Kitchen Staff

Job Details: Job Location: Moscow Food Co-op Downtown - Moscow, ID, Position Type: Full-Time/Part-Time, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Restaurant - Food Service, Join Our Kitchen Team at the Moscow Food Co-op!

Do you enjoy working behind the scenes to help a busy kitchen run smoothly? The Moscow Food Co-op is looking for dependable, hardworking, and team-oriented individuals to join our Kitchen Staff. This position plays an essential role in keeping our kitchen clean, organized, stocked, and operating efficiently while supporting the production of fresh, high-quality prepared foods.

As a member of our Kitchen team, you'll:

Wash, sanitize, and organize dishes, cookware, utensils, and kitchen equipment
Operate the commercial dish machine safely and according to food safety standards
Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary dishwashing area throughout your shift
Stock kitchen supplies, dishes, and prepared food inventory throughout the department
Receive deliveries, organize storage areas, and rotate product using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) practices
Keep kitchen, storage, and back stock areas clean, organized, and ready for production
Assist with cleaning projects, opening and closing duties, and other kitchen support tasks
Work closely with the Kitchen, Deli, Bakery, Grocery, and Front End teams to support daily operations
Help maintain food safety and sanitation standards throughout the department
Assist other departments as needed to support the overall success of the Co-op

What We're Looking For

Positive, dependable attitude with a strong work ethic
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Ability to follow instructions while working independently when needed
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary work environment
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Reliable attendance and punctuality
Basic math and computer skills
Ability to obtain an Idaho Food Safety Certification (if not already certified)
Previous restaurant, kitchen, janitorial, warehouse, or food service experience is helpful but not required—we're happy to train the right person.

Schedule & Availability

Full-time: 35–40 hours per week
Part-time: 20–29 hours per week
Flexible scheduling, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and university breaks
Must be able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds

Why Work at the Co-op?

We're a community-oriented, values-driven workplace offering a supportive environment, living wages, and excellent benefits. In a recent employee survey, staff overwhelmingly said they're proud to work at the Moscow Food Co-op!

All employees receive:

20% store discount
Employee Profit Sharing
401(k) retirement plan participation

Full-time employees also receive:

Paid Time Off (PTO) Accrual
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Short-term disability coverage
Accidental & hospital insurance
Telemedicine & mental health support

Part-time employees working 20+ hours/week receive:

Dental insurance
Short-term disability, accidental & hospital insurance
Telemedicine & mental health support

Join our Kitchen team and help keep the heart of the Co-op running! Whether you're looking to start a career in food service or enjoy working in a fast-paced kitchen environment, you'll be part of a team dedicated to preparing fresh food and providing an exceptional experience for our customers and coworkers every day. 

Job Description

Position Summary 

The Kitchen Staff position supports the Moscow Food Co-op’s Prepared Foods Department by maintaining a consistent supply of clean and sanitized dishes, utensils, cookware, glassware, and equipment. This position also receives, stocks, rotates, and organizes kitchen supplies and prepared food ingredients to ensure cooks and other department staff have the products and equipment needed to complete daily production. 

Kitchen Staff follow established dishwashing, sanitation, stocking, receiving, and food safety procedures while maintaining clean, safe, and organized work areas. This position works closely with the Kitchen Manager, Prepared Foods Buyer, cooks, and Deli staff to support efficient department operations, excellent customer service, and department sales, labor, margin, and waste goals. 

Kitchen Staff are expected to work with a sense of urgency, complete assigned responsibilities accurately and efficiently, communicate supply or equipment concerns promptly, and leave work areas fully stocked, clean, and prepared for the next shift. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 Customer Service & Engagement

Provide friendly, professional service to customers, coworkers, vendors, and delivery drivers.
Assist customers with basic Prepared Foods questions or direct them to the appropriate team member.
Prioritize customer needs while maintaining a welcoming and professional environment.
Report on customer feedback or concerns to department leadership.

Food Preparation & Service

Ensure cooks have clean dishes, cookware, utensils, and equipment available throughout the day.
Complete assigned prep, packaging, and support tasks according to department procedures.
Stock production areas with ingredients, containers, and supplies.
Properly label, date, store, and rotate products.
Help prevent production delays by monitoring dish and supply levels.

Stocking, Merchandising & Department Presentation

Receive deliveries and verify product accuracy and quality.
Stock, rotate, label, and organize products using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) practices.
Maintain clean, organized coolers, freezers, storage rooms, and back stock.
Monitor supply levels and communicate shortages before products run out.
Keep receiving and storage areas clean, organized, and accessible.

 Cleanliness, Food Safety & Sanitation

Wash, rinse, sanitize, and properly store dishes, cookware, utensils, and equipment according to food safety standards.
Operate, clean, and maintain the dish machine and dish area.
Sweep, mop, wipe surfaces, and complete assigned cleaning schedules.
Follow all food safety, sanitation, labeling, chemical handling, and personal hygiene procedures.
Report on equipment, sanitation, or food safety concerns immediately.
Maintain a current Idaho Food Safety Certification or obtain certification within the required timeframe.

 Teamwork

Work cooperatively with Kitchen, Deli, Bakery, Grocery, and Front-End staff.
Communicate supply, equipment, and operational needs promptly.
Assist coworkers during busy periods and help prepare the department for the next shift.
Follow directions from supervisors and assist other departments when needed.
Maintain a positive, respectful attitude and accept coaching professionally.

 Productivity & Operations

Complete dishwashing, stocking, receiving, and cleaning responsibilities accurately and efficiently.
Prioritize work based on production needs, deliveries, food safety, and customer demand.
Maintain adequate supplies of clean dishes and equipment throughout the shift.
Complete required logs, receiving paperwork, and cleaning records accurately.
Minimize waste, protect equipment, and report maintenance needs promptly.
Seek additional productive work when primary responsibilities are complete.
Support department sales, labor, margin, waste, and operational goals through dependable, efficient work.

Co-op-Wide Employee Standards

Customer Service & Communication

Provide excellent customer service by creating friendly, welcoming, and helpful experience for every customer
Remain approachable, attentive, and professional while assisting customers, coworkers, and vendors.
Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members regarding customer concerns, product issues, and operational needs.
Offer product suggestions and respond to questions with professionalism, patience, and respect for diverse customer needs and perspectives.
Maintain a positive, solutions-oriented attitude and continuously build product and operational knowledge.

 Teamwork & Professionalism

Work cooperatively with all departments to support a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace culture.
Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the store, including cashier backup and cross-department support as needed.
Follow the direction of the Manager on Duty (MOD) and contribute to department and store-wide initiatives.
Assist with staff training and participate in Co-op meetings, inventories, and required training.

Operations & Accountability

Maintain excellent attendance, punctuality, and scheduling flexibility, including arriving on time and following break and time-off policies.
Follow established opening, closing, safety, and operational procedures.
Maintain accurate use of scheduling and timekeeping systems and assist with shift coverage when needed.
Ensure a safe, organized, and professional environment for customers and staff through attention to detail and follow-through.

Customer Service Expectations

Customer service is the top priority of this position. Co-op staff are expected to create friendly, welcoming, and helpful experiences for every customer. Employees should proactively greet customers (30 second rule), remain approachable and engaged on the sales floor, and respond to questions with professionalism and care.

 Staff should demonstrate:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
A positive and solutions-oriented attitude.
Patience, professionalism, and respect for diverse customer needs and perspectives.
A willingness to learn about products and continuously improve product knowledge.
Consistent attention to detail and follow-through.
Qualifications: Required

Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the Moscow Food Co-op.
High school diploma or equivalent required; retail, natural foods, dishwashing, stocking, or food service experience preferred.
Positive, dependable, self-motivated team player with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, independently and as part of a team.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Basic computer and math skills.
Ability to safely operate commercial dishwashing and kitchen equipment.
Current Idaho Food Safety Certification or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
Willingness to adapt to changing department needs.
Reliable attendance and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and university breaks.
Ability to receive and apply coaching and feedback.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and move throughout the store and kitchen for extended periods.
Lift and carry up to 50 pounds; push or pull carts and racks up to 200 pounds.
Frequent bending, kneeling, squatting, twisting, and reaching.
Ability to work in hot, wet, noisy, and changing temperature environments, including frequent hand immersion in water.
Ability to safely operate dishwashing equipment and work in close quarters with coworkers.

The duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and working conditions listed above are representative and not intended to be all-inclusive. The Moscow Food Co-op reserves the right to revise this job description and assign additional responsibilities as business needs change.