Job Overview
FOOD PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Empanadas Meraki LLC is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented Food Production Assistant to support our growing Colombian food business. This is a hands-on position in a small commercial kitchen where care, teamwork, cleanliness and consistency are essential.
LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENT
This is an in-person position at Millstone Kitchen, 4237 Prices Fork Road, Suite C, Blacksburg, VA. Public transportation does not provide direct service to this location. Candidates must have reliable transportation to and from every scheduled shift and any events they agree to work.
POSITION DETAILS
- Part-time position
- Approximately 10 hours per week
- $15.00 per hour
- Flexible schedule
- Most kitchen shifts take place Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM
- Additional hours may be available during festivals, community events and high-production periods
- Paid, hands-on training will be provided
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with preparing ingredients and producing handcrafted empanadas and other Colombian foods
- Follow recipes, measurements and portioning standards to maintain product consistency
- Assemble, package, label and properly store finished products
- Safely use kitchen tools and equipment after receiving training
- Maintain clean and organized work areas, utensils, equipment and packaging stations
- Follow food safety, hygiene and sanitation procedures
- Assist with inventory organization and preparation for production days
- Work efficiently and communicate with other team members
- Occasionally assist with festival or community-event setup, food service, customer service and cleanup, depending on availability
QUALIFICATIONS
- Dependable, punctual and able to follow instructions
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a small team
- Able to stand for extended periods and safely perform repetitive kitchen tasks
- Basic math skills for measurements, ingredient quantities and portioning
- Reliable transportation to the kitchen and scheduled events
- Kitchen or food preparation experience is helpful but not required
- Willingness to complete required food safety training
- Ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is a plus, but not required
ABOUT EMPANADAS MERAKI
Empanadas Meraki is a Colombian food business specializing in handcrafted, gluten-free corn empanadas and traditional foods. Our mission is to share our essence through food made with soul and love.
We value care, authenticity, connection, memorable experiences and staying rooted in who we are. We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and wants to grow with our team.
Pay: From $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- This position is located at Millstone Kitchen in Blacksburg, where there is no direct public transportation. Do you have reliable transportation to and from every scheduled shift?
- Are you available to work some weekday shifts between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM?
- Our festivals and community events are scheduled as needed and may have different hours. Some begin early in the morning and end around 5:00 or 6:00 PM, while others may begin later and continue into the evening. Nearly all of our events take place on Fridays and Saturdays; Sunday events are rare. Are you generally available and willing to work some of these events when scheduled in advance?
Work Location: In person
