Lead/ Cafeteria Assistant

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Vision/Dental insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness programs

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas in Topeka, KS is seeking an experienced Lead Cafeteria Assistant to oversee daily kitchen operations, prepare nutritious meals, and maintain a safe, clean, and efficient food service environment. The role is onsite at the Topeka campus, with hours Monday–Friday, 6:00 am–2:30 pm.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in high-volume food service, 1 year in a supervisory role, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a ServSafe-type certification preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; culinary school or formal culinary training preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a high-volume food service environment, including 1 year in a supervisory or lead role required.
• Valid food handler's certification preferred (ServSafe or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead processes and provide direction for kitchen staff, including cooks, prep workers, and food servers.
• Plan and prepare daily meals in accordance with nutritional guidelines, dietary restrictions, and menu plans.
• Ensure all food is prepared, cooked, and served in a timely and sanitary manner.
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering and receiving food and supplies.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff in food preparation techniques, safety procedures, and sanitation standards.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen and serving area, adhering to health department regulations.
• Assist with menu planning and recipe development as needed.
• Coordinate with supervisors to ensure meal schedules and service expectations are met.
• Perform routine checks on kitchen equipment and report maintenance needs.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety standards, including HACCP and local health codes.
• Delegate tasks to the cooks and servers in their assigned areas.

Skills

Food safety

Team leadership

Time management

Communication

Cooking methods

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Culinary training preferred

Job description

This job was posted by https://www.kansasworks.com : For more information, please see: https://www.kansasworks.com/jobs/13638188 **Are you ready to make a difference? Choose to work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.**

You Belong At Blue

Why Join Us?

• Why Join Us?
• **Make a Positive Impact:** Your work will directly contribute to the health and well-being of Kansans.

• **Family** **Comes First**: Total rewards package that promotes the idea of family first for all employees. Paid vacation and sick leave with paid maternity and paternity available immediately upon hire

• **Professional Growth Opportunities:** Advance your career with ongoing training and development programs.

• **Dynamic Work Environment:** Collaborate with a team of passionate and driven individuals in a work environment that promotes flexibility.

• **Trust and Stability:** Work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas with over 80 years of commitment, compassion and community.

• **Inclusive Work Environment:** We pride ourselves on fostering a workplace where everyone is valued and respected.

Benefits & Perks

• Base compensation is only one component of your competitive Total Rewards package

• Incentive pay program (EPIP)
• Health/Vision/Dental insurance
• 6 weeks paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers
• Fertility/Adoption assistance
• 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
• 401(k) plan matching up to 5%
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated **Lead Cafeteria Assistant** to oversee daily kitchen operations, prepare nutritious and appealing meals, and ensure a safe, clean, and efficient food service environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food service, leadership experience in a commercial or institutional kitchen, and a commitment to high standards of food quality, safety, and customer service. "This position is eligible to work onsite at our Topeka campus. Applicants must reside in Kansas or Missouri or be willing to relocate as a condition of employment." Hours are Monday- Friday 6:00 am- 2:30 p.m

What you’ll do

• Lead processes and provide direction for kitchen staff, including cooks, prep workers, and food servers.
• Plan and prepare daily meals in accordance with nutritional guidelines, dietary restrictions, and menu plans.
• Ensure all food is prepared, cooked, and served in a timely and sanitary manner.
• Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering and receiving food and supplies.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff in food preparation techniques, safety procedures, and sanitation standards.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen and serving area, adhering to health department regulations.
• Assist with menu planning and recipe development as needed.
• Coordinate with supervisors to ensure meal schedules and service expectations are met.
• Perform routine checks on kitchen equipment and report maintenance needs.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety standards, including HACCP and local health codes.
• Delegate tasks to the cooks and servers in their assigned areas.

What you need

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Knowledgeable of portioning and scaling recipes.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills and a customer-service orientation.
• Well versed in cooking methods, i.e. charbroiling, roasting, frying, braising.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; culinary school or formal culinary training preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a high-volume food service environment, including 1 year in a supervisory or lead role required.
• Valid food handler's certification preferred (ServSafe or equivalent).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Subject to exposure of extreme temperatures; walk-in freezer, stovetop, oven, steam throughout the shift.

Compensation

**$20.96- $26.20**

Non-Exempt Grade 11

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas offers excellent competitive compensation with the goal of retaining and growing talented team members. The compensation range for this role is a good faith estimate, it is estimated based on what a successful candidate might be paid. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive wages that align with the individual's skills, education, experience, and training