Cook - AVAILABILITY REQUIRED 6AM TO 9PM

New Seasons Market; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

New Seasons Market is seeking a Cook in the Prepared Foods department in Oregon. The role supports high-volume kitchen operations, prepares foods for multiple stations, and emphasizes friendly customer service in a fast-paced grocery setting.

The candidate should have cooking experience, enjoy team collaboration, and be comfortable working evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by store needs. This position offers hands-on food preparation with opportunities for skill development.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service, food service, or grocery environments.
• Food preparation and cooking experience required, preferably in a high-volume setting.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food for all Prepared Foods stations following recipes and specs.
• Maintain labeling, dating, storage and food quality.
• Operate sauté, grill, pizza oven and other cook-to-order stations.
• Stock and maintain cases and stations; assist customers with selections.
• Ensure cleanliness and comply with safety and sanitation policies.

Skills

Customer service

Food service

Cooking

High-volume production

Job description

Job Title: Cook
Department: Prepared Foods
Job Region: Oregon / SW Washington
Reports-To: Prepared Foods Manager
Exemption Status (typically): Non-Exempt
Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year. Our in-store positions are likely to include evening, weekend, and holiday shifts per the needs of the business. Must complete and maintain any required food and work safety trainings/certifications.

About the role:

Prepares food in a high-volume production environment. Provides exceptional customer service and contributes to a positive and collaborative team environment.

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner by seeking opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Works a schedule that is informed by the needs of the business and may be subject to change seasonally or due to varying staffing needs and demonstrates reliable and predictable attendance, in accordance with attendance policy and all applicable laws.
• Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department and whole store as needed.
• Demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach to problems or concerns.
• Represents company values. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company “Speak Up & Listen” culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources.Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and values and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness, maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making in completing job-related tasks, in behaviors in the workplace, and in interactions with co-workers, customers, and the community.
• Consistently utilizes the DEI lens in work tasks and when working with other teams and stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities:

• Prepares kitchen for store opening and closing.
• Prepares food for all Prepared Foods stations and cases. Follows company provided recipes and specifications in order to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Works with attention to labeling, dating, storage, expiration dates and food quality.
• Works sauté line, grill, pizza oven and other cook to order stations.
• Stocks and maintains Prepared Foods cases and stations.
• Processes customers’ made‑to‑order items accurately and expeditiously.
• Checks and follows daily prep list. Communicates with management team to determine production priorities.
• Assists customers with product selection, packaging and labeling as needed. Shares product knowledge with customers. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
• Completes customer special orders thoroughly and provides follow‑through as needed.
• Stocks, rotates and faces products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
• Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Receives and unloads merchandise; checks quality, count and condition. Communicates any issues to management and merchandising team.
• Maintains cleanliness, organization and rotation of all areas, products and supplies.
• Maintains accurate pricing and signage that meet merchandising standards.
• Understands and complies with specific shift guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.
• Maintains awareness of current ads, promotions, holidays and events.
• Demonstrates understanding of culinary terminology, equipment, techniques, units of weight, measurement and volume, and skills to make accurate conversions for large‑scale production.
• Notifies department manager or Manager On Duty of any situations relating to customer service, safety, productivity, security or any other situation that may have an adverse effect on the store.
• Tools and Equipment Used (not all-inclusive): This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (blast chiller, robot coupe, blender, slicer, mixer, kitchen smallwares, kettle, pallet jack, knife, range, thermometer, dishwasher, scale, oven, grill, cart, computer, and office equipment) basic housekeeping / janitorial and standard office equipment.

• This position works at a medium to heavy level. Requiredfrequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing, walking, bending, crouching, and stooping throughout shift. Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders.

• Frequently required to use hands and wrists for grabbing, twisting and pulling.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

*Medium/Heavy means the worker has the ability to occasionally (1 – 33%) lift 100 pounds while participating in a team lift* and has the ability to frequently (34 – 66%) lift or carry objects weighing 50 pounds. *Please note we encourage team lifts for any objects over 50lbs.

What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Previous customer service, food service such as restaurants or catering, retail or grocery experience required. Food preparation and cooking experience required, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
• Retail or grocery experience preferred.
• Solid knife skills required. Previous large batch food preparation or production experience preferred.
• Familiarity with culinary terminology and techniques and industry standard equipment preferred.
• Basic math and computation skills required.
• Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time and multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
• Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions and recipes.

Physical and Environmental Work Space:

Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, depending on location may have stairs or elevators, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will offer reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.