Blue Mango Management Restaurant Group (Robin's, Novo and Luna Red Restaurants) is currently looking for a Full Time Produce Buyer/Facilities Assistant to join our team!
Position: Produce Buyer/Facilities Assistant
Pay: $24/hour
Reports To: Owners, Blue Mango Executive Team
Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Summary of Position:
This position is a two-part role, responsible for providing general operational support to the Executive Team and their restaurant locations in the areas of produce purveying, communications, correspondence and facilities assistance—requiring above-average attention to detail, concern for the diligence of work, and strong commitment to tasks completed on time and efficiently.
The Produce Buyer part of this role will execute the purchasing of produce collectively for our three full-service restaurant locations, in coordination with the Owner, Chefs, and Operational Kitchen Managers. They will be responsible for building partnerships with growers and market vendors, optimizing inventory levels as well as coordinating produce needs, delivery schedules, and other requirements as needed for each location, either through shared inventories (one restaurant-to-another), or making needed purchases and delivering them back to the correct location.
The Facilities Assistant part of this role will work closely with the Facilities Manager, mainly responsible for assistance with tasks such as heater and umbrella repair, fixing light fixtures, minor tinkering, and painting projects for the 2 downtown restaurant locations, Novo and Luna Red. This portion of the position requires hands-on work on a project-to-project basis.
When not produce buying or assisting with facilities, this role also acts as an “errand runner”, providing support to the three restaurant locations should they require urgent attention or be in need of product. This role is essential to the overall operation of all of our restaurants and to achieving our mission to delight our guests with remarkable dining and hospitality experiences that keep guests returning.
Work Availability: This position must be able to work Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Mondays and Thursdays will be 8 hours days. Standard consecutive days off are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sunday nights will be required to compile and place market orders remotely (minimal time required- 1 hour at most). Occasional early mornings are required to attend Farmers’ Markets.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist the Owner/Chefs/Managers of each restaurant location in all aspects of resupplying of goods as needed
- Interact with external businesses/farmers at Farmers’ Markets; when necessary function as the “middle man” between chefs, owners and management.
- Represent the Company in interactions with vendors to support communication and respectful business transactions
- Check in daily with location chefs and managers to discuss their needs for the day. Be available throughout the day should pop-up requests occur.
- Assist locating supplies, and materials
- Synchronize work processes with each facility to ensure minimal disruptions in operations.
- Deliver items to restaurants from other locations and return equipment to the rightful location, including empty containers and sheet pans
- Emergency restaurant shopping both with other locations or from stores
- Emergency restaurant needs other than food—linen, towels, aprons, heaters, tables, chairs
- Wash blankets and the blanket bins
- Remove recycling or cardboard when needed
- Constantly be aware of things that are hazardous that can potentially be dangerous such as slippery floors, awkwardly placed or items blocking pathways. To always have safety in mind for patrons and employees alike
- Assist facilities manager in locating parts, supplies, and materials.
- Help perform minor repairs (for heaters, umbrellas, light fixtures)
- Move furniture and equipment as directed, following safe lifting practices pertaining to lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects
- Assist with facilities maintenance, cleaning floors, painting walls, structures, etc.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Must hold a valid CA driver’s license and be in good standing with the CA DMV with a clean driving record
- Ability to communicate ideas and concepts clearly in English or Spanish
- Must be able to communicate clearly with managers, kitchen and service staff
- Must have drive and take initiative
- Must be able to effectively prioritize the tasks assigned to them and communicate the order of importance and urgency of such tasks to appropriate team members
- Must have a high level of integrity
- Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
- Ability to apply basic mathematical skills of proportions and practical situations
- Must be able to work independently without regular direct supervision
Education and Experience:
- Hospitality/food service background and broad knowledge of food products and the produce industry is preferred
- Must have or be able to attain a valid California Food Handlers card
- Must have or be able to attain a California Sexual Harassment Prevention Certificate
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 10% of the time
- High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hours)
- Oftentimes, heavy work is required: such as climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, making general observations while working in controlled and uncontrolled environmental conditions. This person in the position must be able to occasionally lift, balance, move equipment and deliveries weighing up to 75 lbs.
- Must be able to perform in a fast paced, busy environment with attention to detail
- Must be able to travel by car, within San Luis Obispo County, to access the restaurant’s locations.
- The employee may be subject to hazards and work in close quarters on occasion
Preferred Qualifications:
- Passion for genuine hospitality
- Capability to multitask
- Conversational Spanish is a bonus
- High standards of excellence
- Unshakable work ethic/self motivation
- Solid organization
- Sense of humor
- Constant attention to detail
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office and G-Suite programs (google docs and google sheets)
- Flexibility with schedule as business demands
Disclaimer: This description includes essential functions. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with California law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Blue Mango Management offers reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities.
