Cafeteria Cook: Scratch Kitchen & Campus Dining

Nova-Tech Engineering; Willmar (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting day one

Job summary

Nova-Tech Engineering’s cafeteria, Campus Crave, is open to the public for lunch Monday through Friday on the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, MN. We’re seeking a Cafeteria Cook who can prepare meals from scratch, ensure high food safety standards, and deliver exceptional service in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in kitchen or food service, experience with menu planning, inventory control, budgeting, and a ServSafe certification or ability to

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Prepare fresh, high-quality meals from scratch 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.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Food safety

Menu planning

Budget awareness

Inventory management

Cost control

Attention to detail

ServSafe certification

Tools

Kitchen equipment operation

Job description

Nova-Tech Engineering’s cafeteria, Campus Crave, is open to the public for lunch Monday through Friday on the MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar, MN. We’re seeking a Cafeteria Cook who can prepare meals from scratch, ensure high food safety standards, and deliver exceptional service in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in kitchen or food service, experience with menu planning, inventory control, budgeting, and a ServSafe certification or ability to