Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Free meals while working

Medical, vision, dental insurance

401k with company match

Paid training and growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading restaurant group is seeking a Kitchen Team Associate in Elkhart, Indiana. This role includes cooking delicious food while ensuring cleanliness and safety standards. The ideal candidate is a friendly team player who is willing to learn and grow within the company. Flexible schedules and various benefits are available, alongside opportunities for community engagement through initiatives.

Qualifications

• Food Handler certification may be required depending on local requirements.
• Operations experience is a plus.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional dining experience to guests.
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance of the store.
• Follow Operations Standards and Safety Procedures.

Skills

Friendly team player

Verbal communication skills

Ability to adapt

Education

Some high school education

Job description

Kitchen Team Associate

We’re looking for friendly team players to cook delicious food while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness for our guests. Thrive in a safe and supportive work environment with teammates becoming friends. There’s always something new to learn, do, and accomplish. If you don’t have experience, we’ll train you. You’ll gain skills that help you rise in your career, no matter where you go. We’re all about giving back, so you’ll also have the chance to impact your community through our Panda Cares initiative.

Responsibilities

• Provides exceptional dining experience to guests – greet guests, serve food, and handle payments at cash register.
• Maintains cleanliness and appearance of the store.
• Follows Operations Standards and Safety Procedures to serve fresh and quality food.
• Works efficiently in a fast‑paced kitchen environment and may work at different positions (front counter, drive‑through, or kitchen).
• Works effectively with team members to meet daily goals in a fun, positive environment.

Qualifications

• Friendly and helpful team players.
• Operations experience is a plus.
• Some high school education.
• Food Handler certification may be required depending on local requirements, acquired at your expense.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules
• Great pay
• Free meals while working at Panda
• Medical, vision, dental, voluntary short‑term disability, cancer income protection insurance for full‑time associates
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• 401k with company match
• Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and leave share program for eligible associates
• Associate discounts for many brands
• Referral bonus for eligible associates
• Opportunity to give back to your community
• Hands‑on paid training to prepare for success
• On‑going career & leadership development
• Opportunities for growth into management positions
• Pre‑tax dependent care flexible spending account
• Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details. Candidates must meet, and continue to meet, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.

ADA Statement

While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use a Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment, and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, stand up to four hours and reach across countertops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast‑paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law including sex/gender, gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodations. If you have a request for accommodation, please reach out to our accommodation team at [e-mail].