Cook (JP's Sports Grill)

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University is seeking an on-site dining operations team member for JP's Sports Grill on campus. The position features a 40-hour work week, a strong work-life balance, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities include preparing and serving quality food, coordinating daily production, training student staff, ensuring food safety, and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen while fostering a collaborative team environment. Sponsorship is not required.

Qualifications

• Requires one year of relevant experience.
• High school graduation or GED.
• 1-3 years cooking experience in a restaurant setting.
• From-scratch batch food preparation knowledge, equipment, sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Ability to develop and maintain congenial relationships with staff and customers.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to learn basic math, weigh and measure ingredients.
• Ability to present prepared food attractively.
• Ability to use and care for equipment and handle food safely.
• ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Operations: Prepare and serve high-quality food using made-to-order cooking methods and standardized recipes in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Coordinate Daily Production: Plan food production, monitor supplies and quantities, track yields, and ensure meals are ready on time for excellent customer service.
• Lead & Train Student Staff: Assign, train, coach, and support student employees in food preparation, service, safety, sanitation, and efficient work practices.
• Ensure Food Quality & Safety: Maintain high standards for food quality, portioning, presentation, temperature, sanitation, and HACCP food safety practices.
• Support Staffing & Operations: Adjust schedules, coordinate daily assignments, and step into culinary duties as needed to keep operations running smoothly.
• Maintain a Safe, Clean Kitchen: Oversee cleaning and equipment maintenance while promoting safe, sanitary, and efficient work areas.
• Build a Positive Team Environment: Foster strong relationships with students, coworkers, and management while promoting professionalism, teamwork, and respect.
• Manage Resources & Improve Operations: Help maximize the effective use of food, supplies, labor, and equipment while identifying opportunities for operational improvements.
• Stay Organized & Accountable: Complete production records, participate in training and meetings, communicate operational needs, and consistently uphold established standards.

Skills

Food preparation

Teamwork

Sanitation standards

Customer service

Education

High school graduation/GED

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Job description

About This Role

Participates in food production for JP's Sports Grill, an on-campus retail restaurant serving the local community in addition to campus based faculty, staff and students. The position has direct impact on the dining satisfaction level of customers. The position offers a 40 hour per week schedule, a great work-life balance and a generous benefit package.

Key responsibilities include:

• Culinary Operations: Prepare and serve high-quality food using made-to-order cooking methods and standardized recipes in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Coordinate Daily Production: Plan food production, monitor supplies and quantities, track yields, and ensure meals are ready on time for excellent customer service.
• Lead & Train Student Staff: Assign, train, coach, and support student employees in food preparation, service, safety, sanitation, and efficient work practices.
• Ensure Food Quality & Safety: Maintain high standards for food quality, portioning, presentation, temperature, sanitation, and HACCP food safety practices.
• Support Staffing & Operations: Adjust schedules, coordinate daily assignments, and step into culinary duties as needed to keep operations running smoothly.
• Maintain a Safe, Clean Kitchen: Oversee cleaning and equipment maintenance while promoting safe, sanitary, and efficient work areas.
• Build a Positive Team Environment: Foster strong relationships with students, coworkers, and management while promoting professionalism, teamwork, and respect.
• Manage Resources & Improve Operations: Help maximize the effective use of food, supplies, labor, and equipment while identifying opportunities for operational improvements.
• Stay Organized & Accountable: Complete production records, participate in training and meetings, communicate operational needs, and consistently uphold established standards.

About Us

Housing and Dining Services (HDS) is a large, complex, self-operated auxiliary department employing about 1,000 full and part-time staff. We share the desire to provide exemplary services, products and facilities for our residents and other guests. HDS provides affordable, safe and engaging accommodations for more than 5,000 residents and find unique ways to support their academic pursuits. Additionally, we offer a variety of event spaces, dining and catering options for both on and off-campus events.
The 2025 Princeton Review ranks us #2 Happiest Students, #2 Best Quality of Life, #8 Best College Residence Halls, and #14 Best Campus Food. What a great team to be part of!

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires one year of relevant experience. Requirements may be met through a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High school graduation/GED
• 1-3 years cooking experience in a restaurant setting
• Considerable knowledge of "from scratch" batch food preparation, equipment, health sanitation, and safety procedures
• The ability to develop and maintain congenial work relationships with other staff and customers
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to learn to perform basic math computations; to accurately weigh and measure ingredients
• Ability to present prepared food attractively
• Ability to use and care for equipment and handle food safely while preparing high quality products
• Prefer ServSafe certification

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: October 21, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$16.00 - $18.00 per hour