Company description

Open Arms of Minnesota (OAM) is a nonprofit that prepares and delivers healthy, nutritious food to people living with life-threatening illnesses. Our mission: by providing food as medicine, we nourish our clients and build community. In our two state-of-the-art kitchens, OAM staff members and more than 4,700 volunteers create meals specifically designed for our client’s nutritional needs. We use fresh and, whenever possible, organic ingredients, including produce from our own 5 Open Farms urban garden locations. Volunteers deliver meals throughout the Twin Cities metro area to approximately 4,400 clients, caregivers, and dependents annually, providing nourishment and hope for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. In addition, families in need throughout Minnesota receive meals shipped to them weekly. There are no fees for any of Open Arms’ services. Open Arms is a volunteer-driven organization and is culturally unique in our high commitment to an excellent volunteer experience.    
 
To learn more, visit www.openarmsmn.org  

Job description

Open Arms of Minnesota Job Description: 
Chef and Volunteer Ambassador  

Open Date: December 12th, 2024    Closing Date: Until filled

  
Position Overview: This is a full-time and benefits-eligible position in a high-volume production kitchen preparing and packaging ready-to-eat meals. Working as part of a team, the chef and volunteer Ambassador is responsible for food preparation, kitchen safety and sanitization, and overall kitchen cleanliness and organization.  As with all OAM staff positions, this position is responsible for helping ensure volunteers and interns have an exemplary experience during all interactions with Open Arms and is expected to consistently maintain a high level of customer service to all guests, clients, and fellow team members.  Schedule is subject to change depending on business needs. Reliable transportation to our St. Paul kitchen near the St. Paul municipal airport off Highway 52 is needed.  

Primary Job Responsibilities:  

• Responsible for all aspects of daily food preparation and packaging in a large production kitchen. 
• Ensures all menu items are produced using approved recipes and are created with high-quality ingredients.  
• Follow safe food handling guidelines and all applicable state and local food safety regulations. 
• Ensure accurate labeling of all items produced in the kitchen, including sub-ingredients, allergens, product dating, etc., seeking guidance or clarification as needed from the Food Services Manager.  
• Identify and resolve food production issues. 
• Provides an outstanding environment and experience for all volunteers
• Maintains a safe work environment and ensures food safety by training and actively managing staff and volunteers to the regulations and standards in food handling, food storage, equipment operation, kitchen cleanliness, and personal hygiene.  
• Work on your feet, assisting in preparing the correct amount and type of meals ordered, ready for pick-up by customers.  
• Assist in the creation and implementation of new menus and recipes. 
• Create written documentation for new recipe development and current recipe changes for product packaging labels. 
• Control food waste. 
• Demonstrate a high level of customer service and professional behavior within the kitchen.  
• Maintains food quality, safety, and presentation standards using portion control and appropriate cooking, cooling and storage, and packing procedures. 
• Assists in preparing for and catering in-house special events.  
• Periodically measures food quality by tasting recipe components. 
• Use the computer as needed. 
• Work as a team player and step in when needed. 
• Be a Champion of our mission, purpose, and values. 
• Other related duties as assigned. 

Requirements:  

• At least two years of culinary experience. 
• Experience in high-volume, commercial or production kitchens. 
• Great organizational skills and ability to adapt quickly to the changing needs of the business. 
• The drive and ability to learn new techniques and skills. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Demonstrate commitment and understanding of high customer service 
• Ability to be energizing and contribute to a positive team environment.  
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and cheerful demeanor in stressful situations. 
• Ability to multi-task and keep composure while working under pressure during busy periods. 
• Ability to work on two different sites as needed.  
• High work ethic and demonstrated reliability.  
• Flexibility to work on two different sites.  
• Flexible schedule with ability to work during hours of operations, including occasional weeknights or weekends. 
• Ability to adhere to attendance and punctuality requirements, to meet time-sensitive client and business needs. 
• Sensitivity and commitment to diversity and ability to work respectfully with a wide array of co-workers and members of the community. 
• Passion for the mission and values of Open Arms.  

Physical Requirements:  

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English. 
• Able to frequently lift and carry food, beverage, and other items greater than 35 pounds, stand for long periods of time, and able to transport up to 70 pounds. 
• Able to stand, sit, walk, bend, stoop, and twist.  Requires a full range of motion, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.  Requires corrected vision, full color vision, sense of smell and taste, and hearing to normal range. 
• Able to operate a variety of kitchen appliances, tools, and utensils, and to operate office equipment and software programs.

Reports to: Production Manager  
 

Pay Rate: $23.00 per hour 
 
Location: 380 E Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul, MN 55107 
 
Hours: 40 hours per week 
 
Benefits:   
This position is eligible for an excellent comprehensive benefits package that includes medical/dental/life/ STD/LTD insurance, employee assistance program, paid Holidays, and personal time off (PTO), retirement plan with employer match program. Employee-paid vision plan, voluntary life, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident insurance are also available.  
  
Open Arms of Minnesota is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, disability, or socioeconomic status. We encourage all individuals with direct or transferable experience to apply for our open positions.  
  
Equal Opportunity Employer  

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

January 10, 2025