Cook Lead

St. Louis, MO, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Night Shifts

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

vision coverage

Paid Time Off

tuition support

Matched retirement plans

collaborative work environment

Job Description

Mercy Hospital St. Louis is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to providing exceptional medical services and compassionate care to patients and their families. As part of the greater Mercy health system, the hospital combines innovative technology with a mission-centered culture to ensure that every staff member feels valued and empowered. Mercy's Nutrition Services department plays a critical role in maintaining patient health and satisfaction by delivering high-quality food services that meet diverse dietary needs within the hospital setting. The hospital is well-known for its commitment to fostering a supportive workplace where teamwork, professional growth, and patient-focused service are prioritized. Employees at Mercy enjoy comprehensive benefits, a collaborative work environment, and numerous opportunities for career advancement.

The Lead Cook position at Mercy Hospital St. Louis represents a unique opportunity for experienced culinary professionals who seek a fulfilling leadership role within a fast-paced and mission-driven healthcare environment. This full-time, night shift role requires a skilled individual capable of coordinating daily food production efforts, ensuring strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards, and leading a team of Nutrition Services coworkers with professionalism and integrity. The Lead Cook will manage the preparation of both hot and cold food items, emphasizing quality and presentation to support patient nutritional needs as well as catering special hospital events. This role is vital in maintaining operational efficiency while fostering a positive and productive workplace atmosphere. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills, effectively guiding coworkers through training and daily responsibilities with a focus on teamwork and respect. By embodying the hospital's values and serving as a role model, the Lead Cook will help sustain Mercy's reputation for delivering top-tier food service for patients, visitors, and staff alike, all while supporting departmental readiness for health inspections and quality audits. This position requires flexibility, strong organizational abilities, and a dedication to continuous improvement within a dynamic healthcare food service environment.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
previous hospital, healthcare, or institutional food service experience
prior leadership, lead, or training experience in food service
Serve Safe Manager Certification required within 90 days of hire
ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, slicers, and food processors
strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced healthcare environment

Job Qualifications

Serve Safe Manager Certification within 90 days of hire (St. Louis market requirement)
ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment, including ovens, slicers, and food processors
strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced healthcare environment
high school diploma or equivalent
previous hospital, healthcare, or institutional food service experience
prior leadership, lead, or training experience in food service
knowledge of therapeutic diets, food production systems, and inventory management

Job Duties

Serve as a lead resource for Nutrition Services staff, providing coaching, training, and day-to-day guidance
assist with onboarding and training new coworkers
foster teamwork and collaboration across shifts while promoting a respectful and professional work environment
serve as a liaison between management and frontline staff
monitor productivity and workflow to ensure efficient departmental operations
prepare hot and cold food items according to standardized recipes and production schedules
demonstrate knowledge of regular and modified diets to support patient nutritional needs
ensure foods are attractively presented and meet quality expectations
monitor production levels and make adjustments to minimize overproduction and waste
assist with recipe development and menu execution as assigned
support special events and catering functions when needed
follow all food safety, infection prevention, and sanitation standards
demonstrate safe handling of food, supplies, and kitchen equipment
monitor and document food and equipment temperatures according to policy
utilize proper food storage and inventory rotation procedures, including FIFO practices
maintain a clean and organized work environment using clean as you go principles
support departmental readiness for health inspections and quality audits
maintain professional, courteous, and respectful interactions with patients, visitors, coworkers, and leadership
communicate effectively regarding food quality, production concerns, and equipment issues
accept and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement
maintain confidentiality and comply with all hospital policies and procedures
adhere to all Mercy safety policies, including fire, severe weather, infection prevention, and environmental safety procedures
follow incident reporting and risk management protocols
maintain compliance with patient rights and confidentiality regulations
demonstrate knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and safe workplace practices