Energetic Food Service Associate | Fast-Paced Kitchen

Farmers Co-op Oil Company of Renville; Emmet Township (MN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmers Co-op Oil Company in Minnesota is seeking a Food Service Associate to keep customers fed with fresh, tasty items and friendly service.

You will prepare menu items, maintain attractive displays, follow safety standards, and help keep the kitchen clean and organized in a hands-on, non-supervisory role. If you enjoy activity, helping customers, and a fun team, this may be the perfect fit.

Qualifications

• Friendly and customer-focused.
• Dependable and punctual.
• Able to follow recipes and food-safety procedures.
• Able to work independently and in a team.
• Able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to communicate effectively with customers and coworkers.
• Willing to learn new menu items and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food-service menu items according to recipes and presentation standards.
• Keep displays stocked and ready during service hours.
• Follow food-safety, labeling, and dating procedures.
• Provide fast, friendly, and accurate customer service.
• Assist customers with orders and questions about menu items.
• Maintain clean, sanitary prep areas and equipment.
• Help promote sales by keeping displays inviting.

Skills

Friendly demeanor

Customer service

Dependable

Punctual

Follow recipes

Job description

Description

Bring the Energy. Serve Great Food. Make Someone’s Day!

Job Summary

As a Food Service Associate, you will help keep our customers fueled with fresh, delicious food and friendly service. You will prepare menu items, maintain attractive and well-stocked food displays, follow food-safety standards, and help keep the kitchen clean and organized.

This is a hands-on team position—not a supervisory role. If you enjoy staying active, helping customers, and being part of a fun, fast-paced kitchen, this may be the perfect fit for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Preparation and Service

• Prepare food-service menu items according to recipes, build guides, portion standards, and presentation expectations.
• Keep warmers and food displays stocked with fresh products throughout designated service hours.
• Follow established cooking, holding, cooling, labeling, dating, and product-rotation procedures.
• Monitor product quality and remove items that have exceeded their approved holding time.
• Complete assigned prep lists and shift duties accurately and on time.
• Help promote food sales by keeping displays clean, full, fresh, and inviting.
• Learn current specials and confidently share them with customers.
• Provide fast, friendly, and accurate customer service.
• Assist customers with food orders and answer questions about available menu items.
• Package food neatly and ensure every order is complete before it is given to the customer.
• Reduce waste by following recipes, portion standards, and production guidelines.

Food Safety and Cleanliness

• Follow all company, franchise, vendor, and state food-safety requirements.
• Wash hands and change gloves as required.
• Prevent cross-contamination by using approved food-handling procedures.
• Monitor and record food and equipment temperatures as assigned.
• Maintain clean and sanitary food-preparation areas, utensils, equipment, coolers, freezers, warmers, and displays.
• Complete assigned daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks.
• Keep floors clean, dry, and free from hazards.
• Properly store food, chemicals, supplies, and personal belongings.
• Obtain and maintain any food-safety certification required for the position.
• Immediately report equipment problems, food-safety concerns, injuries, or unsafe conditions to the Store Manager or Kitchen Leader.

Teamwork

• Work cooperatively with the Store Manager, Kitchen Leader, and fellow team members.
• Follow directions and complete tasks assigned by management.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers to ensure smooth shift transitions.
• Help coworkers when needed and contribute to a positive, respectful workplace.
• Be dependable, arrive on time, and be ready to work at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
• Assist with shift coverage when available and approved by management.
• Ask questions when instructions or expectations are unclear.
• Help create a workplace where safety, teamwork, and a little fun are always on the menu!

Customer Service

• Greet customers promptly and make them feel welcome.
• Treat every customer with patience, courtesy, and respect.
• Respond professionally to customer questions and concerns.
• Refer complaints or situations requiring management assistance to the Store Manager or Kitchen Leader.
• Maintain a clean, neat, and professional appearance.
• Represent Farmers Co-op Oil Company positively in every customer interaction.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Friendly and customer-focused.
• Dependable and punctual.
• Able to follow recipes, written instructions, and food-safety procedures.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• Able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, vendors, and management.
• Able to perform basic arithmetic needed for food preparation, product counts, and customer transactions.
• Willing to learn new menu items, equipment, and procedures.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Stand and walk for extended periods, potentially throughout a shift of up to 10 hours.
• Frequently bend, kneel, reach, twist, and move between work areas.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances.
• Safely use kitchen utensils, food-service equipment, handheld devices, and cleaning tools.
• Work around hot equipment, cold storage areas, food products, grease, cleaning supplies, and occasionally wet or slippery surfaces.
• Read labels, recipes, safety instructions, equipment displays, and product information.
• Communicate effectively with customers and team members.
• Safely lift and move a fire extinguisher weighing approximately 25 pounds in an emergency.