Production Cook

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Director of Culinary Operations, the Production Cook is a full-time position responsible for preparing large quantities of food for various meal programs. This role prepares and/or directs the preparation of food served, complying with all applicable sanitation, health, and personal hygiene standards, and following established food production programs and procedures. The Production Cook is also responsible for the appropriate use of facility supplies and equipment to minimize loss, waste, and fraud.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are considered essential functions of this position. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Prepares or directs the preparation of food served in accordance with established production procedures and systems, following standardized recipes, appropriate serving sizes, and menus directed by the Executive Chef.
• Determines the amount and type of food and supplies required using production systems, ensuring availability of supplies and food, or approved substitutions, in adequate time for preparation.
• Ensures compliance with menus, recipes, production schedules, and quality standards.
• Complies with established sanitation, personal hygiene, and health standards, observing proper food preparation and handling techniques.
• Stores food properly and safely, marking the date and item, and ensures proper quality and quantity of food packaged and/or served.
• Maintains food storage areas, including thawing preparation for meal items, and maintains the food log.
• Maintains temperature logs for hot, cold, and sanitation tracking.
• Ensures all kitchen equipment is in good working condition, and keeps the work area neat and clean at all times, cleaning and maintaining equipment used in food preparation.
• Assists with oversight of daily food inventory orders and assists with completion of daily tracking sheets, invoices, and purchase orders.
• Assists with maintenance of the kitchen area, including cleaning.
• Manages confidential information.
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance, including occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education & Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of two years of prior food handling or food service work required.
• Prior experience in a high-volume kitchen preferred.
• An ability to obtain a food handler's permit is required.
• Valid driver's license required.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to speak to large groups of people and train others on specific tasks.
• Excellent food handling and preparation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information.
• Ability to meet the company's production and quality standards.
• Professional personal appearance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in various situations.
• Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and a passion for community members impacted by our organization.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements listed are representative of those needed to perform the essential duties of this position successfully. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Three Square will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, absent undue hardship, to enable them to perform the essential functions of the role.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time on hard and, at times, wet kitchen flooring.
• Ability to use hands and fingers continually for food preparation, chopping, mixing, plating, and operating kitchen equipment.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach frequently while preparing food and accessing storage areas.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 pounds, including food products, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Ability to safely operate and work near commercial kitchen equipment, including ovens, stoves, slicers, mixers, and dishwashing equipment.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, steam, cold storage temperatures, and strong food odors for extended periods.
• Close vision required to read labels, recipes, and safety information; ability to distinguish differences in food quality, temperature indicators, and expiration dates.
• Ability to talk, hear, and smell continually, including the ability to detect spoiled or unsafe food products.
• Must be able to safely wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hairnets, gloves, aprons, and non-slip footwear, for extended periods.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a commercial kitchen and food production environment, with exposure to hot equipment, open flames, steam, and varying temperatures.
• May frequently enter and exit walk-in coolers and freezers, with exposure to extreme temperature variations.
• The work environment can be loud due to kitchen equipment, ventilation systems, and food production activity.
• Workspace may be wet or slippery due to food preparation, washing, and cleaning activities.
• Exposure to food allergens, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation agents used in food safety procedures.
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions when receiving deliveries or moving between the kitchen and warehouse areas.

Why You Will Love Working Here

Joining Three Square means becoming part of a community-driven mission where your work truly matters, and where together, we can feed everyone. Every task you do, big or small, directly contributes to our mission of pursuing a hunger-free community. You will be a part of a team that shows up for our neighbors, works alongside dedicated program partners, and sees the tangible impact of their work reflected in the lives of the people we serve.

What Benefits Do We Offer?

Pay & Financial Wellness: Competitive pay and free Financial Advice Services through Forthright Partners - because your financial health matters beyond your paycheck.

Time to Recharge: We offer a generous PTO package, plus 16 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday, so that you can show up as your best self.

Health & Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums for employee-only coverage, optional supplemental coverage including Accident, Critical Illness, Voluntary Life, and Pet Insurance, and company-paid access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for when life gets complicated.

Plan for the Future: A 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with up to 3% employer match to help you build the financial future you deserve.

And So Much More: This is just the beginning! We're always looking for new ways to support our team!

Three Square is an equal opportunity employer.