Food and Beverage Supervisor/Lead Cook

The City of Elk River is seeking a skilled, experienced culinary professional to lead food and beverage service operations at The Overlook in the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. This position demands high-quality service requiring leadership, coordination of operational needs, and expertise. Position manages food and beverage prep, concessions, the Overlook lounge, and the catering services to ensure exceptional guest experiences at a busy community venue. Candidate is required to have a valid Minnesota driver’s license and good driving record; High school diploma or equivalent; Five years of food preparation work experience OR an associate degree in culinary or hospitality plus two years of food preparation work experience; Current Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager credential or the ability to obtain it within the first 30 days of employment; and two years of supervisor experience. (Candidates who do not clearly demonstrate they meet the minimum qualifications on their resume will not be considered). This is an exempt position with hours that vary and includes nights and weekends. Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in culinary or hospitality; experience in a fast-food or catering environment; and experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring young adults. Starting salary is $74,667 on an annual basis. 2026 salary range is $74,667-$87,843. The City provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, life, STD/LTD insurance, flexible spending plan, Public Sector Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), generous leave plans including ESST, free Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), pension thru MN Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and more for qualified employees. Application Deadline: Interested candidates must complete and submit the online line application by Monday, January 19, 2026. If you require a particular accommodation with the application process, please contact Human Resources at 763.635.1000. The City of Elk River is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ** Communication for this position will be through email. You will receive an email shortly after you complete your application. If you do not receive this email, check your spam/junk folder. If the email is there, mark the email as Not Spam (or however this works with your provider) so that you can stay informed as we go through this hiring process. ** Click here for Important Facts about Information on your Employment Application Food and Beverage Supervisor/Lead Cook Position DescriptionDepartment/Division: Business Services/Multi-purpose Facility Immediate Supervisor: Community Event Center Manager Pay Grade: 8E FLSA Status: Exempt Last Updated: (date) 12/2025 Positions Supervised: Café Worker, Event Worker, Bartender Position Summary The Food and Beverage Supervisor/Lead Cook is responsible for leading team members to provide exceptional guest service and coordinating operational needs including, but not limited to, food and beverage preparation and supervision of the café, lounge, and catering services. Essential FunctionsPerforms management of food and beverage service. Oversees and provides food preparation and beverage service for café, lounge, and catering services for facility renters. Ensures all food is prepared properly and meets quality and safety standards. Ensures legal liquor sales. Maintains inventory and orders replacement supplies and ingredients as necessary. Creates profitable menus consistent with user groups expectations. Managing food costs, portion sizes, and waste to meet budget requirements. Analyzes food costs and adjusts menu pricing if necessary. Works closely with facility management team to align goals, preferences, and changes. Addresses any issues in areas of supervision including staff conflicts, equipment malfunctions, supply shortages, etc. Resolves problems quickly to ensure that service runs smoothly. Performs supervision. Assigns duties, evaluates, and documents job performance of team members. Enforces city cash handling procedures and investigates money or inventory discrepancies. Trains and monitors team members on all aspects of their jobs such as: Food preparation, presentation, and portion sizes. Maintaining proper par inventory levels throughout shift. Safe kitchen equipment operation. Cleaning and maintenance of area. Legal alcohol sales. Point-of-sale operation. Coordinates vendor relationships. Negotiates food procurement pricing and delivery. Establishes expectations for service needs at the location. Ensures adherence to safeguards for employees and customers. Ensures all policies, procedures, and practices are followed, including alcohol service compliance, food handling/sanitation guidelines, and general safety policies and procedures. Maintains the kitchen, equipment, and surrounding areas to conditions that meet city standards and health code regulations. Facilitates team member food safety trainings. Maintains a clean and organized kitchen. Ensures proper storage and handling of food to avoid contamination. Works during required events and ensures appropriate coverage. Required to work during evenings and weekend events of Elk River High School, Elk River Youth Hockey, and Squatch games and tournaments. Works catering and other designated events. Works any open shifts to ensure location is fully operational and city standard pertaining to speed of service and guest satisfaction are met. Performs other essential job duties as directed. Regular and timely work attendance. Follows all safety procedures and participates in safety training. Sets up and takes down chairs, tables, etc., for meetings. Keeps supervisor informed of important developments to effectively maintain operations. Takes initiative to perform other duties or assume other responsibilities as time allows. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Minimum QualificationsKnowledge of basic food handling, sanitation, and customer service. Fluent knowledge with point of sale and scheduling software. Knowledge of the use and maintenance of a variety of kitchen equipment. Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office products, scheduling software, point of sale, and digital display technologies. Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff, vendors, and guests in a clear, business-like, effective, and respectful manner. Ability to work as a team leader as well as take direction from supervisor. Ability to calculate basic math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages) as they relate to POS transactions, cash reconciliation, and product inventory. Ability to work well in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment. Ability to handle cash accurately and responsibly. Ability to lift 50 pounds. Minimum QualificationsValid Minnesota driver’s license and good driving record. High school diploma or equivalent. Five years of food preparation work experience OR an associate degree in culinary or hospitality plus two years of food preparation work experience. Current Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager credential or ability to obtain within the first 30 days of employment. Two years of supervisor experience Preferred QualificationsBachelor’s degree in culinary or hospitality. Experience in a fast-food or catering environment. Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring young adults. Physical RequirementsESSENTIAL Standing or Walking Weekly or Monthly Working in Confined Spaces Daily Operating a Vehicle Daily Exposure to Temperature Extremes Daily Equipment Operation Frequently Sense of Smell Frequently Large Motor Skills Frequently Fine Motor Skills Frequently Computer/Typewriter Operation Daily Depth Vision Frequently Peripheral Vision Frequently Near Vision 1-4 Times per Year HIGHLY IMPORTANT Ability to Taste Frequently Good Hearing 1-4 Times per Year Sense of Touch 1-4 Times per Year Good Vision 1-4 Times per Year Carrying Objects Occasionally Ability to lift 50 lbs. Frequently Twisting/Turning Weekly or Monthly Repetitive Movements Weekly or Monthly Bending or Stooping Weekly or Monthly MODERATELY IMPORTANT Crouching or Kneeling Weekly or Monthly Lifting Objects above Shoulder Weekly or Monthly Lifting Objects Knee to Waist Occasionally Lifting Objects Floor to Knee Occasionally Exposure to Fire and Smoke Occasionally Exposure to Noise Frequently Far Vision Frequently This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River’s discretion to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time. This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.Application Deadline Interested candidates must complete and submit the online line application by Monday, January 19,2026. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.