Kitchen & Facilities Steward

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary

The Steward is a key operational member of the Food Services Team, responsible for maintaining exceptional sanitation standards for all areas of Food Services work, storage, and preparation. The Steward is responsible for basic to heavy duty cleaning and janitorial work, basic kitchen maintenance, and contributing to dish washing in order to support a smooth, efficient kitchen workflow that meets all sanitation standards. In addition to executing standard dishwashing and cleaning duties, the Steward provides guidance to dishwashing staff, helps coordinate cleaning schedules, monitors inventory levels, and acts as a liaison between dishwashers and kitchen leadership.

Responsibilities

● Kitchen Equipment Maintenance

○ Clean and sanitize food production equipment including mixers, slicers, food processors, ovens, steam kettles, braising pans, and steamers following established procedures.

○ Perform regular inspections of all dish and sanitation equipment. Report malfunctions or safety issues to the Chef de Cuisine promptly.

○ Maintain and organize kitchen tools and utensils to ensure cleanliness and functionality.

● Kitchen and Facilities Cleaning

○ Sweep and mop all kitchen floors, including walk-in refrigerators, freezers, loading docks, and receiving areas daily.

○ Clean, reset, and refill dish stations and handwashing sinks at the start and end of each shift.

○ Refill soap, sanitizer, glove dispensers, paper towels, and related supplies daily.

○ Inspect and clean all kitchen areas including dry storage, refrigeration, and freezer storage to ensure a functional and hygienic environment.

● Trash and Linens Management

○ Empty and dispose of trash, compost, and recyclables regularly and in accordance with health codes.

○ Clean and sanitize all waste bins daily and ensure proper labeling and placement.

○ Empty linen bins as needed. Organize and maintain towels, aprons, and other kitchen linens.

● Inventory and Supplies

○ Monitor dishwashing and cleaning supply levels; alert management when stock is low.

○ Restock cleaning supplies using FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.

○ Assist with general kitchen inventory management as needed.

○ Safely utilize and store all cleaning compounds, chemicals, and materials including soaking

solutions utilizing the correct protective clothing.

● Support to Kitchen Operations

○ Assist kitchen staff with tasks such as food preparation, basic cleaning, organizing supplies, and setting up for service.

○ Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation at all times.

○ Provide support during meal prep, staff meals, and special events.

● Leadership and Shift Support

○ Provide guidance to other dishwashing staff; delegate cleaning tasks during busy periods.

○ Mentor new team members by modeling proper techniques and standards.

○ Ensure cleaning tasks are completed before shift end; restock and prep stations for the next shift.

○ Complete and review end-of-shift checklists and communicate updates to the Chef de Cuisine or next steward on duty.

○ Collaborate respectfully with chefs, cooks, and prep staff to maintain efficient operations.

○ Promote a positive and professional working environment aligned with the mission of Hope the Mission.

○ Participate in team huddles and communicate supply, equipment, or safety concerns.

● Dishwashing and Sanitation

○ Wash dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and trays by hand or with dishwashing equipment.

○ Ensure all items are cleaned, sanitized, dried, and stored according to safety and hygiene standards.

○ Maintain cleanliness and organization of the dishwashing area, including all storage areas.

● Health, Safety, and Food Compliance

○ Adhere to all food safety, sanitation, and health code regulations.

○ Follow proper chemical handling and PPE protocols when cleaning.

○ Attend required food handler safety and workplace safety training

○ Ensure the kitchen meets all regulatory requirements.

Required Skills & Core Competencies

● Skills and competencies the job requires (usually for the sake of performance)

Qualifications

● Janitorial, Steward, or Maintenance experience in a commercial kitchen environment strongly preferred

● Ability to operate, maintain and properly clean dishwashing machines, sinks, floor cleaning equipment,

garbage containers and silver burnisher.

● Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Mandatory Requirements:

● Must have knowledge of sanitation standards and requirements of a food service environment. Also, Must have familiarity and knowledge of how to properly clean and maintain commercial kitchen equipment. And, must have a demonstrated ability to strictly follow food, safety, and hygiene protocols.

● Must be available to work weekends, holidays and flexible shifts as needed.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee is routinely required to

● Sit/stand/be mobile for extended periods of time. Work often includes standing, walking, movement

and physical exertion for extended periods to the entirety of the shift.

● Tolerate an Indoor / Outdoor environment

● Moderate degrees of mobility required (e.g. - ability to bend, twist, kneel, and lift up to 50 lbs.)

● Visual and hearing abilities required

● And more