Sprinly Fresh Food Kitchen Cook

Position Description:

Sprinly Fresh Food Kitchen Cook

Purpose for the Position:

The Fresh Food Kitchen Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and assembling high-quality food products in a USDA-regulated food manufacturing environment. This position follows standardized recipes, food safety regulations, sanitation procedures, and production schedules to ensure the consistent production of fresh, safe, and high-quality meals. The Cook supports operational efficiency while maintaining compliance with USDA, FDA, GMP, HACCP, and company food safety standards.

Essential Responsibilities:

Essential responsibilities are fundamental duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Food Preparation and Production

• Prepare ingredients, including washing, cutting, measuring, mixing, and portioning according to approved recipes and production specifications.
• Operate commercial kitchen equipment such as tilt skillet, ovens, steamers, mixers, slicers, and food processing equipment safely and efficiently.
• Cook food products according to established recipes, cook times, temperatures, and quality standards

Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor and document critical control points, cooking temperatures, and food safety records as required.
• Maintain compliance with USDA regulations, HACCP programs, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and sanitation requirements.
• Follow production schedules to meet daily manufacturing and customer order demands.

Quality Assurance

• Inspect ingredients and finished products for freshness, quality, and appearance.
• Ensure products meet established specifications, recipes, and presentation standards.
• Identify and report damaged, missing, expired, or non-conforming materials.
• Assist with corrective actions related to food safety and quality concerns.
• Perform quality checks on ingredients and finished products to ensure consistency and product integrity.
• Accurately complete production and food safety documentation.

Sanitation and Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment.
• Clean and sanitize equipment, utensils, workstations, and production areas according to established procedures.
• Follow chemical handling and sanitation guidelines.
• Dispose of waste and recyclable materials properly.
• Practice allergen control procedures and prevent cross-contamination.
• Participate in pre-operational inspections, sanitation activities, and food safety audits.

Teamwork and Productivity

• Work collaboratively with team members and leadership to meet production goals.
• Follow daily production schedules and complete assignments accurately and efficiently.
• Assist in reducing waste and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support business operations.
• Assist with inventory rotation utilizing First-In, First-Out (FIFO) procedures.
• Communicate equipment issues, food safety concerns, or quality deviations to supervision immediately.
• Assist in training new team members on food safety and production procedures.

Other Duties

• Perform related duties as assigned, consistent with organizational objectives and compliance requirements.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.

Experience

• Previous commercial kitchen, food production, food preparation, food service, warehouse, manufacturing, or related experience preferred.
• Strong knife skills and food preparation experience.
• Experience using a tilt skillet or tilt equipment is a plus.
• Experience working in a USDA-regulated food manufacturing environment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation principles.
• Ability to follow recipes, production instructions, and quality standards.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to maintain productivity while meeting quality expectations.
• Basic math skills for measuring, weighing, and portioning ingredients.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds periodically.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and perform repetitive movements.
• Ability to wear required PPE including hairnets, beard nets, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed in both office and USDA-inspected food manufacturing environments. The role includes exposure to cold environments, production noise, and food allergens. Must adhere to all hygiene, sanitation, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.