Cook

Cleveland, OH, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Hourly

Exact $21.00

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Holiday pay

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

wellness programs

Childcare assistance

Tuition Assistance

Student Loan Assistance

short-term disability

long-term disability

Life insurance

Job Description

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, dedicated to serving communities across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland, and Richland counties. In 2024, the Food Bank provided over 50 million meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity, making a critical impact on the community. The organization is mission-driven, focusing on providing nutritious food and essential resources so that neighbors facing hunger are empowered to thrive. With a strong commitment to community collaboration, the Food Bank works alongside local partners to address the root causes of hunger and ensure that healthy food is accessible to all. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank fosters a supportive culture centered on continuous learning and professional development, encouraging employees to grow and make meaningful contributions in their roles. Employees enjoy competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off and holiday pay starting from day one, affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement plan, wellness programs, childcare assistance, tuition and student loan assistance, as well as short-term and long-term disability coverage and life insurance. This rewarding career opportunity not only offers financial stability but also the chance to positively impact the lives of many in the community while enhancing personal and professional growth.

The role available is for a Kitchen Production Worker, responsible for preparing quality meals and meal components in a safe, efficient, and accurate manner. This position requires adherence to food safety standards and sanitation protocols, ensuring that all meals meet the specified quality and portion requirements based on standard formulations and daily production plans. Key responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness and organization of the assigned workstation, complying with HACCP documentation and safe food handling practices, measuring and mixing ingredients, seasoning foods, and reporting any issues such as product loss, damage, or equipment malfunction to the Kitchen Manager. The Kitchen Production Worker is also expected to use kitchen equipment like ovens, kettles, tilt skillets, and can openers safely and effectively. Additionally, the role involves documenting production steps for compliance with regulations, evaluating food quality through appearance, smell, and taste when appropriate, packaging meals accurately with correct labeling, moving finished products to the proper storage areas, and assisting with order cart organization and expediting. The position supports continuous improvement initiatives within the Food Bank, including participation in Lean processes, Kaizen events, or 5S campaigns aimed at optimizing operations. This role demands attention to detail, a commitment to safety, a team-oriented approach, and a passion for making a difference in the community. The anticipated salary is $21 per hour, reflecting the organization's dedication to fair compensation for essential work. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is proud to be recognized as a North Coast 99 employer from 2017 through 2025, underscoring its commitment to workplace excellence and inclusive organizational culture. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States without visa sponsorship and will undergo background checks, drug screenings, physical exams, and employment verification as part of the hiring process.

Job Requirements

Ability to remain in a stationary position on seldom occasions
Ability to move about inside the office and to access truck cab and deliver product constantly
Ability to operate a computer or other office productivity machinery constantly
Ability to ascend/descend stairs to access work spaces on seldom occasions
Ability to position or move body to access filing cabinets or other work equipment frequently
Ability to constantly exchange accurate information, take and give direction and hear safety warnings
Ability to constantly inspect product, judge distance between equipment, shelves and permanent structures
Ability to constantly detect spoiled product or quality of meals
Ability to move office equipment/supplies constantly
Ability to lift 25-50 lbs on a regular basis
Frequent exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts
Ability to work in a moderate noise environment

Job Qualifications

HS Diploma or GED preferred
Minimum one to two years cooking in a high-volume food service setting
ServSafe Certified preferred but not required
Commitment to making interactions across different cultures and backgrounds a strength of the organization as demonstrated through work, life or community experience

Job Duties

Responsible for cleanliness and organization of assigned work station and completion of sanitation SOPs for that area
Responsible for compliance with safe food handling practices and HACCP documentation throughout the production cycle
Responsible for following a standard formulation (recipe) during production to ensure meals prepared meet quality and portion standard, and are accurate to labels
Responsible for following daily production sheet and completing all meal components assigned to that station to ensure orders are filled accurately
Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipe to prepare order items
Seasons foods during mixing and cooking
Report loss/damaged or product that appears unsafe
Report maintenance or equipment issues to Kitchen Manager
Participate in general kitchen sanitation as required
Checking materials to ensure the quantities and items are correct prior to starting production
Effectively utilize materials throughout the production process to minimize loss/waste
Inspecting ingredient items during the entire cooking process to ensure quality and food safety
Washing, cutting, peeling, mixing, or proportioning, as well as seasoning as needed and in accordance with standard formulation
Operating kitchen equipment (ovens, kettles, tilt skillet, can openers) as required and in a safe effective manner
Documenting any/all required steps in the production process for ODA and HACCP where applicable
During production/cooking, evaluating food items to ensure proper appearance/smell
Tasting food components where applicable to ensure quality
Accurately packaging food items into pan/tray/containers to meet specific labeling requirements for portions
Apply all applicable ingredient and lot labels to finished products, and/or labeling to product that will be held for future production
Move all finished meal components to proper storage area, or order cart as required
Participate in order cart expediting process
Assist other stations as required to complete production assignments
Actively support and champion initiatives aimed at driving continuous improvement throughout the organization
May participate in LEAN council, a kaizen, 5S campaign or other process improvement efforts to support continuous improvement and improved processes within the food bank
Performs other duties and special projects related to side work as assigned