Store Chef - Union - AVAILABILITY REQUIRED 4AM TO 9:30PM

New Seasons Market•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Partners with the Prepared Foods Manager to operate the department, encompassing financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions and operations, merchandising, food safety, work safety, communication, and delegation of tasks. This role plans and oversees the production of Prepared Foods products, provides exceptional customer service, and contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment. The position requires working a schedule informed by business needs, which may change seasonally or due to varying staffing needs, and demonstrates reliable and predictable attendance. Tasks are shifted as priorities and circumstances change based on the needs of the department and the whole store. A solutions-oriented approach to problems and concerns is expected, along with representing company values and demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The role involves working cooperatively and positively with team members, customers, and vendors, fostering a respectful workplace. Giving and receiving feedback constructively, responding to feedback for performance improvement, and conserving company resources are key. Adherence to work and food safety policies, contributing to store cleanliness, maintaining equipment, and informing management of any problems are also essential. The Store Chef must observe all company rules and policies, understand and comply with specific department or location guidelines, and demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making. A DEI lens should be utilized in work tasks and interactions. Building trust and respect through dependability, organization, and follow-through is important. Promoting a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example, and working alongside staff, while demonstrating approachability and fostering open communication, is expected. Creating an environment where staff are invested and encouraged to contribute ideas, and adapting approaches to different learning styles among staff, are also part of the role. Any staff issues or conflicts should be reported to management or human resources.

Requirements

Previous customer service, food service (such as restaurants or catering), retail, or grocery experience required.
3+ years of food production, catering, or kitchen management required, preferably in a high-volume environment.
Previous ordering/inventory management experience required.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
Solid knife skills required.
Previous large batch food preparation or production experience required.
Familiarity with culinary terminology and techniques and industry standard equipment required.
Basic math and computation skills required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, with skills to learn new computer programs and systems.
Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time, and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality, and presentation.
Skills to read, understand, and follow through on verbal and written instructions and recipes.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
Experience in recipe costing, inventory and ordering systems a plus.
Financial acumen regarding sales and margin preferred.
Skills to plan, prioritize, and delegate work.
Skills to train and coach staff.

Responsibilities

Partners with the department manager to operate all areas of the department.
Prioritizes and delegates tasks and production.
Assists in training and coaching staff.
Plans and oversees production of Prepared Foods products.
Follows company-provided recipes and specifications to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Assesses and adjusts production needs based on business needs.
Maintains production levels and updates the production guide.
Responds to quality, consistency, and production issues, and reports them to the Prepared Foods Manager.
Ensures consistency of department conditions.
Ensures all areas of the department are stocked, rotated, faced, and adhere to merchandising standards and category schematics.
Partners with the department manager to ensure satisfactory in-stock conditions in the department.
Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
Orders products and ingredients according to business needs.
Implements plans for weekly ads, events, and holidays.
Maintains professional vendor relationships.
Coordinates with the Operations department to conduct in-store tastings.
Ensures customer special orders are accurately placed and delivered.
Receives and unloads merchandise; checks quality, count, and condition.
Communicates any issues to management and the merchandising team.
Stocks and rotates products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
Maintains the organization, rotation, and cleanliness of backstock areas.
Prepares food for all Prepared Foods stations and cases.
Works with attention to labeling, dating, storage, expiration dates, and food quality.
Works sauté line, grill, pizza oven, and other cook-to-order stations.
Processes customers’ made-to-order items accurately and expeditiously.
Assists customers with product selection, packaging, and labeling as needed.
Shares product knowledge with customers.
Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
Ensures department compliance with all company organic standards.
Demonstrates understanding of culinary terminology, equipment, techniques, units of weight, measurement, and volume, and skills to make accurate conversions for large-scale production.
Supports department manager and store leadership in completion of periodic inventory.
Demonstrates ability to multitask and manage own time.
Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency, and speed based on needs and conditions of the department and store.
Maintains excellent department conditions, including appearance, cleanliness, signage, and service levels.
Models friendly and attentive customer service and coaches staff to do the same.
Handles escalated difficult customer service situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer.
Trains and coaches staff to do the same.
Reads and understands merchandising information.
Partners with the department manager to develop and execute merchandising plans to promote peak seasonal/ad item/holiday products, drive sales, and create an optimal customer shopping experience.
Demonstrates excellent knowledge of products in the department and general understanding of culinary terminology, product labeling, and common dietary restrictions.
Shares product knowledge with customers and staff.
Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
Partners with the department manager to communicate product information and knowledge to staff.
Demonstrates an awareness of trends in the industry.
Ensures that the department adheres to company invoice, credit, transfers, and inventory procedures.
Ensures the department maintains appropriate, accurate, and organized inventory and backstock.
Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
Demonstrates creativity in merchandising and utilization of products, in accordance with program expectations, to increase sales and minimize waste.
Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
Supports effective communication systems within the department and store.
Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.