Food Service Operations Manager I at Nouria in Worcester, MA

Job description

• At Nouria, great food starts with great people. We are looking for energetic, dependable, and passionate leaders who enjoy working with people, take pride in serving high-quality food, and understand the importance of creating an exceptional customer experience. Our customers visit Nouria for more than convenience. They expect quality food, friendly service, clean and welcoming stores, and a team that takes pride in what they do. The Kitchen Manager (KM) plays a critical leadership role in delivering that experience every day.
• The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and daily execution of the store's foodservice operation. This position is accountable for driving foodservice sales and profitability while maintaining Nouria standards for food quality, food safety, customer service, cleanliness, operational execution, inventory management, and cost control. The Kitchen Manager is also responsible for building, training, developing, and motivating a high-performing foodservice team while creating a positive and productive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Foodservice Operations & Leadership
• Lead the daily operation and execution of all assigned foodservice areas, including Made-to-Order Food, Nouria Kitchen programs, Commissary/Grab & Go, Bakery, Coffee, Fountain, Slush, and other food and beverage programs.
• Maintain a strong presence in the kitchen and actively lead the team during peak business periods.
• Ensure all menu items are prepared and presented according to Nouria recipes, specifications, portion standards, and quality expectations.
• Ensure food is fresh, properly stocked, attractively merchandised, and available during all required dayparts.
• Organize and supervise daily foodservice shifts and assign responsibilities based on business needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional kitchen environment and ensure operational procedures are consistently followed.
• Partner with the Store Manager and leadership team to support the overall success of the location.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Recruit, train, coach, motivate, and develop foodservice team members.
• Create a positive work environment built around teamwork, accountability, respect, and customer service.
• Clearly communicate expectations, provide ongoing feedback, recognize strong performance, and address development opportunities.
• Ensure new team members receive appropriate foodservice, equipment, food safety, and operational training.
• Lead by example and demonstrate Nouria standards and values every day.
• Food Quality & Food Safety
• Take ownership of food quality and food safety throughout the operation and ensure compliance with Nouria policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper cooking, holding, cooling, reheating, labeling, date coding, storage, rotation, and shelf-life procedures are followed.
• Monitor food temperatures and ensure required food safety documentation is completed accurately.
• Ensure kitchen equipment, utensils, preparation areas, coolers, freezers, and food-contact surfaces are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Immediately address food safety or product quality concerns and support compliance with local and state health regulations.
• Sales, Inventory & Cost Control
• Drive foodservice sales through strong product availability, presentation, quality, and customer engagement.
• Execute promotional programs, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), merchandising initiatives, and new product introductions.
• Manage foodservice ordering, inventory levels, required counts, and foodservice audits accurately and on time.
• Monitor food cost, waste, spoilage, shrink, and lost sales; use production planning and sales trends to minimize waste.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales, profitability, product mix, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain appropriate levels of food, packaging, smallwares, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and operational materials.
• Customer Experience
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience and greet customers with a friendly, sincere, and welcoming attitude.
• Ensure food is served quickly, accurately, and with excellent presentation.
• Engage customers and suggest additional purchases, promotions, and foodservice specials when appropriate.
• Respond professionally and promptly to customer questions or concerns and take ownership of Nouria customer service standards.
• Safety, Cleanliness & Facility Standards
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and attractive foodservice environment.
• Ensure employees are trained on equipment operation, workplace safety, and company safety procedures.
• Regularly inspect foodservice areas for workplace hazards and initiate corrective action when necessary.
• Promptly report workplace accidents, injuries, incidents, illnesses, equipment concerns, and repair needs in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure environmental, chemical handling, hazardous-material, safety, and security procedures are followed.

Requirements

• ServSafe Manager Certification or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Previous high-volume commercial kitchen, restaurant, convenience foodservice, or comparable food and beverage experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and people-development skills.
• Passion for food quality and delivering an excellent customer experience.
• Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to manage inventory, ordering, food cost, waste, and production.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot minor operational issues, and manage multiple priorities.
• Basic computer and technology skills and ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a foodservice environment strongly preferred.

Skills

Required

• Leadership
• Communication
• Organizational skills
• People development
• Customer service orientation
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Respect
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Food safety and sanitation practices
• Inventory management

Benefits

• Starting Rate: $20.20