Full Time - Production Lead Cook

Ocean State Job Lot; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Life insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Job summary

Aztec Shops Ltd. is seeking a campus dining cook to prepare food per recipes for residential dining, retail, and catering venues on site. You will support production, ensure food quality, and maintain sanitation and equipment safety standards.

The role requires at least a high school diploma or GED and one year of kitchen experience; a Food Handler certificate is preferred. Flexible schedule with shifts including evenings and weekends is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; prior kitchen experience preferred.
• Food handling and sanitation knowledge desirable.
• Ability to follow recipes and production records.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food products as assigned by production records or orders following recipes and standards.
• Ensures product quality by following sanitation guidelines and policy.
• Operates, maintains, and cleans kitchen equipment safely.
• Assists with inventory accuracy and reporting discrepancies.
• Maintains clean, organized workstations and handles waste/replenishment.
• Performs duties across different kitchen stations as needed.

Skills

Food prep

Kitchen safety

English literacy

Basic math

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

This represents the good faith estimate of the hourly wage range we reasonably expect to pay for this position upon hire, depending on factors such as the selected candidate's experience, training, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and operational needs.

In select cases, and depending on market conditions or exceptional candidate qualifications, compensation may exceed this range, provided it aligns with applicable law and our compensation policies.

Aztec Shops offers eligible full-time hourly employees a competitive benefits package that includes 80% employer-paid medical coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, 90% employer-paid dental coverage for the employee and their qualified dependents, employer-paid life/AD&D insurance, an employer-funded defined benefit pension plan, vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, paid holidays, up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, voluntary 403(b) matching and 457 retirement savings plans non matching, flexible spending accounts, employer EAP including financial wellness resources, and additional employee benefits.

Prepares and cooks food, per recipe, for campus residential dining, retail, and catering venues as assigned. It also provides supervisory support to general food service production. Assumes responsibilities in the absence of a Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEPENDING ON LOCATION:

NOTE: The duties listed below are examples of the variety and general nature of those performed by employees in this job description. The list is descriptive only and should not be used for any other purpose. To achieve this job successfully, an individual must perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This is not an all-encompassing list, and additional duties may be assigned based on business needs. The responsibilities listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Prepares food products as assigned by production records or submitted orders, following established recipes and standards.

Ensures product quality by following food handling procedures and sanitation guidelines in accordance with policy.

Operating, maintaining and cleaning grill, kitchen and production equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

Assists with inventory process accuracy, the recording of spoilage and product transfers, reporting any discrepancies to unit manager or supervisor.

Takes responsibility for the cleanliness and orderly appearance of the unit or event, including restocking necessary products or supplies and emptying trash receptacles.

Prepares all food in a timely manner and in a tasty eye-appealing manner with correct seasoning.

Uses basic mathematical skills necessary to understand recipes, measurements, requisition amounts and portion sizes.

Understanding of/or willingness to learn; classic culinary techniques.

Sets up, breaks down, works and cleans the various stations in the kitchen.

Records Pre and Post Production quantities for production reports.

Breaks down received orders and stores product properly.

May assist in the cleaning of equipment, tools, or pans.

Must comply with and ensure continued, consistent compliance with all company policies, and federal, state, and local laws/regulations including but not limited to: employment, safety, and health.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

The minimum requirement for applicants is a High School diploma or General Education Development (GED) degree required; plus at least one year of experience in a full production kitchen; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Food Handler certificate from County of San Diego preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Must be able to read, write and understand English. Requires the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Basic math skills with the ability to count in ascending and descending order, add, subtract, multiply, divide. Able to comprehend conversion charts. Able to multiply recipes based on production needs.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out general written or oral instruction. Ability to identify and report any deficiencies on invoices or product transfers to supervisor and to identify unusable product, discard, and report to Production Chef. Ability to identify and utilize leftover products to maximize product value.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:

Requires the ability to use a variety of equipment and utensils.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:

Must have the ability to talk/expressing and/or exchanging ideas and hear/perceiving sounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand or walk/move for prolonged hours. Must have the ability to operate food service equipment, including but not limited to; slicers, mixers, knives, ovens, and steamers and office equipment such as computers, copy machines, and fax machines. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND HAZARDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is always exposed to food fumes or airborne particles. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, cooking equipment and is exposed to humid and hot conditions and cleaning chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position requires on-site presence due to the scope of the duties, and it would not be eligible for remote work.

Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule based on operational needs. This may include opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, as well as night shifts, weekends, and holidays throughout the year.

BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION:

A background check will be conducted after a conditional offer of employment is extended by the company and accepted by the applicant and must be satisfactorily completed prior to any applicant beginning work in a full-time, part-time non-student, or sensitive student capacity with Aztec Shops Ltd.

Background checks will include, at minimum, verification of education and employment histories, criminal records, national sex offender registry check, and references. Additionally, based on the nature and scope of the position, the background check may also include a credit report, motor vehicle report, and verification of professional licenses.

Failure to answer background check questions honestly, and satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the employment status of applicants or continued employment of current Aztec Shops employees who apply for promotional positions which require a background check.

Aztec Shops Ltd. complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including California Fair Chance Act, when conducting background checks.

Aztec Shops will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Aztec Shops is concerned about criminal history that is directly related to the job, you will be given notice and an opportunity to respond and provide additional information such as rehabilitation efforts or mitigating circumstances, or information pertaining to the accuracy of the background report. Aztec Shops will consider all evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating circumstances. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

Aztec Shops is a diverse community representing many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful culture that promotes open communication, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging, to support the success of both our employees and students.

All Aztec Shops programs and activities are open and accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, and other characteristics protected by law. Consistent with California and federal civil rights laws, Aztec Shops maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.

Aztec Shops is dedicated to providing equal opportunity in employment and ensuring that no employee or applicant faces unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, job assignments, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

Our commitment to equal opportunity ensures that every employee has access to the resources and support needed to thrive and succeed. Aztec Shops complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Our Organization
Aztec Shops, Ltd., founded in 1931, is a non-profit corporation that functions as an auxiliary of San Diego State University. As a “self-sustaining” non-profit SDSU auxiliary, Aztec Shops operates without subsidy from the University or the State. The corporation manages a variety of services including operation of SDSU Campus Stores, SDSU Dining, SDSU Conference Services, SDSU Licensing, and Commercial and Residential Real Estate properties surrounding campus.
Mission StatementAztec Shops, Ltd., strives to advance the priorities of San Diego State University and enhance the quality, affordability, and accessibility of every student’s educational experience and success. Aztec Shops is a leader in comprehensive, sustainable and innovative practices and is responsive to the SDSU community, contributing strategically and financially for the greater good of the University, its students and student programs.
Aztec Shops Values......integrity, honesty, transparency and responsibility-- among all Aztec Shops employees and leadership staff.
...a culture of open communication, mutual respect and belonging-- in every facet of our work.
...our partnership with San Diego State University-- with students as the main priority, we actively participate in the advancement of the strategic long-term and immediate short-term needs and goals of the University.
...our professional staff-- Aztec Shops has created a unique culture that encourages a positive work environment and allows for work-life balance and opportunities for advancement.
...our student employees-- we take a student‑centric approach to management so when students work for us, they become part of the Aztec Shops family and will be taught valuable life and professional skills needed to become socially responsible global citizens.
...the principles of responsible environmental stewardship-- Aztec Shops is committed to supporting a resilient and sustainable university community by using innovative practices with transparency, fairness, efficiency, and accountability in alignment with the University’s goals.

U. S. Patents 7,080,057; 7,310,626; 7,558,767; 7,562,059; 7,472,097; 7,606,778; 8,086,558 and 8,046,251.