Back of House Specialist

LOVESTRUCK BOOKS LLC; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance, and

Paid Time Off (PTO), sick leave, and

Significant employee discount on books

Monthly Travel Reimbursement of $50.00

Professional development, bookstore

Access to ARCs, ALCs, author signings

Job summary

Lovestruck Books & Cafe in Cambridge, MA seeks a Back of House Specialist to anchor kitchen operations, manage prep, inventory, and sanitation with independence during shifts. You’ll work closely with baristas and bartenders to keep workflows efficient and consistent with our standards.

Role is full-time, non-exempt, onsite in Harvard Square. Wage ranges from $20.00 to $25.00 per hour depending on experience, with store discounts, development opportunities, and a vibrant literary community as

Qualifications

• 2+ years professional culinary/prep experience.
• Strong culinary fundamentals, recipe scaling, knife skills.
• Reliable, time management, independent work.
• Active Allergen Safety Certification and ServSafe certification or willingness.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for 8 hours.

Responsibilities

• Food prep, batch mixing, mise en place and dishwashing.
• Maintain sanitation and adhere to Cambridge Health Department standards.
• Inventory management, check deliveries and organize stock.
• Collaborate to improve kitchen workflows and ticket timing.
• Ensure allergen awareness and safe food handling.
• Plan daily prep schedules for store programs and events.

Skills

Culinary prep

Time management

Independent worker

Allergen awareness

Food safety certification

Job description

Description

About Lovestruck Books & Cafe

Lovestruck Books & Cafe is a vibrant community hub where the love of literature meets the art of hospitality. With our bar and cafe, we offer a fully integrated experience where specialty coffee, craft cocktails, culinary treats, and books all live under one roof. Whether guests are stopping in for a morning pastry and latte, browsing for a new book, attending an author event, or enjoying an evening cocktail on the patio, they are entering a space where the heartbeat of the community is always present. We take genuine pride in craft, consistency, and hospitality to support our growing neighborhood destination.

Role Snapshot

The Back of House (BOH) Specialist anchors our kitchen operations, managing daily culinary preparation, station organization, cooking, and inventory flow under the direction and guidance of management. As an experienced and highly reliable professional, this role is responsible for scratch batch mixing, food prep, mise en place, dishwashing, sanitation, and stepping in for line prep during peak customer periods. Because you will frequently operate as our sole BOH team member on shift, this position requires an independent self-starter who works with urgency, precision, and minimal direct oversight, while actively collaborating with management, baristas, and bartenders to help establish and refine efficient kitchen workflows, prep systems, and daily communication loops.

Key Responsibilities

Food Prep, Cooking & Recipe Consistency

• Scale, measure, and mix house-made batch recipes (such as savory spreads, dressings, compound butters, specialty syrups, infusions, and baked goods) adhering strictly to standard operating procedures.
• Execute cooking and food prep to exact specifications, ensuring menu components and bases are prepped and held at proper temperatures.
• Wash, chop, portion, weigh, slice, and package culinary components and garnishes so stations are fully stocked and prepped for service.
• Step in during peak periods to execute line prep and prepare guest food orders with speed, care, and exact recipe adherence.
• Taste and inspect batches and dishes for seasoning, texture, and appearance, guaranteeing strict consistency from day to day.

Dishwashing, Sanitation & Kitchen Stewardship

• Keep the dishwashing station moving efficiently throughout the shift, washing, sanitizing, and putting away prep tools, wares, bar glassware, and utensils.
• Maintain clean, sanitized prep surfaces, cutting boards, sinks, and equipment in strict compliance with Cambridge Health Department standards.
• Perform daily routine cleaning of kitchen equipment, prep areas, and refrigeration while actively managing trash, recycling, and compost removal.
• Enforce strict First In, First Out (FIFO) rotation, ensuring all ingredients and prepped items are covered, dated, labeled, and rotated properly.

Inventory Management, Advising & Receiving

• Conduct regular physical inventory counts of culinary items, fresh produce, dry goods, dairy, and packaging supplies.
• Track prep consumption and waste logs, actively advising management on ordering needs and pars to avoid shortages and minimize spoilage.
• Check in deliveries for freshness, accuracy, and temperature safety, organizing stock into dry storage, coolers, and freezers.

Operational Collaboration & Food Safety

• Collaborate with management and counter staff to help build, test, and improve kitchen workflows, prep lists, and ticket timing.
• Communicate clearly and promptly with baristas, bartenders, and supervisors to maintain smooth order flow during rushes.
• Uphold rigorous allergen awareness and sanitation protocols to prevent cross-contact and ensure safe food handling for all guests.
• Plan daily prep schedules to support special store programming, author readings, and seasonal menu transitions.

Schedule & Compensation

• Role Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt; onsite in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
• Wage: $20.00 - 25.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• Benefits: Store discounts, professional development opportunities, access to free Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) and a vibrant literary community.
• Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, vision insurance, and long term disability.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Significant employee discount on books, cafe items, and merchandise.
• Monthly Travel Reimbursement of $50.00.
• Professional development, bookstore leadership training, and industry conference opportunities.
• Access to Advance Reader Copies (ARCs), Advanced Listener Copies (ALCs), author signings, and a vibrant literary community.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Lovestruck Books, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace and enhances our ability to serve our community. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, and educational background. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

• 2+ years of professional culinary, prep, commissary, or bakery experience. This is not an entry-level position; prior experience working independently on a prep list is required.
• Strong culinary fundamentals, including accurate recipe scaling, knife skills, food assembly, and basic cooking techniques.
• Exceptional reliability, time management, and comfort working independently with minimal supervision.
• A collaborative spirit and willingness to help design, test, and adapt kitchen prep systems alongside management and Front of House teams.
• Active Allergen Safety Certification and ServSafe Food Handler or Manager certification (or willingness to obtain both upon hire).
• Ability to stand and move continuously for an 8-hour shift, lift and carry up to 50 lbs, and work efficiently in a compact kitchen.