COMMISSARY KITCHEN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Position Summary

The Commissary Kitchen Production Assistant supports the daily preparation and production of food for Ithaca College Dining operations. The position prepares, portions, packages, labels, stores, and stages food products in accordance with established recipes, production schedules, quality standards, and food safety requirements. Working primarily during overnight hours, the position helps ensure fresh, safe, consistent, and properly prepared food is ready for campus dining locations each day.

Supervision

Reports to: Lead Sous Chef of Commissary
Supervises: None

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Food Production & Operations

• Prepare and produce food according to standardized recipes, production schedules, and established procedures, including washing, cutting, mixing, cooking, cooling, assembling, and large-batch preparation for multiple campus dining locations.
• Follow production schedules and prioritize assigned work to ensure food products are completed accurately and on time while meeting established standards for quality, appearance, texture, and portion size.
• Portion, package, label, store, and stage prepared food according to established recipes, serving sizes, production specifications, and distribution needs. Ensure products are properly sealed, organized, protected from contamination, and labeled with required product, date, and allergen information.
• Safely and appropriately operate standard commercial kitchen equipment used in food preparation and production.
• Monitor production quantities and communicate shortages, excess production, quality concerns, equipment issues, and other operational needs to the appropriate supervisor.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follow applicable food safety requirements, College policies, and departmental procedures throughout food preparation, production, storage, and distribution.
• Maintain and record required food temperatures and food safety information and follow established procedures to prevent cross-contamination and allergen exposure.
• Maintain clean and sanitary workstations, equipment, utensils, storage areas, and production spaces, including cleaning and sanitizing throughout and at the conclusion of the shift.
• Follow established food storage, personal hygiene, handwashing, glove use, employee health, and FIFO practices.
• Identify and report damaged, spoiled, expired, improperly stored, or potentially unsafe food products.

Overnight Operations

• Work independently and efficiently during overnight hours while maintaining appropriate communication with supervisors and other members of the dining operation.
• Complete assigned production, cleaning, stocking, and staging responsibilities to ensure food products and production areas are ready for morning dining operations.
• Secure food products, equipment, and work areas according to departmental procedures at the completion of overnight operations.
• Communicate production issues, equipment concerns, food safety issues, and other operational needs to the appropriate supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes, written instructions, production specifications, and food safety procedures.
• Ability to accurately measure, portion, package, label, and organize food products.
• Ability to follow production schedules, prioritize assigned work, and complete food preparation and production requirements within established timeframes.
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to consistently follow requirements for food quality, portioning, labeling, sanitation, and food safety.
• Ability to communicate production, quality, equipment, and food safety concerns to supervisors and coworkers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a college/university, healthcare, catering, commissary, institutional, or high-volume food service operation.
• Food safety certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience with large-scale food preparation and batch production.
• Experience with food labeling, allergen controls, temperature monitoring, and HACCP-based procedures.
• Experience working overnight or early-morning shifts.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a high-volume commissary or central production kitchen serving multiple campus dining locations. This position requires an overnight schedule.

The work includes:

• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and repetitive movements.
• Lifting and carrying food products, supplies, containers, and equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Working in varying temperatures, including refrigerated, freezer, kitchen, and hot-food production areas.
• Operating commercial kitchen equipment and performing repetitive food preparation and packaging activities.
• Exposure to heat, cold, moisture, food products, cleaning chemicals, commercial kitchen equipment, and moderate to high noise levels.

Inclusive Excellence

Ithaca College is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community. Employees are expected to treat others with dignity, value diverse perspectives, and contribute to a culture of belonging and collaboration.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu. 

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated. 

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position. 

Hiring Range: $18.88 per hour

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

                • Healthcare including vision and dental

                • Generous Paid Time Off Policies

                • 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution 

                • EAP

                • Flexible Work Plans

                • Educational Benefits

                • Career-Enhancing Trainings

                • For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy.   This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

The position is considered to be essential during emergency situations and the incumbent is subject to being requested to report to work.