Trainee Lead Cook — 6-Month Kitchen Leadership Program

Wegmans; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) match

Health care benefits

Scholarship program

LiveWell program

Job summary

Wegmans is seeking an entry-level culinary trainee to join our Restaurant Foods Kitchen. You will support the Sous Chef, learn recipes, and help maintain our high standards while developing leadership skills through a structured six-month program.

Upon successful completion, you will be placed as a Lead Cook in the Restaurant Foods Kitchen area. The role emphasizes teamwork, customer education, and hands-on growth within a dynamic, customer-focused grocery setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience as a prep or line cook.
• Food safety and quality assurance knowledge.
• Willingness to complete a 6-month structured training program.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Sous Chef in running the kitchen and managing employees.
• Follow recipes and proper cooking techniques to ensure high standards.
• Educate customers and employees on products and meal solutions.
• Manage employee performance through resources, training, and feedback.
• Note: roles may be located across multiple store locations within the region.

Skills

Cook experience

Food safety

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's in Culinary Arts

Job description

EARN A BONUS UP TO $1,500!

As a culinary leader in our kitchen, you are a team player and positive role model that ensures the development and education of the cooks. You will assist with bottom line profitability and make sure we are only serving the best products to our customers. If you are looking for an opportunity where the store is your pantry, the work is exciting and meaningful with some of the best culinarians in the industry, this could be the role for you!

This is an entry-level structured training program designed to be completed within 6 months with support from a mentor and trainer. Successful program completion will result in placement as a Lead Cook in our Restaurant Foods Kitchen area.

What will I do?

• Assist the Sous Chef in running the kitchen and managing employees, overseeing the operations in the absence of the Sous Chef
• Follow recipes and proper cooking techniques to ensure products are consistently prepared to showcase our high standards and giving our guests a meal they can’t find elsewhere
• Educate customers and employees on products, share knowledge to offer complete meal solutions and suggest ways for them to prepared meal items incorporating items from different departments.
• Manage employee performance by providing resources, training, feedback and development opportunities
• Note to Applicant: Candidates may be considered for multiple store locations within the specified region, based on current openings

Required Qualifications

• 2 or more years’ experience as a prep or line cook
• Food safety and quality assurance knowledge

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts
• Experience working ina multi-faceted food service facility, including restaurant, hotel, country club, conference center, casino, theme park, etc.

At Wegmans, we’ve always believed we can achieve our goals only if we first fulfill the needs of our people. Putting our people first and offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits and a wide range of meaningful perks is just the beginning of what defines a rewarding career at Wegmans.

Comprehensive benefits*

1. Paid time off (PTO) to help you balance your personal and work life
2. Higher premium pay rates for working overtime, on Sundays, or on a recognized holiday
3. Health care benefits that provide a high level of coverage at a low cost to you
4. Retirement plan with a 401(k) match
5. A generous scholarship program to help employees meet their educational goals
6. LiveWell Employee & Family program to support your emotional, work-life and financial wellness

Our employees have put us high on Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list every year since it was first produced in 1998. Discover what it means to work for a mission-driven, values-based company where YOU make the difference.

*Certain eligibility requirements must be satisfied, and offerings may differ based upon area or the company and/or position.

Work Environment: The physical demands of this work are classified as medium. Work includes standing, walking for prolonged periods of time without a break, repetitive hand and arm movements, bending, reaching, frequent lifting, and occasional heavy lifting, along with continuous interaction with customers and coworkers in a fast-paced environment. The average weight range of items lifted is 5 – 10 pounds with a maximum weight lifted to 50 pounds occasionally. Upper extremity repetition is moderately high and trunk movement involves moderately high twisting, bending, and pivoting. May be exposed to various allergens (things that may cause an allergic reaction).The work environment is indoors with exposure to cold temperatures (33 – 55 degrees) and near ovens and hot equipment (exceeds 135 degrees).Basic tools and equipment used include common cooking and kitchen utensils and equipment, ovens, and stove.; Managerial/supervisory experience living our values and achieving results in our 5 measures; Customer service experience, preferably in a food service, grocery, or retail setting