping others succeed, and bringing those values to life every day.

Benefits

• Employee Meal & Employee Discount Benefits
• Paid Breaks
• 401(k)
• Great Work-Life Balance — No late nights; our cafés close at 5 p.m.
• Paid Leave and Sick Leave
• Health Insurance offered to all regular full-time employees
• Growth and development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative team environment

What This Job Offers

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