Description

Kitchen Operations Manager

Location: Madison, WI -

Status: Salary, Exempt, Full time, non-represented

Supervision: Indirect supervisory responsibility

Our Mission: Willy Street Co-op is different from other grocery stores. We are proud to have a socially and environmentally responsible presence and make efforts to support local community non-profits and programs that involve food, nutrition and well-being, sustainable agriculture, cooperative education and social change. We’re a group of employees who care about not only what we do but how we do it.

About the Role: As a Kitchen Operations Manager, you will have the opportunity to support strategic leadership for the kitchen by working with the Kitchen Director to implement long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies. To ensure the highest level of service possible to Willy Street Co-op’s internal and external customers. To manage and oversee all Kitchen operations. To ensure the highest quality of kitchen products and services. To oversee the personnel management of the Kitchen team.

Who You Are: You have a love for all things food and for using the best ingredients possible, and you’re skilled in overseeing a production kitchen environment. You’re passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.

What You’ll Do: You will support efforts in ensuring smooth and efficient operations of the Co-op’s food service programs, services, and production facilities. You will work with the Kitchen Director to execute the vision and plan for the Prepared Food program. In addition, you’ll collaborate with others to support the following areas:

• Assist to hire, train, supervise, coach, schedule, and evaluate staff.

• Ensure staff are meeting performance standards. Document and address any instances requiring corrective action.

• Assist with managing resources.

• Schedule staff according to weekly labor budget and quarterly cost of labor.

• Ensure respectful and friendly service from all kitchen staff.

• Ensure a strong management presence in Kitchen at all times.

• Ensure smooth flow of operations on a day-to-day basis

• Enforce Co-op policies and procedures.

• Participate in regular inventories.

• Ensure adherence by staff to established customer service standards.

• Work with the Kitchen Director to develop and implement short and long-range department goals and plans.

• Implement approved budgets and meet sales objectives leading to positive operating results.

• Complete timely and accurate department reports.

• Stay up to date on industry trends.

• Ensure all department equipment is well-maintained.

• Implement approved safety and sanitation programs in the department.

• Monitor and maintain department supplies.

• Organize quarterly department inventory, cooler cleanings and department meetings.

• Perform Kitchen Director’s duties in their absence.

• Treat people fairly, consistently and with respect.

• Abide by all co-op policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and other company documents.

• Participate in required training and meetings.

• Keep the kitchen orderly and clean.

• Maintain a positive attitude.

• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

What You Bring: This role requires the following education, experience, skills and abilities:

• A minimum of 1 years of experience in a production kitchen environment

• A minimum of 2 years of experience directly supervising staff, including all areas of personnel management

• Knowledge of HACCP, ServSafe, and other food safety regulations and programs

• A positive attitude and collaborative spirit

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks and excellent attention to detail

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

• Effective communication skills in English

Nice-to-Haves: It’s a bonus if you have one or more of the following:

• Previous experience managing a production kitchen

• Prior culinary training or education

What You’ll Get: Willy Street Co-op is one of Madison’s best-kept secrets in terms of a great place to work. As part of a full benefits package, we offer flexible schedules and great co-workers, along with the following:

• Amazing health insurance benefits with low deductibles and out of pocket maximums (for full-time employees)

• Employer-paid dental and life insurance benefits (for full-time employees)

• Voluntary benefit plans, including vision and disability coverage (for full-time employees)

• Paid Time Off

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match

• Employee discount at our stores, wellness coupons, bike-to-work reimbursement, and much more!

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

• Standing, walking, bending, and reaching

• Using hands or fingers to handle or feel

• Specific vision ability: close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and adjust to focus

• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds at times

Work Environment: Fast paced kitchen production environment with machines and equipment and in cold/hot working conditions (i.e. cooler or near stove). Other moderate noise including but not limited to computers, paging, telephones and human voices. Office setting with enclosed offices, cubicles and some meeting spaces. Moderate temperatures with noise including but not limited to computers, paging, phones, human voices, file cabinets, printers and key card beep.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE: The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or the work environment change.