Kitchen Prep Associate

Plat Du Jour Inc; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Plat du Jour (PDJ) is seeking a reliable Kitchen Prep Associate to support daily culinary production operations in a fast-paced food-manufacturing environment. This role focuses on batch prep and ingredient handling to keep the production floor running on schedule and to standard.

The ideal candidate follows standardized recipes precisely, upholds food safety practices, and takes pride in consistent execution across tasks. Supervisory support comes from the Production Manager / Sous Chef.

Qualifications

• Experience in a food production or commercial kitchen environment is preferred.
• Basic knife skills and comfort with high-volume prep.
• Food safety knowledge; certification preferred or must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to portion accuracy and recipe compliance.
• Reliable, punctual, and capable of sustained physical work on a full production shift.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, process-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute assigned food preparation tasks including washing, peeling, cutting, portioning, weighing, and organizing ingredients per recipes and schedules.
• Prepare proteins, vegetables, grains, sauces, and other meal components per specifications and targets.
• Follow all recipes, batch specifications, and production instructions accurately.
• Support batch cooking with measuring, mixing, assembling, and monitoring components.
• Maintain proper temperature control and storage practices throughout preparation.
• Label, date, and store prepped ingredients according to FIFO and food safety guidelines.
• Assist Production Manager / Sous Chef to meet daily output goals.
• Follow GMP and HACCP protocols and report any safety concerns immediately.
• Assist receiving, organizing, and proper storage of ingredients and supplies.
• Support equipment setup, changeovers, and cleaning between production runs.

Skills

Food production experience

Knife skills

Food safety knowledge

Attention to detail

Team player

Punctual

Physical stamina

Education

Food Handler certification (within 30 days)

Job description

Description

About Plat du Jour (PDJ)

Plat du Jour (PDJ) is a precision meal platform producing high-quality, ready-to-eat meals and components at scale. PDJ operates at the intersection of culinary excellence and operational discipline, combining chef-driven food with the consistency, structure, and efficiency of a food manufacturing environment. This is not a restaurant kitchen — our operation is built around batch production, process control, food safety, and consistency at scale. The Kitchen Prep Associate is a foundational member of the production team that makes that happen every single shift.

Position Overview

PDJ is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Kitchen Prep Associate to support daily culinary production operations. This is a hands-on role focused on food preparation —batch prep, and ingredient handling tasks that keep the production floor running on schedule and to standard.

The ideal candidate has a strong work ethic, takes food safety seriously, follows standardized recipes and instructions with precision, and takes genuine pride in executing consistently across every task they are assigned. This role works under the direct supervision of the Production Manager / Sous Chef and is a critical position in PDJ's daily production operation.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Production & Food Preparation

• Execute assigned food preparation tasks including washing, peeling, cutting, portioning, weighing, and organizing ingredients in accordance with standardized recipes and production schedules
• Prepare proteins, vegetables, grains, sauces, and other meal components according to recipe specifications, portion standards, and production targets
• Follow all standardized recipes, batch specifications, and production instructions accurately and consistently
• Support batch cooking operations including measuring, mixing, assembling, and monitoring food components as directed
• Maintain proper temperature control, food handling, and storage practices throughout all stages of preparation
• Label, date, and store all prepped ingredients and components correctly in accordance with FIFO and food safety requirements
• Assist the Production Manager / Sous Chef with any production tasks needed to meet daily output goals

Food Safety, Sanitation & GMP Compliance

• Follow all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements including proper handwashing, personal hygiene, uniform compliance, and facility conduct standards at all times
• Maintain strict allergen awareness and follow allergen handling and segregation protocols as directed
• Complete assigned cleaning and sanitation tasks for workstations, equipment, and kitchen production areas at the start, during, and end of each shift
• Complete all required production and food safety documentation accurately, including temperature logs, production records, and cleaning checklists
• Adhere to all HACCP protocols and food safety standards applicable to a food manufacturing environment
• Report any food safety concerns, contamination risks, or GMP violations to the Production Manager or QA Technician immediately

General Production Support

• Assist with receiving, organizing, and properly storing incoming ingredients and supplies as needed
• Support equipment setup, changeovers, and cleaning between production runs
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area throughout the shift in compliance with PDJ standards
• Assist other team members and production departments as directed to support overall daily output goals
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a food production, food manufacturing, commissary, catering, or commercial kitchen environment preferred
• Basic knife skills and comfort with high-volume food preparation tasks such as portioning, weighing, and batch assembly
• Understanding of basic food safety and sanitation practices; Food Handler certification preferred or must be obtained within 30 days of hire
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions accurately and consistently
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to portion accuracy and recipe compliance
• Reliable, punctual, and able to sustain focused, physical work over the course of a full production shift
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, structured production environment
• Comfortable working in a process-driven environment where consistency, speed, and adherence to standards are equally important

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout the production facility for the duration of a full shift
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Ability to bend, reach, grip, and perform repetitive hand and arm motions throughout the shift
• Comfortable working in hot, cold, and fast-paced production environments including walk-in coolers and refrigerated prep areas