Kitchen Operations Contractor

Kitchen Operations Contractor

Location: Seattle, WA (100% onsite)

Pay Rate: $26.00-30.00/hour

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, 40 hours per week

temporary contract, 6+ months with opportunity to be extended

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Kitchen Operations Contractor to support a fast-paced Product Development and Sensory team. This role is responsible for maintaining daily test kitchen operations, supporting product evaluations, preparing food samples, and ensuring the kitchen remains organized, clean, and compliant with food safety standards.

Culinary experience is required for this position. Candidates should be comfortable working in a commercial or test kitchen environment, preparing food samples, following recipes, handling food safely, and supporting product development activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present food samples for product development and sensory evaluations.
• Receive, organize, label, and track product samples.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, organization, and food safety compliance.
• Manage inventory of ingredients, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Calibrate and maintain kitchen equipment as needed.
• Support tasting events, product evaluations, and development projects.
• Assist with project tracking, documentation, and administrative tasks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product launches and testing initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Previous culinary, food preparation, kitchen operations, or commercial kitchen experience is required.
• Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to lift and move product samples and supplies as needed.
• Experience supporting product development, sensory testing, quality assurance, or food manufacturing operations.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Nutrition, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred.
• Passion for food, cooking, and product innovation.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has a culinary background and enjoys working in a kitchen-focused environment while supporting product development initiatives. Candidates with experience in commercial kitchens, catering, food production, sensory testing, quality assurance, or food manufacturing are highly encouraged to apply.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.