Food Service Associate
Description

 

Bring the Energy. Serve Great Food. Make Someone’s Day!

Job Summary

As a Food Service Associate, you will help keep our customers fueled with fresh, delicious food and friendly service. You will prepare menu items, maintain attractive and well-stocked food displays, follow food-safety standards, and help keep the kitchen clean and organized.

This is a hands-on team position—not a supervisory role. If you enjoy staying active, helping customers, and being part of a fun, fast-paced kitchen, this may be the perfect fit for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Preparation and Service

  • Prepare food-service menu items according to recipes, build guides, portion standards, and presentation expectations.
  • Keep warmers and food displays stocked with fresh products throughout designated service hours.
  • Follow established cooking, holding, cooling, labeling, dating, and product-rotation procedures.
  • Monitor product quality and remove items that have exceeded their approved holding time.
  • Complete assigned prep lists and shift duties accurately and on time.
  • Help promote food sales by keeping displays clean, full, fresh, and inviting.
  • Learn current specials and confidently share them with customers.
  • Provide fast, friendly, and accurate customer service.
  • Assist customers with food orders and answer questions about available menu items.
  • Package food neatly and ensure every order is complete before it is given to the customer.
  • Reduce waste by following recipes, portion standards, and production guidelines.

Food Safety and Cleanliness

  • Follow all company, franchise, vendor, and state food-safety requirements.
  • Wash hands and change gloves as required.
  • Prevent cross-contamination by using approved food-handling procedures.
  • Monitor and record food and equipment temperatures as assigned.
  • Maintain clean and sanitary food-preparation areas, utensils, equipment, coolers, freezers, warmers, and displays.
  • Complete assigned daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks.
  • Keep floors clean, dry, and free from hazards.
  • Properly store food, chemicals, supplies, and personal belongings.
  • Obtain and maintain any food-safety certification required for the position.
  • Immediately report equipment problems, food-safety concerns, injuries, or unsafe conditions to the Store Manager or Kitchen Leader.

Teamwork

  • Work cooperatively with the Store Manager, Kitchen Leader, and fellow team members.
  • Follow directions and complete tasks assigned by management.
  • Communicate clearly with coworkers to ensure smooth shift transitions.
  • Help coworkers when needed and contribute to a positive, respectful workplace.
  • Be dependable, arrive on time, and be ready to work at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
  • Assist with shift coverage when available and approved by management.
  • Ask questions when instructions or expectations are unclear.
  • Help create a workplace where safety, teamwork, and a little fun are always on the menu!

Customer Service

  • Greet customers promptly and make them feel welcome.
  • Treat every customer with patience, courtesy, and respect.
  • Respond professionally to customer questions and concerns.
  • Refer complaints or situations requiring management assistance to the Store Manager or Kitchen Leader.
  • Maintain a clean, neat, and professional appearance.
  • Represent Farmers Co-op Oil Company positively in every customer interaction.
Requirements

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Friendly and customer-focused.
  • Dependable and punctual.
  • Able to follow recipes, written instructions, and food-safety procedures.
  • Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
  • Able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Able to communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, vendors, and management.
  • Able to perform basic arithmetic needed for food preparation, product counts, and customer transactions.
  • Willing to learn new menu items, equipment, and procedures.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Stand and walk for extended periods, potentially throughout a shift of up to 10 hours.
  • Frequently bend, kneel, reach, twist, and move between work areas.
  • Lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances.
  • Safely use kitchen utensils, food-service equipment, handheld devices, and cleaning tools.
  • Work around hot equipment, cold storage areas, food products, grease, cleaning supplies, and occasionally wet or slippery surfaces.
  • Read labels, recipes, safety instructions, equipment displays, and product information.
  • Communicate effectively with customers and team members.
  • Safely lift and move a fire extinguisher weighing approximately 25 pounds in an emergency.