Purpose

To provide flexibility and support to the Café department, with a focus on Service Counter, Kitchen, and other daily operational job responsibilities. To assist with other general departmental needs as directed. To perform all functions relating to producing high-quality prepared foods and beverages in a quick, friendly, and efficient manner. To maintain fresh, full and appealing food service venues and retail displays. To provide exceptional customer service with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. To ensure that the department contributes to the financial best interest of the store while meeting health, safety, and quality standards and the Co-op’s Ends.

Responsibilities

• General
• Follow the Core Values as defined by EEFC’s Core Value statement.
• Provide exemplary customer service to both customers and staff.
• Accurately communicate what the Co-op is and the process for becoming a member.
• Familiarity with store layout, products, and services.
• Familiarity and understanding of emergency procedures.
• Stay up to date with current storewide and departmental communications, policies, notices, and logs.
• Abide by Co-op policies as delineated in the Employee Handbook.
• Willingness and ability to learn to meet the changing needs and requirements of the job.

Departmental – Maintenance, Sanitation, and Safety

• Wash dishes and utensils following established procedures in compliance with EEFC and health department regulations to ensure exceptional cleanliness.
• Maintain work and sales area in a clean, organized, and safe manner throughout the entire shift.
• Follow storage and labeling procedures in kitchen at all times per EEFC and health department standards.
• Follow all health and safety protocols as set forth by local, state and federal regulatory authorities, EEFC policies, and health code standards.
• Ensure accurate completion of daily cleaning tasks.
• Empty trash, recycling, and compost as needed throughout shift.
• Operate all equipment in a safe and appropriate manner. Advise Café Supervisor of equipment repair and replacement needs.
• Advise Café Managers or Supervisors of any supply needs.
• Safely use knives and other equipment following EEFC and Café policies.
• Assist with other maintenance tasks as directed by Café Managers or Supervisors.

Departmental -- Cafe Specialist

• Ensure that food quality, quantity, freshness, and presentation meet all Café standards.
• Open, operate, and close department and stations according to policies and procedures.
• Prioritize tasks to ensure sales floor is welcoming, abundant and clean.
• Stay up to date with storewide and department communications and engage appropriately.
• Stock and rotate display cases and sales floor in an aesthetically pleasing way to ensure the sense of abundance.
• Complete preparation, production, packaging, labeling, and cleaning tasks as laid out in the daily/weekly task lists and as directed.
• Actively participate in department and storewide promotions including sampling as directed.
• Ensure all department signs are accurate, in good condition, and appropriately placed.
• Collaborate with Café Managers and Supervisors daily to ensure all stations are covered during peak times and adjust priorities, production work and other tasks as needed.
• Assist with covering breaks, absences and vacations as directed by Supervisors.
• Assist in receiving, quality checking and putting away product shipments in a timely manner as directed.
• Assist Supervisors in placing orders as requested.
• Accurately and consistently complete all checklists, logs, and records to ensure good processes are maintained.
• Assist with other production, preparation or operational tasks as directed by Supervisors.
• Assist in welcoming and onboarding new staff as directed by Supervisors.
• Participate in regular inventories and cleaning projects.

Departmental -- Food Preparation, Production, Packaging and Merchandising

• Understand and practice safe food handling practices including maintaining appropriate time and temperature controls, preventing cross-contamination, maintaining excellent personal hygiene, and ensuring thorough cleaning and sanitizing protocols.
• Efficiently prepare all assigned food and beverage prep and production on basis of need.
• Ensure that production is done using correct measuring devices and all recipes are accurately followed.
• Help maintain recipes and production batch lists and report any discrepancies or inaccuracies.
• Maintain confidentiality of all Café recipes.
• Assist with maintaining accurate up-to-date records of cost of preparing products as directed by Supervisors.
• Pull expired or low-quality items and ensure the loss is accurately recorded.
• Accurately package, weigh, price, and label products in a neat and clean manner.
• Check Special Orders board at the beginning of each shift and ensure that correct prep and production are completed to fulfill orders.
• Coordinate with Café Supervisors and other shift coworkers to ensure all necessary food prep, production and operational tasks are completed for the shift.
• Maintain excellent and clear communications with Café and other department staff to assure smooth work flow and operations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Previous food service and customer service experience.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, customer-centric work environment.
• Must enjoy interacting with and serving the public.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to always be welcoming and inclusive and work to maintain a positive and productive environment.
• Professional appearance and behavior.
• Commitment to building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with all coworkers.
• Ability to maintain a positive, effective and efficient work environment.
• Ability to stay focused on work and complete tasks in a timely manner by prioritizing job responsibilities.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to consistently complete tasks at or above expected standards.
• Ability to work independently without supervision as well as within a team.
• Ability to follow instructions and procedures.
• Ability to learn basic knowledge of all products carried in the department.
• Ability to understand and communicate quality goals and ingredient information to customers.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Previous beverage, cooking, baking, or cheese experience in a retail setting
• Previous background and/or familiarity with natural foods
• Previous experience with vegetarian cooking
• Previous experience accommodating various dietary and health related restrictions
• Grocery/food service receiving experience
• Previous supervisory experience
• Servsafe or related safe food handling certification