Production Prep Cook - SE Portland

Salary:

$18/hour

FLSA Status:

Hourly Non-Exempt

Schedule:

Full Time |Schedule to be determined 

Required:

Current Oregon Food Handler's Card

Location & Transportation:

Elephants Central Kitchen is located at 1611 SE 7th Ave. Reliable transportation is required. Due to our location, dependable transportation to and from our store is essential.

About Elephants

A locally owned company since 1979, Elephants Delicatessen pioneered the gourmet food industry in the Pacific Northwest and now operates seven Portland-metro retail locations and a thriving catering company. As a certified B Corporation, we are committed to sustainability, transparency, and using business as a force for good — while serving exceptional, scratch-made food rooted in our local community.

Elephants Delicatessen is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.

What We Offer

• Employer contributed vacation and sick time
• Kaiser Medical coverage, with alternative care as a bonus (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, etc.)
• Mental Health Services
• Dental, FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts), and 401(k) with 4% company match
• Training that will fast-track your culinary/hospitality career  
• Free counseling and financial services
• Opportunities for advancement
• Discounts on our delicious made-from-scratch food
• Pet insurance
• Chance to win employee raffles
• Discounts at Sketchers, Shoes for Crews, Verizon, Sprint, select B Corporations, and many more
• A commitment to inclusion, diversity, community involvement, employee well-being, and environmental protection

Elephants Delicatessen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

Elephants Delicatessen participates in the E- Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. 

Please see the following notices for more information:

E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish) Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented, team-focused Production Prep Cook to join our Central Kitchen. In this role, you will be responsible for t he accurate and timely preparation of food items in accordance with established recipes, production standards, and food safety protocols.

This position is a great fit for someone who takes pride in their work, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to delivering exceptional food products at scale. 

What You’ll Do

• Accurately prepare ingredients (chopping, mixing, washing, etc.) according to standardized recipes and supervisor direction
• Complete all assigned production by required deadlines in compliance with production standards
• Maintain consistent quality in taste, presentation, portioning, and labeling
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, storage, and temperature control standards
• Complete required production documentation accurately and on time, including logs, temperature records, and sanitation checklists
• Safely operate kitchen equipment and promptly report any malfunctions
• Maintain a clean, organized work area throughout the shift
• Support inventory rotation, stocking, and waste reduction efforts
• Communicate production priorities and needs clearly with supervisors and team members
• Participate in required Elephants Delicatessen training and continuing education

What We’re Looking For

• High School Diploma or GED preferred  
• 1 year of experience in a commercial or high-volume kitchen 
• Proficient knife skills with consistent safety practices 
• Ability to follow standardized recipes, production lists, and food safety procedures
• Basic math skills for measuring, portioning, and recording data 
• Reliability, accountability, and a collaborative mindset 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed

If you thrive in a fast-paced, production-focused environment and take pride in doing things right, we’d love to meet you!