Position Title: Sous Chef - Buyer
Department: Prepared Foods
Supervisory Responsibility: Not responsible for supervising others.
Reports To: Prepared Foods Manager
Region: Oregon/SW Washington
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
Position Description: Assists with the coordination and execution of the production of Prepared Foods products, including ordering and inventory control. Provides exceptional customer service and contributes to a positive and collaborative team environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
General
- Contributes to a positive and supportive work environment.
- Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information and assists in locating product throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
- Adapts service based on customer needs, handles difficult customer situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer.
- Demonstrates an adaptable and flexible work style, shifting tasks as priorities and circumstances change.
- Demonstrates ability to multi-task and manage own time. Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency and speed based on needs and conditions of department.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as cooperatively within a team.
- Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
- Understands and follows through on verbal and written directions.
- Speaks up. Shares ideas and feedback that contributes to success of store and company.
- Conserves company resources. Works in a manner consistent with company Vision, Mission and Values and sustainability program.
- Observes all company rules and policies.
- Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
Position Specific Functions
- Orders Prepared Foods products and ingredients according to anticipated sales and seasonal needs. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
- Guides the work of cooks and prep cook/dishwashers, including planning and assigning work, ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity.
- Maintains awareness of current ads, promotions, holidays and events and adjusts orders accordingly. Assists Store Chef with planning production using tools and reports.
- Works sauté line, grill, pizza oven and other cook to order stations.
- Assists Store Chef with the planning and execution of the production of Prepared Foods products. Follows company provided recipes and specifications in order to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Partners with Store Chef to assess and adjust production needs based on sales. Maintains production levels and updates production guide.
- Responds to quality, consistency and production issues, and reports them to Store Chef.
- Ensures department compliance with all company organic standards.
- Participates in strategic planning meetings with management team including seasonal menu changes and holiday planning.
- Completes customer special orders thoroughly and provides follow-through as needed.
- 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 back stock areas.
- Prepares food for all Prepared Foods stations and cases.
- Works with attention to labeling, dating, storage, expiration dates and food quality.
- Processes customers’ made-to-order items accurately and expeditiously.
- Assists customers with product selection. Shares product knowledge with customers. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
- Demonstrates understanding of culinary terminology, equipment, techniques, units of weight, measurement and volume, and skills to make accurate conversions for large scale production.
- Maintains professional vendor relationships.
- Follows company procedures for processing invoices, transfers and credits.
- Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
- May participate in inventories.
- Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
- Notifies department manager or Manager On Duty of any situations relating to customer service, safety, productivity, security or any other situation that may have an adverse effect on the store.
Required Permits and Licenses: Food Handler’s card and ServSafe certification
Facilities, Sanitation, Work Safety and Food Safety
- Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and regulatory agencies.
- Performs janitorial tasks in compliance with sanitation standards established by store policy and state and local health departments. Contributes to store cleanliness.
- Maintains equipment, informs store/department management of any problems.
- Reports all safety concerns and work related injuries to management.
- Frequent handwashing is required.
Tools and Equipment Used
This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: blast chiller, robot coupe, blender, slicer, mixer, kitchen smallwares, kettle, pallet jack, knife, range, thermometer, dishwasher, scale, oven, grill, hand truck, cart, baler, computer, and office equipment
Position Requirements
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
Qualifications and Experience
- 2 + years of food production, kitchen or catering experience required. Experience in a high volume environment preferred.
- Prior retail, customer service and / or food industry experience highly preferred.
- Previous supervisory experience preferred.
- Friendly and customer service oriented, with a demonstrated knowledge of culinary terminology and techniques and industry standard equipment required.
- Previous ordering/inventory management experience required.
- Solid knife skills required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, with skills to learn new computer programs and systems.
- Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
- Skills to collaborate and communicate effectively and professionally in a team environment and one on one with coworkers, supervisors and customers.
- Basic math and computation skills required.
Physical Requirements
- Medium work level
- Continuously required to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Sitting seldom required.
- Continuously required to: lift and carry 1-10 pounds; use arms, hands and wrists; grasping/squeezing; reach at/above shoulder; reach below shoulder
- Frequently required to: lift and carry 11-20 pounds; bend/stoop; twist
- Occasionally required to: lift and carry 21-50 pounds; push and/or pull 1-40 pounds; crouch/squat
- Frequency of climbing stairs and ladders dependent on location
Work Environment
- Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler, freezer, and kitchen.
- There may be exposure to dust, mold, gluten, fragrances and other fumes and airborne particles, fresh fruits, vegetables, house plants, and flowers.
- Work requires use of and working in proximity to common commercial cleaning agents.
- This position works on or around moving machinery or moving parts; may include vibration.
Important Notice: The job duties, responsibilities, requirements and conditions, physical requirements and work environment listed in this job description are examples of the tasks that a staff member may be required to perform and may vary slightly based on location. New Seasons Market reserves the right to revise the job description at any time and to require staff members to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of business change.
