Food Service Specialist

brcbrands; Wharton (TX); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Ranch Downtown in Wharton, TX is hiring for a part-time Food Service Specialist. The role involves hands-on food preparation, cooking, inventory, sanitation, and maintaining an organized kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and daily operations.

The team emphasizes quality, safety, and a strong work ethic. Ideal candidates will have prior food service experience, be dependable and proactive, and hold or be willing to obtain a Texas Food Handler certification.

Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation or kitchen operations.
• Familiarity with food inventory, labeling, dating.
• Knowledge of FIFO and proper food handling.
• Willingness to obtain Texas Food Handler license if not current.
• Strong attention to cleanliness and safety.

Responsibilities

• Create menu ideas for coffee shop offerings.
• Prepare, cook, assemble, and serve breakfast, lunch, and other items.
• Assist with menu prep, new items, seasonal offerings, events.
• Ensure ingredients are labeled, dated, stored, and ready for service.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, expiration dates, and condition.
• Maintain organized inventory and supply levels.
• Receive, organize, and store food deliveries.
• Shop weekly for necessary ingredients.
• Minimize waste and manage proper food orders.
• Follow sanitation, temperature control, and food safety procedures.
• Keep prep areas, refrigerators, and equipment clean and organized.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation and service areas.
• Identify expired or unusable food and remove it from service.
• Support kitchen efficiency and overall operation.
• Train and guide team members on procedures when appropriate.
• Prepare larger quantities for events or catering orders.
• Support standards, cleanliness, and customer experience.

Skills

Food prep

Cooking

Inventory mgmt

Sanitation

Kitchen organization

Team player

Punctuality

Proactive

Food safety

Education

Texas Food Handler certification/license

Job description

Always Accepting Applications - Now Hiring to Begin October 1st or Sooner

Wharton, Texas Hours: Shifts may vary based on food service needs. Typically 7 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturdays

The Ranch Downtown is always interested in meeting experienced, dependable people who would be a great fit for our team.

If you have previous experience in food preparation, restaurant or food service operations, cooking, kitchen management, we would love to hear from you.

Our Food Service Specialists play an important role in maintaining the food service operation at The Ranch Downtown. This is a hands‑on position responsible for helping manage the day-to‑day food preparation, cooking, inventory, sanitation, organization, and overall food service of the coffee shop. Typical menu items include breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches, wraps, and soups.

This position works closely with the coffee shop team and management to ensure food is prepared safely, consistently, and efficiently while maintaining a clean, organized, and well‑stocked food preparation area.

We're looking for someone who is experienced, dependable, organized, proactive, hardworking, and takes pride in food quality, cleanliness, and doing things the right way.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include:

• Create menu ideas for coffee shop food serving offerings
• Prepare, cook, assemble, and serve breakfast, lunch, and other food items
• Assisting with menu preparation, new food items, seasonal offerings, and special events
• Ensure ingredients are properly prepared, labeled, dated, stored, and ready for service
• Monitor food quality, freshness, expiration dates, and overall condition of ingredients
• Maintain accurate and organized food inventory and supply levels
• Receive, organize, and store food deliveries and inventory
• Weekly shopping trips to purchase necessary food ingredients
• Help maintain appropriate food orders and minimizing unnecessary waste
• Follow proper food handling, sanitation, temperature control, storage, and food‑safety procedures
• Keep refrigerators, freezers, prep areas, shelves, equipment, and food storage areas clean and organized
• Clean and sanitize food preparation and service areas
• Clean and maintain cooking equipment, utensils, containers, and other food‑service equipment
• Monitor prepared foods and ensure they are properly covered, labeled, dated, and used within appropriate timeframes
• Identifying expired, spoiled, damaged, or otherwise unusable food and removing it from service
• Helping maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen and food preparation environment
• Support the coffee shop team during busy periods
• Communicate food needs, inventory concerns, equipment issues, and other operational needs to management
• Help train and guide other team members on proper food preparation, food safety, sanitation, and kitchen procedures when appropriate
• Prepare larger quantities of food for events, catering‑style orders, or special projects when needed
• Support the overall standards, cleanliness, organization, and customer experience of The Ranch Downtown

What We're Looking For

Our ideal applicants:

• Have previous experience in food preparation, cooking, restaurant, food service, kitchen operations, or hospitality
• Have experience working with food inventory and food storage
• Understand proper food handling, sanitation, temperature control, and food‑safety practices
• Hold a current Texas Food Handler certification/license or are willing and able to obtain one as required
• Are comfortable preparing and cooking a variety of breakfast, lunch, and other food‑service items
• Are organized and able to keep up with food inventory, ordering needs, expiration dates, and product rotation
• Pay close attention to cleanliness, sanitation, food quality, and detail
• Understand the importance of FIFO and proper food labeling and dating
• Can work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment
• Are dependable, punctual, and responsible
• Take ownership of their work area and responsibilities
• Are proactive and can recognize what needs to be done without always being asked
• Are comfortable working independently while also being part of a team
• Communicate well with coworkers and management
• Are willing to learn, receive feedback, and continually improve
• Take pride in keeping a kitchen and food‑service operation clean, organized, and running properly
• Understand that food safety and cleanliness are non‑negotiable
• Are willing to help wherever needed to support the overall operation

Previous professional food service, restaurant, kitchen, or cooking experience is strongly preferred.

Applicants with food service management, kitchen management, restaurant management, catering, or other leadership experience are especially encouraged to apply.

Compensation: $15 to $18 per hour based on experience.

Schedule

Our typical food serving hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Saturdays.

This is a part time position and scheduling needs will vary depending on current openings and food service needs.

Applicants should understand that food service positions may require early mornings, weekdays, Saturdays, and additional hours for preparation, special events, or other food‑service needs.

Specific hours and scheduling requirements will be discussed when an opening becomes available.