Central Production Lead Chef

$23.00 - $27.00 PER HOUR
GENERAL PURPOSE:
The purpose of this position is to maintain high-quality food standards for all chef-prepared products in Harmons’ Central Production Facility, in addition to educating and training Central Production Cooks and Prep Cooks. This position ensures consistency, safety, and efficiency in large-scale food production, supporting Harmons’ commitment to excellence across all store locations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Follows established facility policies and procedures
Ensures the quality and freshness of all products and services the facility provides
Prepare and cook a variety of foods following Harmons’ recipes and production schedules
Operate industrial kitchen equipment such as tilting kettles, steamers, ovens, and mixers safely and efficiently
Batch cook products to precise specifications to ensure consistency across all locations
Adhere strictly to Harmons’ Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Food Safety procedures
Ensure proper cooking, cooling, storage, and labeling of finished products to maintain food safety standards
Ensures the workstations are clean and sanitized daily in compliance with company and regulatory sanitation requirements
Monitor cooking processes to ensure proper temperatures, textures, and flavor profiles
Conduct taste tests and visual inspections to verify product quality
Immediately report any quality deviations or equipment issues to supervisor
Coordinate with Cooks, Prep Cooks, and other team members to maintain efficient production flow
Communicate production needs and issues to the Quality Control team or Manager of Central Production
Trains Central Production Cooks and Prep Cooks
Complete cooking and cooling logs as required by Harmons’ food safety standards
Writing production sheets based on needs and past and projected sales
Responsible for inventory and ordering products
Provides honest, direct, and constant feedback to associates regarding their performance and areas of improvement
Assists as needed to ensure the success of the facility as a whole

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:

Consistent and daily interaction with facility associates

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:
A high school diploma or GED preferred; two-year college or technical school degree preferred; 1–3 years of experience in a commercial or institutional kitchen environment; or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Current food handler’s permit
Must enjoy working with and handling fresh food products
Should have a passion for preparing, cooking, and eating food particularly kitchen items
Have a wide range of knowledge in food, ingredients, knife skills, and cooking techniques
Prior experience in large-scale or batch cooking preferred
Ability to use good judgment and to make decisions quickly and independently
Familiarity with central kitchen operations is a plus
Knowledge of food production techniques and safe food handling practices
Familiarity with food safety standards and GMPs
Excellent organization and planning skills
Ability to read and follow recipes
Basic math skills
Ability to interpret policies and procedures
Must possess integrity, a positive attitude, be mission-driven, and be self-directed with a demonstrated passion for Harmons’ mission and commitment to working collaboratively
Ability to handle conflict professionally and appropriately
Must possess the ability to accept constructive review and be accountable for one’s own success as well as the success of your team
Required to make logical, significant decisions using general, recognized skills and techniques
Continually strives to be product minded, customer minded, personnel minded, detailed, consistent, and forward focused
Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is generally performed in a safe and comfortable facility environment with the possibility of frequent exposure to hot, cold, and wet conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to grasp, push, pull, carry, stoop, twist, crouch, and reach; perform tasks requiring repetitive motion and eye, hand, and foot coordination; hear and respond to customer inquiries. Also requires standing, walking, and bending throughout the entire workday and the ability to maneuver heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds from location to location.