Cafe Chef

Meet Us: King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration.  Through traditional and new media, in-person and virtual education, we strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike.  We're not going anywhere - we've been part of the family since 1790. We work to build stronger communities and increase access and the connection to real foods. We take pride in our responsible sourcing and our "never bleached" guarantee. And we work closely with farmers, millers, and suppliers in a continued commitment toward sustainability. Our wheat flour is grown and milled right here in the United States. Flour this good uses only the purest ingredients, free from GMOs.  As a founding B Corporation, we are committed to using the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. We believe every employee's contributions make our company what it is: vibrant, successful, and committed to spreading the joy of baking. We are a welcoming and inclusive 100% employee-owned company.

The Position: The Cafe Chef is responsible for leading and overseeing the daily operations of the Kitchen at King Arthur Baking Company’s flagship location in Norwich VT. The Café Chef develops and implements the kitchen menu in alignment with company food philosophy and supervises the team to prepare and deliver high quality products in efficient and customer-focused manners.  

The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(K) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.  

The Location: Norwich, VT; onsite daily.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and manages the Kitchen team. Works variety of shifts to support daily production and operations.
• Monitors food costs and costs of goods in alignment with budget. Executes and verifies month-end inventories to ensure accurate cost controls and minimize waste.
• Oversees timely and effective team staffing, hiring, and training in support of the needs of the business.
• Plans, coordinates, and develops seasonal café and catering menus.
• Identifies opportunities to improve, innovate and expand the café business. Conducts Quarterly reviews to assess and report on performance. Works cross-functionally with Bakery and Cafe to execute program initiatives.
• Works with the Food Safety Team to ensure compliance with all required regulations & certifications (Serv Safe, OSHA, Food Quality) and ensures that the kitchen team adheres to all policies and procedures.
• Partners with AGM (Associate General Manager) in annual budget process. Manages and monitors actual performance to budget and prior years.
• Participates in monthly financial reviews, research variances, and develops corrective action plans as necessary.
• Creates a culture of accountability by ensuring that operational and performance metrics are met.

Experience and Education

• Culinary Degree or professional equivalent
• 3-5 years’ experience leading a high performing food service team in a restaurant/ café environment.
• Experience in creating and executing menus including breakfast, light lunch options typical of cafe offerings.
• Serv Safe certification.
• We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Competencies

• Leadership: Strong leadership skills, including ability to set clear measurable goals and communicate effectively with internal business partners and staff. This involves skills such as hiring and training, delegating tasks, providing feedback and fostering a positive work environment to build trust, collaborate, and gain buy-in.
• Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is essential for liaising with suppliers, coordinating with staff, and responding to customer inquiries. Ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and tact. Strong communication skills facilitate smooth coordination between different stakeholders.
• Time Management and Attention to Detail: Skill in coordinating operations, ensuring consistency and quality standards. Proficiency in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, particularly during busy service hours. Ensuring timely preparation and delivery of food without compromising quality.
• Kitchen Management and Organization: The ability to efficiently organize and coordinate various aspects of the kitchen operations, including scheduling, training, conflict resolution, daily task management, purchasing and inventory control. Maintain high standards of hygiene and safety in the kitchen. Efficient inventory and cost control while minimizing waste.
• Problem-solving and Decision-making Abilities: Quick thinking and resourcefulness are valuable traits for addressing unexpected challenges, such as last-minute order changes, equipment malfunctions, or supply shortages. Comfort with making effective decisions under pressure.
• Customer Service: Uphold a customer-centric approach to ensure outstanding experience, respond to customer feedback, and resolve issues. Implement strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Maintain strong vendor relationships.

Success Factors

• Genuine enthusiasm for the King Arthur’s mission and products and a commitment to living our values
• Results driven: Holds self and team accountable to meeting and exceeding goals. Approaches their work with curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset.
• Is community minded gets involved, volunteers

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical requirements

• Must be able to work for long periods of time while standing
• Must be physically able to stoop, move quickly, and lift weights up to 50 lbs
• Used hands to handle, control, feel objects, tools and controls
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to operate commercial kitchen equipment
• Repeat the same movements
• Ability to regularly work in a kitchen environment where allergens may be present
• Ability to regularly touch and taste food products which may contain allergens

Work environment

• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment where temperatures can vary, Will work around knives and slicers . The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud dependent on specific work site and/or equipment operation as well as customer traffic in adjacent area.

Safety

• Understand that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization
• Responsible for providing a safe and ergonomically sound work environment, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting these conditions immediately
• Engage in safety and compliance training programs and encourage 100% team participation in same

Uniform

• Chef coat, chef pants, hat and tee shirt (provided)
• Closed Toe Footwear (stipend provided)

Supervision

• Kitchen Team: sous chef, cooks, Kitchen Associates

Travel

• N/A

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive and safe work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. As a proud Benefit Corporation, King Arthur Baking expects our employees to adhere to company-wide green norms and remain educated on company impact campaigns.

There's room at our table for you  Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking Company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position. 

*Amounts vary based on achievement of financial targets. Participation based on hire date and program entry date.