Cafeteria Cook

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce; Willmar (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid time off

Benefits from day one

Job summary

Nova-Tech Engineering is seeking a Cook to craft meals from scratch in a fast-paced campus cafeteria on MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, MN. The role emphasizes high quality, consistency, cleanliness, and customer service for lunch service open to the public.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in food service, with strong budgeting, menu planning, and ServSafe certification. Join a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of commercial kitchen, cafeteria, restaurant, catering, or food service experience.
• Experience in menu planning, inventory control, and budgeting.
• ServSafe certification required, or ability to obtain within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Prepare fresh, high-quality meals from scratch with consistency and flavor.
• Plan and prepare daily menus, ensuring nutritious and appealing options.
• Support food cost control through planning, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Prepare and fulfill catering orders for meetings and events.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary kitchen following food safety regulations.

Skills

Food safety

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Budgeting

Menu planning

Inventory control

ServSafe certification

Job description

Pay Range: $22 - $25/Hour

Who is Nova-Tech Engineering?

Headquartered in Willmar, MN, Nova-Tech Engineering is a growing, dynamic company founded in 1992 that began as one person’s passion to benefit the agricultural industry. Through innovative process automation technology, the company engineers and manufactures products that serve over 500 commercial poultry hatcheries in over 65 countries worldwide.

Nova-Tech houses every aspect of its business on the MinnWest Technology Campus, including a manufacturing facility located just steps away from our engineering and drafting teams. Walking from building to building, you can observe our whole process, from concept to final product.

What We’re Looking For

• Prepare fresh, high-quality meals from scratch whenever possible while maintaining consistency, presentation, and flavor.
• Plan and prepare daily menu offerings that are nutritious, appealing, and responsive to customer preferences.
• Help manage food costs through thoughtful menu planning, portion control, waste reduction, and cost-to-plate awareness.
• Prepare and fulfill catering orders for meetings and company events.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen while following all food safety regulations and company standards.
• Order, receive, and organize food and kitchen supplies to support daily operations.
• Ensure food stations remain stocked and ready throughout service while providing an excellent customer experience.
• Monitor kitchen operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend ideas that enhance quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Safely operate and maintain commercial kitchen equipment.
• Support front-of-house operations by assisting with cashier duties and customer service as needed.
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with others to support daily food service operations.
• Demonstrate a commitment to cleanliness, food safety, continuous improvement, and the overall employee dining experience.

What You’ll Do

At Nova-Tech Engineering, we're looking for a Cook who is passionate about cooking from scratch, takes pride in delivering exceptional food, and enjoys serving others in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Our cafeteria is open to the public serving lunch Monday - Friday and is located on the MinnWest Campus. Campus Crave is more than a cafeteria. It's a place where employees gather, recharge, and connect. As our Cook, you'll play an important role in creating a positive dining experience by preparing delicious meals, maintaining high food safety standards, and helping ensure every customer receives outstanding service. We believe in building on people's strengths. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and creating an exceptional experience for both our employees and customers.

Other Key Areas Include

• 3+ years of commercial kitchen, cafeteria, restaurant, catering, or food service experience.
• Experience in menu planning, inventory control, and budgeting.
• A customer-focused mindset with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally and work collaboratively with employees, vendors, and guests.
• ServSafe certification required, or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Ability to understand and apply food service budget principles, including food costs, cost-to-plate, portion control, inventory levels, waste reduction, and identifying cost‑saving opportunities.

Our location:

In 2005, Nova-Tech partnered with Life-Science Innovations to buy a 37‑building, 110‑acre historic hospital facility in Willmar from the State of Minnesota. Since that time, we have developed the resulting MinnWest Technology Campus into the largest privately owned technology park in the country. Willmar, MN is a bustling community located less than two hours from Minneapolis and one hour from St. Cloud known for its lakes and vibrant entertainment.

Things to check out: Willmar Stingers, Willmar WarHawks, Little Crow Ski Team, Green Lake and boat cruises, Glacial Lakes State Trail, Dorothy A. Olson Aquatic Center, The Barn Theatre, Sibley State Park, Robbins Island, Destination Playground, YMCA, Ridgewater College, area golf courses and simulators, local breweries, restaurants, and shopping.

Why join our team?

Nova-Tech Engineering offers a flexible, collaborative, and productive work environment focusing on culture and strengths. We’ve worked hard to create our unique culture and seek team members who match our core values so we can continue to create revolutionary solutions that forever change industries and enhance quality of life. The MinnWest Technology Campus offers a wide array of on‑site amenities including a cafeteria, pool, fitness center, gymnasium, meeting spaces, daycare center, and more! We offer competitive wages with generous paid time off and benefits starting day one! Learn more at www.nteglobal.com.