Holiday Food Services Inventory Worker

Mid-September to Mid-January (17 Weeks / 680hrs) OUR IMPACT For over 50 years, Samaritan House has been leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County. We’re the only organization that delivers the full breadth of essential services and personalized support to the working poor. By ensuring our clients are fed, clothed, healthy, and housed, we help them create their own stability and remain an active, successful part of our community. After all, an enduring community is only possible when every person has the resources they need to live. OUR CULTURE We’re passionate about providing our employees with a supportive work environment and experiences that help them grow. We offer excellent opportunities for individuals with proven strong, creative, results-driven leadership skills and stellar work ethics. We welcome candidates who love working with people of diverse backgrounds and want to make a difference by fostering community care for our neighbors in need. YOUR IMPACT Under the direct supervision of the Food Services Manager(s), the Food Services Worker – Cook is a dynamic, flexible position responsible for supporting food preparation, cooking, sanitation, and inventory across Samaritan House food service operations. This role ensures that all food handling and preparation are conducted safely and efficiently in accordance with health regulations and agency standards. This position also supports food storage, inventory control, and distribution logistics as needed, and interacts daily with volunteers, clients, and other team members. The ideal candidate is a dependable team player who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen environment and is willing to assist with both cooking and inventory responsibilities. JOB QUALIFICATIONS Please note our preferred and in some cases required qualifications for this position: EDUCATION: · High School Diploma - GED · Food Handler Card & ServSafe Certificate a plus but not required · Valid CA Driver License Class C EXPERIENCE: · At least 2 year of experience in a commercial kitchen or food service environment. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: • Understanding of safe food handling and sanitation practices. • Strong organizational and multitasking skills. • Comfortable using basic kitchen equipment and tools. • Excellent Professional Communication Skills- Written and verbal. • Competent with computer programs such as Microsoft office Suite- Outlook, simple excel, word. Ability to learn computer programs, applications and databases for training purposes. Familiarity with telecommunication applications- Zoom, Skype, FB Messenger, MS Teams • Exercise appropriate and sound judgement under normal and stressful conditions • Excellent professionalism and professional boundaries in all business interactions. • Excellent customer service skills. Ability to perform work within agency values, positive collaborative attitude, high level of ethics and integrity • Excellent adaptability in a fast paced and ever-changing work environment. Excellent time management skills, multi-tasking, prioritization and organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines • Excellent interpersonal skills and initiative. Ability to self-start while working alone and to collaborate effectively when working within a team environment • Attention to detail, ability to perform quality work with little to no errors. Solutions based approach to problem solving. • Excellent ability to work within safety protocols. • Flexible Schedule to include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, days as needed. · Ability to commute to and from Agency job sites. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BACKGROUND CHECK Candidate must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job and to respond to emergencies with or without reasonable accommodations. Reference checks and background checks will be performed prior to and at commencement of employment. Candidate must be able to work in an environment with occasional-to-regular interruptions. Activities may include but are not limited to: repetitive hand/arm motion (computer work), extended periods of standing and/or sitting at a computer workstation, regular travel, occasional bending, pulling, pushing, reaching, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds (with appropriate tools, belts, including forklifts) ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB 1. General Safety & Compliance · Perform all duties using general safety practices and agency-assigned tools to prevent lifting injuries, slips, falls, and other hazards. · Wear required PPE and comply with all safety requirements including Federal, State, Local, CAL-OSHA, and San Mateo County Health Regulations. · Report any maintenance, safety issues, incidents, or injuries to the supervisor immediately. 2. Food Handling, Cooking & Preparation · Assist with or independently prepare and cook meals in accordance with food safety guidelines and nutritional standards. · Follow standardized recipes, portion control, and menu plans; assist with recipe scaling as needed. · Label, date, and properly store all food items. · Move food inventory to the kitchen and assist with food packaging for service or delivery. · Ensure all prepared food is cooked, stored, and served at appropriate temperatures. 3. Inventory, Receiving & Storage · Receive, weigh, record, and sort food deliveries, donations, and inventory; follow in-kind donation policy. · Divide and distribute inventory to appropriate locations (refrigerator, freezer, pantry, food line). · Track and monitor inventory movement and stock levels; restock supplies as needed. · Store all food and related supplies under appropriate temperature controls. · Organize pantry and storage spaces to ensure safety and efficiency. · Use equipment (e.g., pallet jacks) safely and with proper training and authorization. 4. Loading, Unloading & Delivery · Load and unload delivery trucks and agency vehicles. · Assist with food deliveries and ensure items are placed in temperature-controlled storage areas or insulated containers for transport. · Ensure the back-kitchen loading dock is restricted to authorized personnel only. 5. Sanitation & Cleaning · Clean and sanitize all food service areas, cooking equipment, utensils, and surrounding indoor/outdoor areas. · Perform janitorial tasks, including garbage bin organization and cleaning of floors and surfaces. · Wash, dry, and sanitize reusable linens and cloth items used in kitchen operations. · Maintain the cleanliness of food service zones including tents, front lines, and storage areas. 6. Volunteer & Client Interaction · Provide instruction and supervision to volunteers and new staff to ensure safe and sanitary food handling. · Guide clients through food pantry lines, assisting as needed in a respectful and professional manner. · Operate collaboratively with all team members, volunteers, and clients. 7. Administrative & Operational Support · Accurately weigh and record all food collections and distributions. · Complete reports (e.g., food rescue logs, inventory, deliveries) and submit them in a timely manner. · Support Food Services and Facilities operations as assigned. · Maintain high standards of ethics, professionalism, and adherence to agency policies. · Ensure excellent client service at all levels. Demonstrate a caring and helpful attitude when interacting with clients, vendors, volunteers and fellow employees. · Position will operate within all applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances, and any and all other policies adopted by Samaritan House. · Support, assist and attend general Agency events, activities and functions. · Report all incidents, vehicular accidents or on the job injuries immediately or within 24 hours whichever is sooner. Complete necessary incident report forms. · All work/business to be performed with appropriate professional boundaries, excellent ethics/integrity and in good faith. · Flexible work schedule, early mornings, days, evenings, weekends and holidays may need. · Attend any assigned trainings or meetings. Represent Samaritan House professionally and successfully to any external contacts/constituents. · Perform other duties as directed. Company Description For over 50 years, Samaritan House has been leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County. We’re the only organization that delivers the full breadth of essential services and personalized support to the working poor. By ensuring our clients are fed, clothed, healthy, and housed, we help them create their own stability and remain an active, successful part of our community. After all, an enduring community is only possible when every person has the resources they need to live.