DELI​/KITCHEN Specialist

Co-op specialists work closely with department managers to consistently meet the needs of shoppers in a fast-paced service environment. Specialists are department leads. They assist the manager in reaching sales and profit goals established for the department and monitor all established quality standards.

Deli / Kitchen Specialists are leaders in the department and report to the Kitchen Manager. They assist in leading / guiding the daily operations of the department. They demonstrate exceptional communication skills, support staff through training and problem solving, prioritize and delegate tasks, and assist monitoring adherence to company policies, customer service standards, food quality, and equipment operation and safety standards.

• $16.32 - $22.03/hour
• vacation and paid time off accrual
• free life insurance (at 30+ hours per week)
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3% match
• birthday and service anniversary recognition
• free company paid LTD

• Collaborate with department manager to guide daily operations within the department.
• Provide exceptional, prompt, and friendly service in person and over the phone.
• Calmly, courteously, and tactfully handle stressful situations and make a positive impression on staff and customers.
• Observe, adjust, and delegate tasks based on customer flow and department priorities.
• Work with Manager to achieve cost, margin, expense, and labor targets.
• Collaborate with the Manager to provide coaching, training, and skills development within the team.
• Support initiatives for improving department processes.
• Act as point person when Manager is not on shift during severe weather, shoplifting and disruptive situations, troubleshooting or correcting mechanical failure of department equipment, and communicating maintenance needs.
• Comply with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions; report all safety risks to store management (ex: items in need of repair, customer or employee accidents, safety risks or issues including robbery, theft, or fraud).
• Gain and maintain knowledge of cooperative ownership and business model practices.
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the store and be able to respond to questions and make suggestions about products.
• Stay current with present, future, seasonal and special promotions, and ads.
• Willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Reports to work as scheduled and on time.
• Prepare hot and ready-made foods according to department recipes, procedures, and portions maintaining and demonstrating the quality standards of the department.
• Train staff onday to day duties, department recipes and procedures, and maintaining the quality standards of the department.
• Serve and assist customers, explain products, ingredients, flavor, taste, and preparation.
• Support training for Safe Food Handling practices and safe equipment use including knives, fryers, ovens, and production equipment.
• Place and receive orders of ingredients and supplies.
• Ensures that all production, inventory, and prep are properly stored, labeled, and rotated.
• Assist with management of kitchen inventory and ensuring supplies are fresh and high quality.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with vendors.
• Efficiently and accurately receive, record, code, and track invoices.
• Ensure department staff maintain a neat and clean department, including coolers backstock and other storage spaces.

• Work requires standing/walking for 90% of a shift.
• Work requires the following motions: lifting to 50 lbs., bending, twisting, squatting and reaching; hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning solutions, safely use sharp tools, and carefully operate all production equipment.

All co-op staff are expected to model and demonstrate the co-op's values of hospitality, inclusion, and accountability.

• Past work record reflects dependability and integrity.
• Availability of 35+ hours/week
• Flexibility of schedule to adapt and respond to the needs of the department.
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Proven ability to follow through on commitments, prioritize and reprioritize as necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team…