FOOD SERVICE LEAD

Food Service Shift Lead

CrossAmerica Partners is a leading wholesale distributor of motor fuels, operator of convenience stores, and owner and lessor of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels. With a geographic footprint across 34 states, we strive to be an industry leader, providing fuel and convenience products essential to keep people moving across America!

Position Description:

The Food Service Shift Lead will oversee daily operations of the food service area during their assigned shifts in our convenience store. The Shift Lead will play a critical role in ensuring efficient kitchen operations, maintaining food quality and safety, leading a team of kitchen staff, and delivering outstanding customer service. This position requires a strong leadership ability, food service expertise, and a commitment to operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Supervision:

• Lead and supervise a team of kitchen staff during your shift, ensuring all staff members adhere to food safety guidelines, maintain high-quality food standards, and deliver excellent customer service.
• Assign tasks and manage staff during peak periods, ensuring that food is prepared quickly and accurately while maintaining quality.
• Provide on-the-job training to new or less experienced team members, ensuring they understand food preparation techniques, safety procedures, and customer service expectations.
• Address and resolve any staff or customer issues promptly and professionally, escalating to the Food Service Manager or Store Manager as necessary.

Food Preparation & Quality Control:

• Oversee food preparation and cooking, ensuring that all items meet company standards for taste, quality, portion size, and appearance.
• Ensure compliance with all local health codes and food safety regulations, including monitoring food temperatures, proper handling of ingredients, and cleanliness of the kitchen and food prep areas.
• Monitor inventory levels during your shift, track usage, and report any shortages or needs for restocking to the Food Service Manager. Ensure proper rotation of stock (FIFO) to minimize waste and ensure freshness.

Customer Service Management:

• Ensure a positive customer experience by overseeing the speed, quality, and presentation of food served. Address customer inquiries or complaints and work with the team to resolve any issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Verify that food orders are prepared and served correctly, adhering to customer specifications and dietary restrictions.
• Ensure food is prepared and served in a timely manner, especially during peak hours. Assist in the preparation and delivery of orders when needed.

Operational Efficiency:

• Manage the flow of operations during your shift, ensuring smooth transitions between different workstations, proper staffing, and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Prioritize tasks effectively to ensure that food preparation, customer service, and cleaning duties are completed on time and without sacrificing quality or safety.
• Monitor and reduce food waste by properly managing portion sizes, controlling waste during food preparation, and ensuring all food products are used within their shelf life.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Complete shift reports detailing food sales, inventory usage, staff performance, and any operational issues that arose during your shift. Communicate this information to the Food Service Manager or Store Manager as needed.
• Assist with cash management during your shift, ensuring that transactions are accurately processed, and assist with closing duties if necessary.

Health & Safety Compliance:

• Ensure that the kitchen and food service areas meet all sanitation and health inspection requirements. Conduct routine checks for cleanliness and equipment functionality.
• Ensure staff are trained and compliant with safety protocols, including the proper use of kitchen equipment and handling hazardous materials (e.g., cleaning chemicals, hot surfaces).

Continuous Improvement:

• Provide regular feedback to team members on their performance, offering guidance on improvement and recognizing achievements.
• Identify opportunities for improving efficiency, customer service, or food quality and share suggestions with the Food Service Manager for further development

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; a degree or coursework in hospitality, culinary arts, or business management is a plus.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in a food service environment. Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations, kitchen equipment, and inventory management practices.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team, with a focus on creating a positive and productive work environment.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to give clear instructions to team members and engage with customers professionally.
• Ability to identify issues quickly and take appropriate action to resolve them, whether they involve staff, customers, or operational concerns.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy, fast-paced environment.
• A strong commitment to providing excellent customer service, ensuring that each customer leaves with a positive experience.
• Ability to maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness while balancing multiple priorities.
• Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain certification during training is preferred.
• ServSafe Certification or equivalent food safety certification is preferred but not required at the time of hire.

Reports To:

• Food Service Manager / Store Manager

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Be able to stand extended periods (up to 8 hours) during shifts.
• Capable of lifting boxes and products, maximum 50 lbs., frequently 10-25 lbs., and carrying items across the store.
• Ability to bend, squat, and reach for products on shelves, both high and low. Ability to climb a ladder as needed.
• Must be able to walk throughout the store and between departments regularly.
• Ability to handle cash, operate registers, and bag items efficiently.
• Must be comfortable with repetitive tasks such as scanning items, restocking, and organizing products.
• Able to work in cold environments, including freezers and refrigerators, when restocking products.
• The role requires mental focus and stamina to perform physical tasks consistently and efficiently throughout the shift.
• Exposure to varying kitchen temperatures (hot cooking surfaces and cold storage areas).
• Seasonal snow removal, as needed.
• Ability to handle emergency situations.
• Ability to work alone.

The physical requirements and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefit package for full-time team members that includes health insurance, vacation, holiday pay, 401K with employer match and more. Our part-time team members are eligible for 401k with employer match and paid holidays and may also be eligible for health insurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CrossAmerica Partners (or its subsidiaries and related entities) contract with employment service organizations to provide staffing for its retail operations. The employment service organizations are equal opportunity employers. For this position, the equal opportunity employer is Wildcat LLC. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

The employment service organizations with which CrossAmerica Partners contacts, including Wildcat LLC, make all employment decisions in accordance with applicable laws and provide reasonable accommodations to qualifying individuals on the basis of any protected characteristic consistent with applicable law. Wildcat LLC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Wildcat LLC also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to