Culinary Associate
Job Type
Full-time
Description

  

- IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOB -

A.K.A. YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION

  

JOB TITLE:

Culinary Associate


EFFECTIVE DATE:

5/28/2024

 

DEPARTMENT:

Prepared Foods


FLSA STATUS:

Nonexempt

 

REPORTS TO:

Prepared Foods Manager


TYPE:

Full-Time

          

WHO ARE WE?

The Woodstock Farmers’ Market is the area’s premier year-round, fresh food-focused grocery store. We are committed to creating and selling the best products sourced locally and globally, ethically, and sustainably. We hire only the most service-oriented people who appreciate a fun, fair, drama-free workplace, and share our CORE VALUES:

· Come with an empty cup: have humility

· Sit at the table together: be collaborative

· Do the right thing—always: be honest, accountable and have integrity

· Always hungry: relentlessly get stuff done

· Fish Cakes: think outside the box to creatively solve problems

· Bright side: always be positive

IN SUMMARY

To prepare delicious, beautiful food utilizing as many local products as possible and incorporating as many products transferred to the kitchen from other departments as possible. We make bountiful and beautiful creative food from scratch, offering new items as well as long-time Market favorites. By working as a team, we provide great service to our guests and each other. 


OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE!

· Must be able to take direction easily plus read and execute recipes accurately 

· Entrée prep 

· Salad prep 

· Preparation of our signature sauces and dips 

· Catering prep (around holidays) 

· Pitching in wherever needed around the kitchen, including the sandwich station 

· Checking in orders and putting them away 

· Maintaining cleanliness, sanitation and safety of the kitchen 

· Stocking the prepared food cases 

As is more often than not the case, keep in mind that "of utmost importance” describes the general nature and level of work performed in your job. They should not be construed as an exhaustive listing of all job duties and responsibilities by employees so classified.


OF COURSE THERE ARE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Requires work with others in a group or team, external customers, face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams.


WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

EMBODY OUR CORE VALUES

Know and embody WFM’s six Core Values: Come with an empty cup (have humility), Sit at the table together (collaborate), Always hungry (relentlessly get stuff done), Fish Cakes (use creative problem solving), Do the Right Thing (have integrity, be honest, be accountable), and Brighter Side (find the silver lining). ? 

BE CALM UNDER PRESSURE  

Focus on the issue at hand | Provide staff and guests with great service | Make multiple decisions in the heat of the moment | Resolve conflicts with diplomacy? 

BE COLLABORATIVE  

Appreciate other’s ideas | Enjoy listening and engaging with others in order to make final decisions | Put team before self | Work successfully within a team |Direct small teams | Must understand the total Market picture: Service is what we do and without great service we are nothing ??? 

BE FAST  

Quick thinking in a fast-paced environment |Love a high-volume buzzing work environment? 

BE A FINANCIAL WHIZ  

Have a love of numbers and strong math skills |Have a strong grasp of financials 

BE A STRONG COMMUNICATOR  

Listen more, talk less | Seek first to understand | Clearly articulate and set directions | Catch them “doing it right” | Give positive and constructive feedback | Lean in to difficult conversations, don’t avoid them | Turn difficult conversations into a “win” for the Market? 

BE A SRONG TIME MANAGER?  

Meet tight deadlines | Expect others to meet their deadlines? 

BE ORGANIZED AND DETAIL ORIENTED  

Prioritize projects and keep them moving forward | Delegate to others, as appropriate |?Make small things count | Catch errors and/or mistakes early on | Triple check your work | Observe, ask questions?? 

BE A TOP-NOTCH PLANNER  

Strong Day Planning and Long-Range Planning Skills | Understand daily and weekly task lists | Task prioritization skills | Ability to anticipate busy and slow times  

BE AN OUTSTANDING MODEL FOR SANITATION 

Maintain highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation in kitchen and storage areas?| Run a clean, tidy and safe work environment | Be extremely sensitive about cleaning and food safety issues in all areas 

BE A GENUINE LOVER OF GREAT FOOD 

Enjoy making great Market-style food and/or merchandising great Market-style food | Have an eye for and create beautiful displays | Make great decisions regarding quality  

BE AN EXCELLENT PROVIDER OF SERVICE

Have a genuine love of providing great service to others | actively look for ways to help others while enjoying it

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE

Must be 18 or older

3+ years’ work experience in busy commercial kitchen helpful

Good knife skills, dexterity, speed and ability to move efficiently in crowded space

WHAT’S NICE TO HAVE

The more experience, the better!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO DO BE ABLE TO DO – with or without an accommodation

Frequently raise or lower objects up to 40 pounds from one level to another regularly |Remain on feet in upright position for continuous periods of time |Walk throughout store, including to other buildings and outdoor areas | Exerting force on a regular basis so object is moved to or from team member | Carrying objects up to 40 pounds on a regular basis | Grasping and/or picking up objects | Regularly reaching for objects | Bending forward by bending at waist or bending legs and spine

WHAT THE WORK ENVIRONMENT IS LIKE

It is tight! Not quite being packed in like sardines, but pretty close sometimes. Our kitchen is small but mighty! A creative tact for overcoming space and equipment restraints will be one of your most-utilized tools.  It may be necessary to step outside depending on the task at hand or walk between buildings. Be prepared for all weather conditions. That means from time to time you will need a raincoat, warm outerwear, boots, and an appreciation of Vermont’s beautiful and changing weather!

MAINTAINING A CLEAN & SANITARY WORK ENVIRONMENT

Follow all safety and health protocols | Housekeeping is important | Tidy up your workspace regularly | Wipe down frequently touched surfaces | Pick up items on the floor that could be trip/fall hazards.

MORE ABOUT YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION

It is not a contract of employment | Employment remains at will | Performing all or some of the job to expectation is not a promise or guarantee of continued employment |Any responsibilities can be temporarily or permanently changed or modified at any time in the Market’s sole discretion, with or without prior notice to our staff | Changes may be made with or without being in writing | Employees may be required to perform other jobs for The Market even if not within this job or this department | This describes the general nature and level of work performed in this job | Understand this should not be construed as an exhaustive listing of all job duties and responsibilities of employees so classified.

  


Requirements

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE

Must be 16 years or older

1+ years’ experience in a busy commercial kitchen

Good knife skills, dexterity, creativity, initiative, and versatility, as well as speed and the ability to move efficiently in tight spaces 

WHAT’S NICE TO HAVE

The more experience the better!

Attention to detail

Clean work habits

A cheerful demeanor

Salary Description
20-22