Prepared Foods Lead (Deli / Kitchen Specialist)

THE COMMUNITY MERCANTILE, INC.; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employer-paid life and long-term-dis能力

401(k) with company match

Birthday and service anniversaryrecogn

Pet insurance options

Paid community volunteer time

Job summary

The Merc Co+op in Lawrence, KS is seeking a Prepared Foods Lead to guide our Deli and Kitchen team. This hands-on leadership role works with the Kitchen Manager to coordinate daily operations, train staff, and maintain high food quality while ensuring a great customer experience.

If you have lead or supervisory experience in food service, deli, restaurant, or grocery settings, and enjoy coaching others in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to talk.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Dependability and a positive attitude.
• Ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership, lead, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Food service, deli, restaurant, grocery, catering, or kitchen experience preferred.
• Availability to work weekends and some holidays.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and remain active.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily deli and kitchen operations
• Prepare soups, salads, sandwiches, grab-and-go items, hot foods, and other prepared products
• Support, train, and coach team members
• Prioritize work, delegate tasks, and keep production on schedule
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality standards
• Assist with inventory, ordering, receiving, and product rotation
• Help create a welcoming experience for customers and coworkers
• Serve as a department leader when the Kitchen Manager is unavailable

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Dependability

Organizational skills

Leadership

Weekend availability

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Lawrence, KS, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1129

Salary Range: $16.32 To $22.03 Hourly

Prepared Foods Lead (Deli / Kitchen)

Lead a Team. Create Great Food. Make a Difference in Your Community.

The Merc Co+op is looking for a Prepared Foods Lead to help guide our Deli and Kitchen team.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys great food, supporting teammates, and keeping a busy kitchen running smoothly. You'll work alongside the Kitchen Manager to coordinate daily operations, train and support staff, maintain food quality standards, and help ensure every customer has a great experience.

If you've worked as a lead cook, kitchen supervisor, shift lead, deli lead, assistant manager, or team leader and enjoy coaching others while staying involved in the day-to-day work, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

• Help lead daily deli and kitchen operations
• Prepare soups, salads, sandwiches, grab-and-go items, hot foods, and other prepared products
• Support, train, and coach team members
• Prioritize work, delegate tasks, and help keep production on schedule
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality standards
• Assist with inventory, ordering, receiving, and product rotation
• Help create a welcoming experience for customers and coworkers
• Serve as a department leader when the Kitchen Manager is unavailable

Qualifications

• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Dependability and a positive attitude
• Ability to stay organized and work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Leadership, lead, or supervisory experience preferred
• Food service, deli, restaurant, grocery, catering, or kitchen experience preferred
• Availability to work weekends and some holidays
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and remain active throughout the shift
• $16.32-$22.03 per hour
• Up to 8 hours of paid community volunteer time annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (30+ hours per week)
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance (30+ hours per week)
• Pet insurance options
• 401(k) with up to 3% company match
• Birthday and service anniversary recognition

Why The Merc?

At The Merc Co+op, we're more than a grocery store. We're a community-owned cooperative focused on making fresh, local, and healthy food accessible to everyone. Our team members help create a welcoming place where customers, owners, and staff work together to strengthen the community we serve.

Whether you're helping prepare a meal for a busy family, training a new teammate, or supporting local food producers, your work helps make healthy food more accessible and our community stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Merc Co+op is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe our differences make us stronger and encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.