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

New Seasons Market began in 2000 as a neighborhood market, a place where local communities can come together to connect with where their food comes from. A friendly, inviting place that honors its region’s farmers, ranchers, growers and makers.

Today we are part of Good Food Holdings; a collection of regional specialty grocers committed to serving our communities with the highest quality of products and great service, where our goal remains the same: to build community through good food. Accordingly, we seek skilled team members who share the same commitments and who appreciate the fact that New Seasons Market celebrates diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Job Title: Store Chef
Department: Prepared Foods
Job Region: Oregon / SW Washington
Reports-To: Prepared Foods Manager
Exemption Status (typically): Non-Exempt
Union Represented: Yes, NSLU

Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year. Our in-store positions are likely to include evening, weekend, and holiday shifts per the needs of the business. Must complete and maintain any required food and work safety trainings/certifications.

About the role: Partners with Prepared Foods Manager to operate department, including financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions & operations, merchandising, food safety, work safety, communication, and delegation of tasks. Plans and oversees production of Prepared Foods products. Provides exceptional customer service and contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment.

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner by seeking opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Works a schedule that is informed by the needs of the business and may be subject to change seasonally or due to varying staffing needs and demonstrates reliable and predictable attendance, in accordance with attendance policy and all applicable laws.
• Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department and whole store as needed.
• Demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach to problems or concerns.
• Represents company values. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company “Speak Up & Listen” culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources. Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and values and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness, maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making in completing job-related tasks, in behaviors in the workplace, and in interactions with co-workers, customers, and the community.
• Consistently utilizes the DEI lens in work tasks and when working with other teams and stakeholders.
• Builds trust and respect through dependability, organization and follow through.
• Promotes a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example and working alongside staff. Demonstrates approachability and fosters open communication. Creates an environment where staff are invested and encouraged to contribute ideas. Demonstrates ability to adapt approach to different learning styles among staff. Reports any staff issues or conflicts to department manager, store leadership, and/or human resources.

Position Responsibilities:

• Partners with 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 in order to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Assesses and adjusts production needs based on business needs. Maintains production levels and updates production guide.
• Responds to quality, consistency and production issues, and reports them to Prepared Foods Manager.
• Ensures consistency of department conditions. Ensures all areas of department are stocked, rotated, faced and adhere to merchandising standards and category schematics.
• Partners with department manager to ensure satisfactory in-stock conditions in department. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
• Orders products and ingredients according to business needs. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve business goals.
• Implements plans for weekly ads, events and holidays.
• Maintains professional vendor relationships.
• Coordinates with 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 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 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 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 department manager to communicate product information and knowledge to staff.
• Demonstrates an awareness of trends in the industry.
• Ensures that department adheres to company invoice, credit, transfers and inventory procedures.
• Ensures department to 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, in order 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.
• Tools and Equipment Used (not all-inclusive): This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (blast chiller, robot coupe, blender, slicer, mixer, kitchen smallwares, kettle, pallet jack, knife, range, thermometer, dishwasher, scale, oven, grill, cart, computer, and office equipment) basic housekeeping / janitorial and standard office equipment.

• This position works at a * medium level. Requiredfrequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing, walking, bending, crouching, and stooping throughout shift. Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders.

• Frequently required to use hands and wrists for grabbing, twisting and pulling.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

*Medium means the worker can occasionally (1 – 33%) lift 50 pounds and can lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds frequently (34 – 66%).

What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Previous customer service, food service such as restaurants or catering, retail or grocery experience required.
• 3 + years food production, catering, or kitchen management required, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• 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. Experience in recipe costing, inventory and ordering systems a plus.
• 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.
• Financial acumen regarding sales and margin preferred.
• Skills to plan, prioritize and delegate work.
• Skills to train and coach staff.

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, depending on location may have stairs or elevators, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will offer reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

#IND4 : NSM

Benefits Information

All staff have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our 30% staff shopping discount. Full-time, regular-status staff that regularly work 24 hours or more per week and have worked for 60 days are eligible for medical, dental, vision, pre-tax spending accounts, life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), and disability benefits. Full-time, part-time, and temporary staff who have worked for 60 days and are at least 21 years of age may participate in the 401(k) program. Employees begin accruing PTO on their first day of employment; the amount they accrue depends on hours worked and tenure. Staff may be eligible for paid holidays, depending on schedule and tenure. Additional benefits include supplemental leave pay (such as parental or bereavement), a store incentive program based on financial & operational goals, paid time for volunteering at a 501(c)3 non-profit, discounts on some forms of public transportation, adoption assistance, and up to $40 reimbursement for dinner out or New Seasons Market groceries for their birthday.