Food Preparation Associate

Food Preparation Associate

Starting Pay: $17.00/hour

Love food, working with people, and being part of a team that takes pride in doing things right? Join Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and help prepare and serve quality food and cheese products that our guests love.

As a Food Preparation Associate, you'll play an important role in preparing, packaging, and merchandising food products while providing great customer service and maintaining high standards for quality, cleanliness, and food safety.

Starting pay of $17.00/hour

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and company-paid life insurance

Opportunities for career growth and advancement

Work with Wisconsin cheese and specialty food products

Be part of a friendly, team-oriented environment

Join a cooperative organization that values employees, members, guests, and our community

The Food Preparation Associate prepares, packages, and merchandises food and cheese products while providing excellent customer service. This position supports daily retail operations by maintaining product quality, inventory, cleanliness, food safety, and an organized work environment.

Prepare and package sandwiches, pizzas, fried cheese curds, and other retail food products

Package cheese curds and complete cheese cut-and-wrap procedures

Label, date, store, and rotate products according to food safety standards

Maintain food preparation areas, equipment, and utensils in a clean and sanitary condition

Complete required food safety, temperature, sanitation, and production records

Monitor product quality, freshness, and inventory levels

Restock supplies and retail displays

Receive deliveries, verify shipments, and report discrepancies

Provide friendly, courteous customer service and respond to customer needs

Perform opening and closing procedures

Follow all food safety, sanitation, safety, and PPE requirements

Work independently and as part of a team to support daily operations

Certain duties, including food preparation and alcohol service, may be subject to minimum age requirements under federal and Wisconsin law. Employees who do not meet applicable age requirements will be assigned alternative duties consistent with applicable laws.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Positive attitude and strong attention to detail

Ability to work in a fast-paced food and retail environment

Ability to follow recipes, written and verbal instructions, and food safety procedures

Strong organizational and time management skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Good communication and customer service skills

Ability to maintain a clean and safe work environment

Food preparation, food service, grocery, retail, or customer service experience preferred

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Basic computer skills preferred

Ability to obtain required licenses and certifications, including a Wisconsin Responsible Beverage Server License and applicable food safety certifications

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods

Frequent use of hands and fingers for grasping, handling, and repetitive motions

Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds

Ability to bend, twist, reach, and perform repetitive motions

Ability to work in refrigerated and heated food preparation areas

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

This is an active retail food environment with frequent exposure to refrigerated and heated areas, commercial food preparation equipment, cleaning chemicals, and varying noise levels. Food safety, sanitation, safety procedures, and proper PPE are required.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Drug and alcohol screening

General background check

About Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

At Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, our team members are more than employees — you're family, and we want you to succeed. Our culture has contributed to the longevity of our team, with careers spanning 10, 20, and even 50 years.

Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes in producing our world-famous Cheese Curds, including natural and flavored varieties, as well as Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.