Position Summary

This role is responsible for providing hands-on culinary leadership while actively performing cooking and food preparation duties and assisting with the daily operations of the Nutritional Services Department. The position ensures meals are prepared and served in accordance with established quality, production, safety, sanitation, and dietary standards, while following facility policies and procedures and applicable federal and state regulations. In addition to performing regular cook duties, this role provides leadership, direction, and support to Nutritional Services staff to promote consistent food quality, efficient production, safe food-handling practices, and positive experiences. The position also assists with monitoring departmental expenditures, food and supply costs, inventory levels, and equipment needs to support efficient and cost-effective department operations.

Key Accountabilities

• Establish and maintain standards and procedures for food preparation, standardized recipes, and menu execution to meet established standards of care and quality.
• Participate in meal planning and menu development, including consideration of client preferences, approved substitutions, therapeutic diets, and current foodservice and culinary practices.
• Develop and maintain staff work schedules to ensure adequate coverage for each shift and appropriate staffing to meet department and client needs.
• Inspect meals and food products to ensure standards for appearance, palatability, portion size, temperature, presentation, and serving times are consistently met.
• Ensure food is prepared according to approved menus, production schedules, standardized recipes, and established portion and quality standards.
• Perform hands-on cooking and food preparation duties, following standardized recipes and established preparation methods to ensure consistency, quality, and proper portion control.
• Ensure food is prepared, handled, served, and distributed in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with applicable food safety requirements.
• Ensure the safe receiving, storage, preparation, cooking, holding, service, and transportation of food.
• Apply HACCP principles and guidelines throughout all phases of food preparation, cooking, holding, service, and transportation to prevent foodborne illness and maintain food safety.
• Develop and maintain cleaning and sanitation schedules and ensure kitchen areas, food preparation areas, and equipment are properly cleaned, maintained, and sanitary.
• Ensure staff follow established sanitation, food safety, and workplace safety practices and provide direction and training as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and provide direction to kitchen staff, including effectively delegating assignments and monitoring staff performance.
• Proven hands-on cooking and food preparation experience, preferably in a healthcare, institutional, or commercial foodservice setting.
• Knowledge of food preparation techniques, standardized recipes, portion control, food quality, and safe food-handling practices.
• Current ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.
• Demonstrated ability to manage food and supply inventory, monitor usage, and place orders to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and maintain efficient kitchen operations.
• Basic to intermediate mathematical skills sufficient to perform measurements, recipe conversions, portion calculations, inventory counts, and other routine foodservice calculations.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills sufficient to use department systems, maintain records, communicate electronically, and perform routine administrative functions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, clients, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment while maintaining established standards for food quality, safety, sanitation, and service.

About Gothenburg Health

Gothenburg Health is a critical access hospital and clinics located in Gothenburg, Nebraska. This is an opportunity to join an innovative and positive work culture with a growing healthcare provider with unparalleled passion. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package for full-time employees that includes vacation and sick leave, extended illness, health insurance, paid life insurance, paid long term disability, and a defined contribution retirement plan with an employer match.

Apply now online to begin your journey with Gothenburg Health.