The Roots Farm Market in Middlesex is a branch of Bear Roots Farm, owned by Karin Bellemare and Jon Wagner.  The Roots Farm Market’s mission is to sell vegetables grown at Bear Roots Farm, to support growers and producers in the region, and to provide high quality food and plant products for the community.  

The Roots Kitchen is located in the Roots Farm Market building.  Kitchen production is primarily produce oriented, turning farm produce into fresh juices, salads, and ready to eat meals.  

General Responsibilities 

• Manage day to day operation of the kitchen. 
• Produce food of consistently high quality, taste and presentation, using Bear Roots Farm surplus, seasonal produce, and local foods as much as possible.
• Coordinate prep lists and the execution of food production schedules. Ensure the highest level of food quality, taste and presentation.
• Train and work along side kitchen staff on the proper methods of food preparation and handling.
• Manage food costs, and participate in and encourage cost saving ideas/activities. 
• Create and use food cost templates for all recipe items to ensure that all items meet the profitability criteria.
• Assist the prep cooks on awareness of daily food prep based upon projected levels of business.
• Observe weekly inventory and coordinate and/or oversee weekly and daily orders and deliveries. 
• Maintain all food storage areas. All food and storage areas are to be labeled, and each employee trained on storage placement and FIFO food storage expectations. 
• Receive orders, confirm orders, and store orders as determined by FIFO requirements, and maintain in-house food storage protocol. 
• Advertise new job openings. 
• Interview and train kitchen employees as needed. 
• Review and update job descriptions yearly, or as needed. Including this job description. All descriptions and amendments must be approved by owner and kept on file. 
• Update inventory sheets, prep sheets, and order sheet files as needed. 
• Maintain Kitchen Schedule, post monthly kitchen schedules 2 weeks before each month. Confirm kitchen employees and oversee schedule changes. 
• Place weekly orders for paper goods, pantry, and special order items. 
• Create and file sales projections and food cost reports regularly and deliver as requested by owner.
• Maintain inventory for paper goods, packaging, labels, and cleaning products for kitchen.
• Increase profitability by participating in regular meetings with management team
• Receive feedback, fill special orders, provide social media content, and provide materials that encourage profitable up-sells.
• Provide insight into handling, labeling, and describing of perishable items. 
• Be able to establish, articulate and measure profitability, efficiency, and both business and team goals. 
• Maintain effective communication, be responsive to staff suggestions and concerns and work to resolve problems. 
• Work with management team and owner to ensure that all shifts are covered by trained employees, that all files are accurate and up to date, and that any and all incentives are being employed. 
• Work with owner and management team to schedule and execute regular employee reviews, rewards, and cross training opportunities. 
• Maintain effective working relationship with ALL FOH house staff. 
• Share knowledge of farm/partners and maintain working relationships. 
• Maintain Kitchen Equipment. Anticipate and resolve problems concerning all facets of the kitchen equipment. Conduct regular inspections of the entire kitchen equipment/ storage areas promptly act to correct deficiencies found during inspection. 
• Communicate with management team to report weekly sales and inventory. 
• Attend scheduled meetings as requested. 
• Attend scheduled events as requested.
• Request time off with 4 week advance notice.

Qualifications 

•    Be comfortable and able to prepare and utilize food cost and inventory spreadsheets and reports.
•    Be able to lift 20+ lbs, work in a standing position for multiple hours in a row, and be comfortable with knives and hot temperatures.
•    Have references that confirm applicant’s reliability, and can attest that the applicant is organized, efficient and works in a tidy way.
•    Have an example of aesthetic that is comparable with the vision of the store and farm owners. (photos encouraged, but not required).
•    Is able to define their management style and technique, and is also an enthusiastic team player.
•    Be comfortable working in a woman owned and run business.
•    Have a passion for creating delicious and nourishing foods with seasonal and farm fresh products.
•    Have experience in a commercial kitchen processing farm produce and whole food ingredients.