Culinary Operations Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Important notes:

• Food Handler's Certification must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• This position involves operating a company vehicle or conducting deliveries. Our insurance provider requires drivers to meet specific eligibility criteria, which includes being at least 25 years of age. 
• Because our mission requires serving the community every day of the year, including major holidays, team members share holiday coverage on a scheduled rotation. 
• Previous restaurant experience preferred.

Position Summary

The Culinary Operations Associate plays an essential role in the daily operations of a high-volume, community-based nonprofit kitchen. Reporting to the Assistant Kitchen Manager, this position supports meal production, sanitation, food storage, delivery, and volunteer engagement. Culinary Operations Associate ensures the kitchen remains clean, organized, and efficient while contributing to the preparation and delivery of meals that uphold the organization’s mission of dignity, access, and nourishment.

Culinary Operations Associate is a foundational role that helps keep the kitchen running smoothly and safely. By assisting with prep, cleaning, storage, delivery, and volunteer readiness, this team member plays a critical part in delivering consistent, dignified food service to the community.

Core Responsibilities:

Food Preparation Assistance

• Support kitchen staff and volunteers with basic food prep tasks such as washing, peeling, chopping, portioning, and packaging ingredients as directed.
• Help set up prep stations with tools, PPE, and ingredients to support efficient workflow.
• Ensure all food is handled, stored, and prepared in accordance with safety and sanitation standards.
• Refill ingredients or supplies at workstations as needed to maintain production momentum.

Cleaning & Sanitation

• Perform dishwashing duties, including operating commercial dish machines and hand-washing cookware, utensils, and equipment.
• Maintain clean work areas throughout the shift, including floors, counters, sinks, and food contact surfaces.
• Follow assigned daily and weekly cleaning schedules, including deep cleaning tasks as directed by the Assistant Kitchen Manager.
• Use appropriate cleaning chemicals and sanitation procedures in accordance with food safety guidelines.
• Cleaning and sanitizing of any/all vehicles utilized by kitchen staff in the course of operations.

Food Storage & Delivery Support

• Receive, unbox, label, and store dry, refrigerated, and frozen food products in appropriate locations.
• Ensure storage areas are kept clean, organized, and in compliance with FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation standards.
• Deliver hot dinner meals to community partners and assist with lunch deliveries when volunteer drivers are unavailable, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and safe food handling.
• Accept and weigh incoming food donations, document totals accurately, and communicate updates to kitchen leads.
• Sort and stage donated food items for transfer to the warehouse based on type, storage requirements, and intended use.

Volunteer Support

• Assist in setting up volunteer prep stations with necessary supplies, tools, and ingredients.
• Provide friendly, clear guidance to volunteers under the supervision of the Assistant Kitchen Manager.
• Help restock volunteer snacks, drinks, and PPE, and maintain a clean and welcoming check-in space.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive volunteer experience by promoting teamwork, patience, encouragement, professionalism and mission connection throughout entirety of volunteer shift.
• Assist with stocking and maintaining the lunch window service area to support volunteers during to-go meal distribution; provide direct coverage of the lunch window when volunteers are unavailable.

General Kitchen Duties

• Maintain awareness of shift activities and regularly check in with the Assistant Kitchen Manager for next steps or new assignments.
• Assist with end-of-shift kitchen closing responsibilities, including final cleaning, organizing stations, and prepping for the following day.
• After completing hot meal deliveries, return to support remaining dinner service tasks such as plating, packaging, and final counts.
• Notify kitchen leads of any safety issues, low stock, equipment concerns, or workflow bottlenecks.
• Adjust to shifting kitchen priorities and take initiative to support team needs wherever possible.
• Support in maintenance of resource wall, kitchen garden, and any other area assigned by organization leadership

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation and Sick time
• Workers Comp
• Small Dollar community loan program
  
• 401k after 6 months of employment
• Opportunities for professional development