Food Services Cook

About the Opportunity 

Responsible for the planning, preparation, and execution of daily entrée offerings, catering services, menu development, and inventory management within FirstEnergy's food service operation. This position serves as a key contributor to the success of cafeteria and catering services by ensuring high-quality food production, exceptional customer service, food safety compliance, and operational efficiency. The Cook works independently while collaborating with leadership and team members to support business objectives, improve processes, mentor coworkers, and maintain a safe, professional, and customer-focused environment.

Responsibilities

1. Plan, prepare, and execute daily entrée selections and catering menu items, ensuring high standards for food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction.
2. Coordinate the setup, delivery, retrieval, and breakdown of catering events throughout the facility.
3. Assist customers with catering menu selection, event planning, and logistical coordination to ensure successful event execution.
4. Proactively support leadership and coworkers by identifying, recommending, and implementing process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
5. Demonstrate expert knowledge and application of food service fundamentals, including:
   • Food safety and sanitation
   • Inventory management and product rotation
   • Procurement and ordering practices
   • Menu planning and development
   • Customer service
   • Knife skills and food preparation techniques
   • Personal hygiene standards
6. Maintain a safe, productive, and professional kitchen environment through proper kitchen operations and adherence to all food safety regulations and company policies.
7. Organize and prioritize multiple daily responsibilities, projects, and service commitments while consistently meeting deadlines.
8. Utilize food service ordering and catering management systems to process orders, maintain records, and support customer needs.
9. Provide exceptional customer service and maintain positive working relationships with employees, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders.
10. Independently resolve operational issues and recommend solutions that improve service levels, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
11. Continuously seek opportunities to expand knowledge of culinary techniques, food service best practices, and industry trends.
12. Contribute to operational excellence by developing recommendations, improving procedures, and supporting standardization efforts across food service operations.
13. Provide guidance, training, and encouragement to coworkers while promoting teamwork and a positive work environment.
14. Serve as backup for weekly inventory procurement and vendor ordering activities.

15. Assist with weekly cafeteria and catering menu planning, cost control, inventory management, and product utilization.

16. Support compliance with FirstEnergy's Core Values and Behaviors by promoting a workplace culture of safety, respect, inclusion, and accountability.

Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED required; culinary degree, culinary certification, or related education preferred.
2. Minimum of four (4) years of food service, culinary, catering, hospitality, or related experience required.
3. Experience preparing and serving meals in a fast-paced, high-volume food service, restaurant, cafeteria, catering, or institutional dining environment required.
4. Demonstrated experience with menu planning, food production, catering operations, and inventory management.
5. ServSafe Manager Certification required or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with food service ordering systems preferred.
7. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
8. Effective organizational and time management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities.
9. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, solve problems, and make sound business decisions.
10. Ability to provide outstanding customer service while building and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external customers.
11. Ability to deliver quality, accurate work within established deadlines.
12. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
13. Ability to perform physical job duties, including bending, stooping, lifting up to 50 pounds, and standing or walking for extended periods of time.
14. Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, food safety, and continuous improvement.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas currently.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.