Sous Chef - Buyer

New Seasons Market; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading grocery chain seeks a Sous Chef - Buyer in Oregon to manage inventory and assist with food preparation. Ideal candidates will have culinary experience, be customer-focused, and demonstrate strong supervisory skills in a fast-paced environment. Join a team committed to community and exceptional food service.

Benefits

30% staff shopping discount

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

PTO accrual from first day

401(k) program

Paid holidays

Volunteering paid time

Reimbursement for dinner on birthdays

Qualifications

• 2+ years food prep and cooking experience in a high-volume setting.
• Prior ordering/inventory management experience required.
• Understanding of culinary terminology and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Orders products and maintains inventory for Prepared Foods.
• Guides and trains department staff, ensuring quality standards.
• Works on cook-to-order stations and assists in food production.

Skills

Customer service

Food preparation

Inventory management

Supervisory skills

Knife skills

Problem-solving

Education

Culinary training or equivalent experience

Tools

Industrial kitchen equipment

Job description

University Park - New Seasons Market, Portland, Oregon, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Monday, May 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM

New Seasons Market began in 2000 as a neighborhood market, a place where local communities can come together to connect with where their food comes from. A friendly, inviting place that honors its region’s farmers, ranchers, growers and makers.

Today we are part of Good Food Holdings; a collection of regional specialty grocers committed to serving our communities with the highest quality of products and great service, where our goal remains the same: to build community through good food. Accordingly, we seek skilled team members who share the same commitments and who appreciate the fact that New Seasons Market celebrates diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Job Title: Sous Chef - Buyer
Department: Prepared Foods
Job Region: Oregon / SW Washington
Reports-To: Prepared Foods Manager
Exemption Status (typically): Non-Exempt
Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year. Our in-store positions are likely to include evening, weekend, and holiday shifts per the needs of the business. Must complete and maintain any required food and work safety trainings/certifications.

About the role: Assists with the coordination and execution of the production of Prepared Foods products, including ordering and inventory control, and with department operations. Provides exceptional customer service and contributes to a positive and collaborative team environment.

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner by seeking opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Works a schedule that is informed by the needs of the business and may be subject to change seasonally or due to varying staffing needs and demonstrates reliable and predictable attendance, in accordance with attendance policy and all applicable laws.
• Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department and whole store as needed.
• Demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach to problems or concerns.
• Represents company values. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company “Speak Up & Listen” culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources.Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and values and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness, maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making in completing job-related tasks, in behaviors in the workplace, and in interactions with co-workers, customers, and the community.
• Consistently utilizes the DEI lens in work tasks and when working with other teams and stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities:

• Orders Prepared Foods products and ingredients according to anticipated business needs. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve business goals.
• Guides the work of department staff, including cooks and prep cook/dishwashers, including prioritizing and assigning work, training staff, and ensuring quality standards are met and tasks are completed.
• Maintains awareness of current ads, promotions, holidays and events and adjusts orders accordingly. Assists Store Chef with planning production.
• Works sauté line, grill, pizza oven and other cook to order stations.
• Assists Store Chef with the coordination and execution of the production of Prepared Foods products. Follows company provided recipes and specifications in order to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Partners with Store Chef to adjust production based on business needs. Maintains production levels and updates production guide.
• Reports quality, consistency and production issues to Store Chef or department manager.
• Ensures department compliance with all company organic standards.
• Completes customer special orders thoroughly and provides follow-through as needed.
• Receives and unloads merchandise; checks quality, count and condition. Communicates any issues to management and merchandising team.
• Stocks and rotates products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
• Maintains the organization, rotation and cleanliness of backstock areas.
• Prepares food for all Prepared Foods stations and cases.
• Works with attention to labeling, dating, storage, expiration dates and food quality.
• Processes customers’ made-to-order items accurately and expeditiously.
• Assists customers with product selection, packaging, and labeling as needed. Shares product knowledge with customers. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
• Demonstrates understanding of culinary terminology, equipment, techniques, units of weight, measurement and volume, and skills to make accurate conversions for large scale production.
• Follows company procedures for processing invoices, transfers and credits.
• Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.

Tools and Equipment Used (not all-inclusive): This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (blast chiller, robot coupe, blender, slicer, mixer, kitchen smallwares, kettle, pallet jack, knife, range, thermometer, dishwasher, scale, oven, grill , cart, computer, and office equipment) basic housekeeping / janitorial and standard office equipment.

• This position works at a *medium level. Requiredfrequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing, walking, bending, crouching, and stooping throughout shift.Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders.
• Frequently required to use hands and wrists for grabbing, twisting and pulling.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

*Medium means the worker can occasionally (1 – 33%) lift 50 pounds and can lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds frequently (34 – 66%).

What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Previous customer service, food service such as restaurants or catering, retail or grocery experience required.
• 2 + years food preparation and cooking experience required, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Previous ordering/inventory management experience required.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
• Solid knife skills required. Previous large batch food preparation or production experience required.
• Familiarity with culinary terminology and techniques and industry standard equipment preferred.
• Basic math and computation skills required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, with skills to learn new computer programs and systems. Experience in recipe costing, inventory and ordering systems a plus.
• Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
• Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions and recipes.

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, depending on location may have stairs or elevators, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will offer reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

Benefits Information

All staff have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our 30% staff shopping discount. Full-time, regular-status staff that regularly work 24 hours or more per week and have worked for 60 days are eligible for medical, dental, vision, pre-tax spending accounts, life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), and disability benefits. Full-time, part-time, and temporary staff who have worked for 60 days and are at least 21 years of age may participate in the 401(k) program. Employees begin accruing PTO on their first day of employment; the amount they accrue depends on hours worked and tenure. Staff may be eligible for paid holidays, depending on schedule and tenure. Additional benefits include supplemental leave pay (such as parental or bereavement), a store incentive program based on financial & operational goals, paid time for volunteering at a 501(c)3 non-profit, discounts on some forms of public transportation, adoption assistance, and up to $40 reimbursement for dinner out or New Seasons Market groceries for their birthday.

University Park - New Seasons Market, Portland, Oregon, United States of America