Position Summary
The Culinary Production Specialist is responsible for preparing high-quality meals through efficient batch cooking, food preparation, meal assembly, and production planning. This position supports breakfast, lunch, dinner, retail operations, catering, and special events while maintaining consistency, quality, and exceptional food safety standards.
Primary Responsibilities
Culinary Production
- Prepare high-quality menu items utilizing recipes and production sheets.
- Execute daily food production for breakfast, lunch, dinner, retail, and catering operations.
- Perform batch cooking while maintaining product quality, consistency, and presentation.
- Prepare soups, sauces, proteins, vegetables, starches, desserts, and specialty menu items.
- Ensure timely production and replenishment throughout meal service.
- Maintain proper portion control and recipe adherence.
Food Preparation
- Perform daily prep work including vegetable preparation, protein fabrication, sauces, soups, baked items, and grab-and-go production.
- Utilize proper culinary techniques including roasting, grilling, sautéing, poaching, braising, baking, steaming, and frying.
- Prepare menu items for multiple service periods while maintaining freshness and quality.
- Assist in daily production planning to ensure adequate inventory for scheduled meals and events.
Meal Service & Station Setup
- Prepare and set up serving lines prior to meal service.
- Ensure food is presented attractively and maintained at proper temperatures.
- Monitor serving lines during meal periods and replenish products as needed.
- Assist with station breakdown, cleaning, and preparation for the next service period.
- Maintain an organized and efficient production environment.
Catering & Special Events
- Assist with food preparation for campus catering events.
- Prepare buffet presentations, boxed meals, receptions, and special functions.
- Ensure catering orders are accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
- Assist with event setup, execution, and breakdown.
- Support special campus events throughout the academic year.
Food Safety & Sanitation
- Maintain strict adherence to ServSafe and HACCP food safety standards.
- Follow all local, state, and federal health regulations.
- Monitor food temperatures during preparation, holding, and service.
- Maintain sanitation standards throughout production areas.
- Properly label, rotate, and store food using FIFO inventory practices.
- Ensure workstations, equipment, and storage areas remain clean and organized.
Inventory & Production Support
- Assist with receiving deliveries and verifying product quality.
- Rotate inventory and organize storage areas.
- Report product shortages and equipment concerns.
- Assist with monthly inventories and production forecasting.
- Support waste reduction initiatives through proper production planning.
Team Support
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Chef, Food Service Director, and culinary team.
- Assist with training student employees and new staff members.
- Promote teamwork and maintain a positive kitchen culture.
- Provide leadership during weekend and evening production as assigned.
- Maintain professionalism while working efficiently under pressure.
Qualifications
- Previous experience in high-volume food service, collegiate dining, healthcare, catering, hotel, restaurant, or institutional food service preferred.
- Strong knowledge of batch cooking and production kitchen operations.
- Experience preparing meals from standardized recipes.
- Excellent knife skills and food preparation techniques.
- Ability to multitask while maintaining quality and consistency.
- Knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Dependable attendance and positive attitude.
Preferred Qualifications
- ServSafe Food Protection Certification (or ability to obtain).
- Catering production experience.
- Scratch cooking experience.
- High-volume institutional or collegiate dining experience.
- Experience supervising or mentoring employees.
- Understanding of food cost awareness and waste reduction.
- Experience with production records and standardized recipes.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Lift up to 50 pounds.
- Work in hot and cold kitchen environments.
- Perform repetitive chopping, slicing, lifting, and food preparation tasks.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area throughout each shift.
Why Join Pioneer College Caterers?
Join a culinary team dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences to the Cairn University community. This position offers the opportunity to showcase your culinary talents while working in a collaborative environment that values teamwork, quality, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
If you're passionate about great food, enjoy working in a high-energy kitchen, and take pride in producing outstanding meals, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
