Farm Store Sous Chef

Agric Organics seeks a motivated and professional individual to join our growing community-oriented team as a Farmstore Deli Chef. This position is based out of our Farmstore in Western Massachusetts. Farmstore 99 is our flagship full-service retail outlet featuring organic fruits and vegetables, deli, meat, grocery items, and local foods.

As a Deli Chef, you will be an active member of the leadership team and take on key store management responsibilities including assisting with supervising day-to-day store activities, ensuring overall store performance, managing schedules, and developing operational action plans while identifying training opportunities to build and grow the team.

You should be able to cook from scratch and follow agreed recipes. You should be enthusiastic and self-motivated to provide an excellent level of service with attention to detail. Experience in food preparation in a cafe/ Restaurant/ Deli operation is essential and an interest in the current food trends is preferable.

Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation. 

·     Work as part of the team with Store Management as well as Deli Management and staff to provide the highest standard of food preparation quality and presentation.

·     Assists the direct leaders with developing and implementing action plans to improve operating results.

·     Monitor and deliver the HACCP program for the Deli to ensure effective standards in line with hygiene and quality regulations.

·     Ensure the regular and systematic cleaning and maintenance of the equipment in the Deli, kitchen, and front of the house.

·     Prepare hot and cold deli food such as vegan foods, hot foods, steamed table foods, rotisserie chicken, and fried chicken.

·     Make judgments about the flavor, taste, aroma, colors, texture, or smoothness of products to inspect products for satisfactory production quality.

·     Establish and communicate job responsibilities and performance expectations to your direct reports to ensure mutual understanding and desired results. 

·     Maintain attractive product presentation by arranging items for display.

·     Understand the overarching company strategy and communicate and model the organization's core values to create a sense of teamwork and membership among employees. 

·     Provide a friendly and customer-service-oriented attitude by greeting customers, answering questions, and taking orders by phone and in person.

·     Promote product sales through the use of suggestive selling initiatives and product arrangements.

·     Monitor the competitive environment within the community and inform the direct leader regarding adjustments necessary to maintain the company’s competitive position.

·     Provide product feedback to the direct leader, including making recommendations regarding new items to carry or those that should be discontinued.

·     Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary working and shopping environment by adhering to the company’s safety procedures.

·     Ensure store personnel adhere to inventory procedures and product handling guidelines to minimize losses. 

·     Ensure an appropriate resolution of operational customer concerns in their direct leader's absence.

·     Identify and rectify hazards, ensuring proper ergonomics and maintaining store equipment in proper working order.

·     Supervises the day-to-day operations of their team, escalating issues to the appropriate level of support and/or leadership when necessary. 

·     Ensure direct reports complete assigned responsibilities in a timely and effective manner to provide the highest level of customer service for the business.

·     Comply with all established company policies and procedures while upholding the security and confidentiality of documents and data.

·     Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Physical Demands

·     Ability to

• • stock merchandise from store receiving to shelving.
  • stand for long periods of time and to work independently on repetitive tasks (i.e. slicing and prepping the harvest to be prepared/processed) for long periods of time.  
  • place products on shelving at various heights, lift and move 50 pounds.
  • operate hazardous tools safely and equipment such as a slicer, deep fryer, etc.

·     Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Qualifications:

·     Must be 18 years of age or older to be employed for this role with a valid MA driver’s license;  

·     Ability to:  

• • work both independently and within a team environment.
  • read and operate digital equipment, meters, dials, and/or calibrated scales.
  • learn new systems, methods, or processes.
  • use non-precision and precision hand tools.
  • work well with fellow partners and promote a team environment.
  • communicate with customers effectively and partners in written and verbal form.
  • provide and lead others to provide prompt and courteous customer service.
  • develop rapport, trust, and open communication that enhance the growth and job performance of direct reports.
  • evaluate and drive performance of self and others. 
  • understand and apply management principles concerning budgeting, personnel costs, and expenses.
  • operate a cash register efficiently and accurately.
  • conform to food service sanitation practices.
  • operate equipment safely and properly, including electronic/manual hand jack, floor scrubber, and cardboard baler, and perform general cleaning duties to company standards.
  • stay organized and multi-task in a professional efficient manner, following instructions and giving attention to detail. 

·     At least one year of experience in kitchen-related work environment.

·     Cooking experience preferably in a medium to high volume environment.

·     Proficiency in the use of certain kitchen tools and cooking/processing equipment.

·     Strong level of comfort with basic math skills, specific to scaling recipes as needed.

·     Ability to stand for long periods of time and to work independently on repetitive tasks (i.e. slicing and prepping the harvest to be prepared/processed) for long periods of time.

·     Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·     Currently hold a ServSafe Manager Certification or Allergen Awareness certification, First Aid/CPR/AED certification (or comparable food handlers permit to fulfill state regulations & requirements).

·     Meet any state and federal requirements for handling SNAP and HIP transactions.

Education and Experience:

·     A minimum of 18 years of age is required with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

·     High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

·     A minimum of 1 year of related work experience is required.

·     A combination of education and experience provides equivalent knowledge.

·     Prior management experience preferred.

·     Food Handler certification is required.