Prepared Foods Clerk (Full-Time)

New Pioneer Food Co-op; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Staff discounts

Retirement plan

Job summary

New Pioneer Food Co-op is hiring a Prepared Foods Clerk in the Cedar Rapids/Coralville/Iowa City area to support the deli, hot bar, grab-and-go, and service counter operations. You will help with prep, portioning, packaging, stocking, labeling, and customer service while upholding food safety standards.

The role covers multiple stations, emphasizing freshness, presentation, and teamwork within a community-owned coop committed to local foods and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Provide friendly, welcoming, and helpful service at the deli, hot bar, grab and go, and service counters.
• Prepare, portion, assemble, and package food following recipes, presentation, and portioning standards.
• Stock and replenish the retail cases, salad bar, soup/hot bar and deli displays fully and attractively.
• Rotate product, apply accurate date and ingredient labeling, and follow all food handling procedures.
• Monitor and record hot holding and cold holding temperatures following food safety procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization across preparation, service, and display areas.
• Assist customers with product questions, samples, and catering orders.
• Work collaboratively with team members, the commissary kitchen, and other departments to support daily operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, welcoming, and helpful service at the deli, hot bar, grab and go, and service counters
• Prepare, portion, assemble, and package food following established recipes, presentation, and portioning standards
• Stock and replenish the retail cases, salad bar, soup/hot bar and deli displays fully and attractively
• Rotate product, apply accurate date and ingredient labeling, and follow all food handling procedures
• Monitor and record hot holding and cold holding temperatures following food safety procedures
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization across preparation, service, and display areas
• Assist customers with product questions, samples, and catering orders
• Work collaboratively with team members, the commissary kitchen, and other departments to support daily operations

Skills

Deli and food service

Team communication

Food safety awareness

Customer service

Lifting 50 lbs

Job description

Starting Hourly Rate: $15.00, based on experience, interview, and skills test

Location: Operations – Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City

Reports to: Prepared Foods Team Leader

Employment Type: Full-Time and Part Time, Non-Exempt

New Pioneer Food Co-op is a community owned, value driven local food marketplace rooted in cooperation, sustainability, and shared success. We exist to strengthen the local food system while creating welcoming spaces for staff, members, and partners to thrive.

About the Role

The Prepared Foods Clerk supports daily department operations while helping create a fresh, appetizing, and welcoming prepared foods experience for every customer.

This role works across the deli, hot bar, grab and go, and service counter areas, supporting food preparation and assembly, stocking and rotation, packaging and labeling, customer service, and the cleanliness and food safety standards that define New Pioneer prepared foods.

Prepared Foods Clerks play an important role in delivering high quality, safe, and attractively presented food while supporting the overall success of the store team.

Requirements

What You Will Do

• Provide friendly, welcoming, and helpful service at the deli, hot bar, grab and go, and service counters


• Prepare, portion, assemble, and package food following established recipes, presentation, and portioning standards


• Stock and replenish the retail cases, salad bar, soup/hot bar and deli displays fully and attractively


• Rotate product, apply accurate date and ingredient labeling, and follow all food handling procedures


• Monitor and record hot holding and cold holding temperatures following food safety procedures


• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization across preparation, service, and display areas


• Assist customers with product questions, samples, and catering orders


• Work collaboratively with team members, the commissary kitchen, and other departments to support daily operations

What Success Looks Like

• Customers experience fresh, and well-presented prepared foods every day


• Customers experience engaged and thoughtful customer service


• Retail cases, salad bar, soup/hot bar and deli displays remain full, rotated, and accurately labeled


• External and internal areas of the department maintain consistent levels of cleanliness and coordination


• Food preparation, portioning, and presentation standards are consistently met


• Food safety, sanitation, and temperature standards are consistently followed


• Team members contribute positively to department culture and operational flow

What You’ll Bring

• Food service, deli, culinary, grocery, or retail experience preferred


• Positive attitude and willingness to support multiple areas of the department and store


• Ability to work in a fast paced and team oriented environment


• Strong communication and reliability


• Interest in natural, organic, and local foods preferred


• Able to stay on task consistently and present self professionally


• Commitment to food safety and willingness to complete required food handling certification


• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and work in varying temperatures, including coolers and freezers


• Flexible availability including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers competitive hourly pay aligned with market benchmarks for similar cooperative retail roles, along with benefits that may include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, staff discounts, and retirement plan options for eligible team members.

Why Join New Pioneer

At New Pioneer, every role contributes to a shared mission of building stronger communities through food, service, and cooperation.

As a Prepared Foods Clerk, you help create the fresh, flavorful, and dependable prepared foods experience our shoppers count on every day.