Company description
Coyote’s is a little community-oriented market in the heart of Carpinteria, opening in April of 2026. Our focus is celebrating local producers and sustainable practices. We’re here to connect our community with thoughtfully sourced meat and seafood, as well as locally-crafted pantry goods and kitchenwares.
The owners are a husband and wife team looking to curate a small but passionate group of staff members who care deeply about our products and our community.
Job description
Employment Type: Full-Time preferred, but we are open to interviewing ideal candidates who are only available part time.
Who You Are
We're seeking an experienced, creative chef with a passion for our local food systems to lead our prepared foods program and help establish our culinary operations. This is a unique opportunity to build a program from the ground up, working directly with premium local meats and developing a menu that showcases California's agricultural bounty.
We’re looking for someone with some or all of the following attributes:
-Passionate about local, sustainable meat and seafood. Excited to grow your knowledge about the practices of the ranches and fishermen who we work with. Maybe you have some experience with butchery, maybe you don’t. If you don’t, it’s a skill that you’re interested in acquiring. We won’t be breaking down larger cuts in the shop to start, but we may grow into it.
-An experienced cook or chef who is excited to share your recipes with our community. You’re enthusiastic about developing a rotating menu of pantry staples and prepared foods, like dressings, pickles, rubs, frozen goods, sandwiches, etc.
-You’re looking for a position that provides you a 40-hour work week with good pay and steady, daytime hours. The majority of your shifts would fall within the hours of 8am-6pm.
-You are a people person who enjoys interacting with customers, and educating them about our offerings. You enjoy a balance of time tucked away doing prep in the kitchen and time at our front meat counter helping guests.
Responsibilities
-Develop and execute a rotating menu of locally sourced and seasonal pantry staples and prepared foods
-Source and collaborate with local farmers, ranchers, and artisan producers
-Oversee all food preparation, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to food safety standards
-Manage kitchen operations including inventory, ordering, prep schedules, and waste reduction
-Maintain compliance with all California health department regulations and HACCP protocols
-Train and supervise kitchen staff as the business grows
-Participate in menu pricing, costing, and profitability analysis
-Work both in the kitchen and at our meat counter interacting with customers
Position Requirements
You must:
-Be able to start work in early to mid-March
-Be available to work weekends as needed
-Be fluent in English
-Have professional cooking experience, preferably in butcher shops, specialty markets, fine dining, or farm-to-table restaurants
-Hold a current California Food Handler certification (or ability to obtain immediately upon hire)
-Demonstrate an enthusiasm for recipe development and menu planning, and be experienced in ordering and inventory
-Strong knowledge of meat preparation and butchery techniques (or willingness to learn)
-Deep understanding of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles
-Proven ability to work efficiently in fast-paced environments
-Strong organizational and time management skills
-Excellent communication skills and customer service orientation
Huge bonus if you:
-Have a minimum of 5 years professional cooking experience, preferably in butcher shops, specialty markets, fine dining, or farm-to-table restaurants
-Have a culinary degree or formal culinary training
-Have experience with California cottage food laws and small-scale food production
-Have knowledge of charcuterie, curing, smoking, and preservation techniques
-Have experience with vacuum sealing and specialty food packaging
-Have a background in sustainable food systems or farm-to-table operations
-Are bilingual (English/Spanish)
-Have active relationships with local farmers and food producers
-Physical Requirements
What We Offer
-Competitive hourly wage: $38-$43 per hour ($80,000-$90,000 annually), commensurate with experience
-Health benefits package (details provided upon interview)
-Paid time off and holiday pay
-Opportunity to shape and build a program from inception
-Creative freedom to develop signature menu items
-Direct relationships with exceptional local producers
-Collaborative, values-driven work environment
-Professional development and growth opportunities
-Employee discounts on all store products
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000
Application instructions
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Deadline
February 28, 2026