Director

KITCHEN DIRECTOR

Location: Madison, WI 

Status: Salaried exempt, non-represented, full time

Supervision: Direct supervisory responsibility for all Production Kitchen employees

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 the Kitchen Director, you will manage and oversee all aspects of operation for our Offsite Production Kitchen. 

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

• Oversee all aspects of personnel management for the production kitchen team
• Oversee and be able to perform all kitchen production process and procedures, ensuring quality and efficiency
• Effectively manage and coordinate use of kitchen space and resources
• Oversee production task management
• Manage database for timely and effective recipe costing, production, and transfer of product to stores
• Collaborate with the Prepared Food Category Manager to monitor and assess production needs, to plan seasonal menu changes and regular promotions, and to ensure kitchen purchases follow purchasing standards and policies
• Ensure the HACCP plan is reviewed and up-to-date on an annual basis and communicated with all staff. 
• Eliminate unnecessary redundancies and overproduction to reduce waste
• Collaborate with the Purchasing team and General Manager to identify and develop opportunities for expanded programs
• Ensure that all food service locations are compliant with food code and regulatory standards
• Ensure nutritional and required allergy labels and product information are readily available for all produced products
• Collaborate with the IT Director, Director of Product, and Store Directors to design or procure adequate systems to manage and support logistics and inventory
• Manage department resources and daily operations 
• Develop and uphold performance standards for all department staff; write and deliver corrective action
• Hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate the Kitchen Managers and department teams 
• Schedule staff to best meet the needs of the department and the labor budget
• Ensure respectful and friendly service from the department to internal and external customers
• Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement Co-op goals.
• Develop and implement approved budgets
• Ensure the completion of timely and accurate department reports
• Stay up to date on industry trends
• Model supportive and participative leadership qualities, promote team building, and motivate staff to achieve their stated objectives
• Ensure that communications are clear, direct, and respectful. Use direct communication to resolve issues
• Ensure the integrity of WSGC’s stated values in decision-making and interactions with others 
• 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
• Keep sites orderly and clean
• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor

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

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in a production kitchen environment
• A minimum of 4 years of experience directly supervising staff, including all areas of personnel management
• Current ServSafe Manager Certification
• 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 directing operations of a production kitchen
• Prior culinary training or education
• PCQI Certification or similar 

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.

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

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in retail store management

• A minimum of 4 years of experience directly supervising staff, including all areas of personnel management

• Thorough knowledge of multiple departments in a grocery store or retail environment

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to present complex data sets to various audiences in an easily digestible manner

• Experience in budget planning and preparation, with a particular focus on operational efficiency

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to effectively collaborate with stakeholders with varying degrees of seniority, employee classifications, and lived experiences

• Excellent cross-functional project management skills, with the ability to build consensus and collaboration across reporting structures

• Strong commitment to the vision, values, and structure of the Co-op

• A desire to address complex issues collaboratively with the General Manager, Executive Leadership, and staff

• Ability to build teams and hold others accountable in a way that builds trust and commitment

• Demonstrated application of principles related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to adapt and evolve to changing workplace norms and conditions

• A positive attitude and collaborative spirit

• Outstanding customer service skills

• Willingness to be open, to learn and take on new responsibilities

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to handle multiple demands, set priorities, and adhere to deadlines

• Flexible schedule, available daytime, evening and weekend hours

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

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

• Prior experience as an assistant store director or department manager in a grocery setting

• Experience or knowledge in a co-operative organization

• Previous experience working with labor unions in a unionized environment

• Experience with the Paycom platform

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:

• 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

Work Environment:
Fast paced retail environment with food service equipment and coolers and in cold/hot working conditions (i.e. cooler or near heated surfaces). Other high to moderate noise including but not limited to computers, cash registers, paging, telephones, music and human voices.

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.

Salary : $64,000 - $80,000