Back to search
Job Purpose
The Cook/Food Service role prepares and serves meals for Hitchiner's employee cafeteria, ensuring food quality, portion accuracy, and safe food handling practices at all times. This role supports a clean, welcoming cafeteria environment and contributes to employee satisfaction as part of Hitchiner's commitment to being an employer of choice.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
# | Essential Function | % of Time |
1 | Prepare and cook daily menu items including hot entrees, soups, sides, and short-order items per established recipes, portion standards, and quality requirements; set up and maintain cafeteria serving lines for scheduled meal periods. | 45% |
2 | Serve food to employees at the cafeteria line, maintaining accurate portioning, professional service, and a welcoming cafeteria environment throughout each meal period. | 20% |
3 | Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, cooking surfaces, serving areas, and cafeteria dining areas in accordance with food safety standards and Hitchiner facility cleanliness requirements; complete daily and weekly cleaning checklists. | 20% |
4 | Monitor food temperatures, proper food storage, and expiration management per food safety and ServSafe requirements; report food safety concerns or equipment issues to supervisor immediately. | 10% |
5 | Support food ordering and inventory tasks as assigned including receiving deliveries, checking orders against invoices, rotating stock, and communicating supply needs to the Lead Cook or supervisor. | 5% |
 | Total | 100% |
Â
Required Qualifications
Education | High school diploma or equivalent preferred; not required for entry level. |
Experience | No prior experience required for Cook/Food Service Associate. 2+ years of food service, cafeteria, or institutional cooking experience required for Lead Cook. |
Certifications | ServSafe Food Handler certification required within 90 days of hire for all levels; ServSafe Manager certification preferred for Lead Cook. |
Â
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to follow recipes, portion standards, and food preparation procedures accurately and consistently.
- Knowledge of safe food handling, storage, and temperature control practices per ServSafe standards.
- Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, grills, steamers, fryers, and dishwashers safely.
- Physical stamina for extended standing, working in hot kitchen environments, and lifting up to 40 lbs.
- Strong attention to cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety compliance at all times.
- Effective communication with cafeteria team members and professional, courteous interaction with all employees.
- Ability to manage food preparation tasks within meal period time constraints.
- Lead Cook: ability to direct and train Food Service Associates and manage kitchen operations independently during assigned shift.
Â
Working Conditions
- Environment: Commercial kitchen and cafeteria environment; exposure to heat, steam, and cooking odors.
- Physical demands: Extended standing throughout shift; working in warm kitchen conditions; frequent lifting up to 40 lbs; bending and reaching for food preparation and cleaning tasks.
- PPE: Non-slip footwear required; hair restraint required; cut-resistant gloves for applicable food prep tasks; safety glasses required if accessing production areas.
Why Join Hitchiner?
- Mission-critical manufacturing: We use advanced automation and cutting edge equipment to support industries where precision and reliability matter.
- Internal mobility: We deeply invest in our people, offering training and leadership development opportunities so that employees can grow their careers with us.
- We win together: All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our annual profit-sharing bonus.
- Beautiful location: Fully updated and modernized buildings on a campus offering an onsite restaurant and gym.
Employee Benefits
Full time employees may elect to participate in a number of benefit programs, including Hitchiner’s Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and 401(k) Employee Retirement Contribution Plan. The Company provides employees with basic company-paid short-term, long-term, and basic life/AD&D insurance.
Employees also have access to education and tuition reimbursement, wellness rewards, Employee Assistance Program, and our free onsite fitness center.
About Hitchiner
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire, Hitchiner Manufacturing is the premier supplier of high-volume, complex thin-wall investment castings and fully finished casting-based components to the automotive, aerospace and defense markets.
Additional Information
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Hitchiner Manufacturing is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.
Â
This position involves access to technical data, materials, and/or hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employees must be able to meet export control eligibility requirements as a condition of employment. Who is considered a U.S. Person? A U.S. Person can be one of the following: U.S. Citizen, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), a refugee or asylee admitted under the U.S. law, or certain protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Learn more about the ITAR here. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Hitchiner participates in the E-Verify program to confirm work authorization for all new hires in accordance with federal law.
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
