Job Title:  Operations Manager (Chicago)

Position Overview

The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the Central Kitchen production operations including employee schedule, food purchasing, preparation and maintenance of quality standards, sanitation and cleanliness, training of employees in methods of cooking, preparation, presentation, portion, cost control, and sanitation and cleanliness.

This position also provides leadership for the effective operations of the Central Kitchen Facility by ensuring the development and implementation of best-in-class manufacturing processes, efficient maintenance of CK equipment and adherence to good manufacturing practices.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• • Responsible for evaluating quality of our sushi products in taste, textures, shape, layout, and overall compliance as it pertains to AFC sushi standards.
  • Directly responsible for implementing and maintaining the Company’s Central Kitchen operations, reporting on performance, and initiating improvements for operations.
  • Ensure that all food and products are consistently prepared and served according to the AFC’s recipes, portioning, preparation and serving standards.
  • Organize and facilitate production line activities to ensure conformance to established requirements regarding quality, safety, employee-relations, and productivity.
  • Monitor productivity data and help develop corrective action plans necessary to achieve annual productivity improvements.
  • Ensure all food safety measures are strictly adhered to; participate in food safety and quality assurance audits and assist in the development of procedures and corrective actions.
  • Lead coordination of master planning, production, receiving, purchasing and inventory management.
  • Communicate with appropriate departments within AFC for specific department needs.
  • Develop management systems, establish work measurement programs, and perform line workload observations to develop standards for labor and materials utilization.
  • Manage operational efficiencies to include yields, labor, shipping/picking efficiencies, and sanitation scores.
  • Implement safety measures for accident prevention through departmental safety meetings and work with Supervisors to ensure employee compliance.
  • Direct, coach and develop CK supervisors/line leads in the execution of their responsibilities.
  • Attend all scheduled employee meetings and offers suggestions for improvement.
  • Organize, coordinate, and have general oversight of all production staff and activities, including but not limited to performance management and employee development, etc.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• • 3-5 years of experience making sushi and/or working at Japanese/Asian restaurant/catering setting.
  • Knowledge of preparation methods of Japanese or Asian cuisine to be able to determine its quality.
  • 5+ years’ progressive leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment.
  • Background in sushi production is preferred.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of food safety and general facility safety practices and procedures.
  • Demonstrate ability of applying project management principles and practices.
  • Strong knowledge of business and management principles and practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and lead teams in processing, storing, and shipping food product initiatives.
  • Knowledge of food safety standards and HACCP experience.
  • Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Highly self-motivated; ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment and collaborate up and down the organization.
  • Working knowledge of MS applications, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and ability to grasp additional business-related applications.
  • Bilingual in Japanese, Burmese, or Spanish is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• • Prolonged periods of standing and preparing food.
  • Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
  • Must be able to work in a kitchen environment that may involve exposure to extreme heat or cold.

Work Schedule:  M-F (weekends as needed)

Salary range: $62,000.00 – $72,000.00/Annually (DOE)

Position Overview

Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corporation (AFCFC) is looking for a Travel Coordinator under the Field Operations Department. This position requires processing a high volume of travel requests while meeting travel policies, guidelines and budgets to deliver efficient travel arrangements for staff.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• • • Process travel arrangements for all field and office staff
    • Reconcile employees’ assignments, collect final receipts
    • Review and verify invoices and receipts
    • Coordinate with travel agencies, hotel sales representatives, and rental car sales representatives
    • Multitask in answering phone calls and processing travel arrangements in a timely manner
    • Coordinate with Human Resources and collect documents for employees’ auto claims

Qualifications & Skills

• • • Bachelor’s Degree in Business, preferred
    • 2 years of customer service or retail experience
    • 2 years of Travel Coordinating and/or Industry experience, preferred
    • Excellent customer service skills
    • Understanding of travel policies and regulations
    • Strong working knowledge of the travel industry
    • Ability to maintain and manage vendor relationships
    • Negotiation skills
    • Demonstrate a strong ability to analyze problems and analytical thinking
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
    • Able to calculate accurately
    • Detail orientated
    • Ability to adapt and excel in a fast-paced environment
    • Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously
    • Extensive computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Access, web browsing, networking, etc.)
    • Working well in cooperating with others for the benefit of the company

• Physical Demands:

• • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Salary Range:  $18.00 – 22.00/hour (DOE)

Position Overview

The Assistant Regional Manager will assist with the business operations of franchised and corporate sushi bars. Some may include multiple concepts including hot food.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• • Assist with opening new locations
  • Visit, inspect and evaluate sushi bars to determine whether operation meets AFC standards
  • Recruit for prospective franchisees
  • Conduct market research
  • Operate sushi bar until managed by franchisee
  • Assist the Regional Manager in all aspects of the AFC business
  • Conduct schedules for chefs and/or Field Supervisors
  • Must be able to travel 50% of the time

Qualifications & Skills

• • Minimum 4 – 6 years experience managing/supervising staff
  • Must have previous experience in restaurant management and multi-line, preferably in sushi industry
  • Experience in prepared packaged foods a plus
  • Asian cuisine facility experience
  • Sushi experience
  • Japanese restaurant experience
  • Must be able to travel out of state for extended periods of time
  • Must be a team player
  • Must have good communication, oral, and written skills

Physical Requirements:

• • Prolonged periods standing and walking up to 8 hours or more
  • Frequent bending, lifting, pushing, pulling of products, material, etc.
  • Must be able to move/lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Position Overview

The Delivery Driver/Helper (Category 3) for the Central Kitchen will report to the Production Manager of the Central Kitchen. This position will be responsible for delivery of goods from our Central Kitchen location. In addition, this position will assist with ingredient preparation, production, and packaging after delivery is made to all stores.

Primary Job Functions (70%)

• • Deliveries: 5 days of deliveries by himself/herself of product to our delivery locations from our Central Kitchen.
  • Establish business relationship with store managers, receivers, and employees for advanced updates.
  • Record keeping for all delivery stores. (POs, Production, Logs, DPRs, Refunds, etc.)
  • Food Safety: Comply with all AFC Food Safety requirements and regulations.
  • Receiving; food materials and supplies (frozen/chilled/dry), able to identify the quality and quantity of product.
  • Work with the team to ensure proper set-up and stocking of stations with all necessary supplies.
  • Work with the team to portion prep work for other shifts.
  • Maintain a positive and professional approach with the team.

Secondary Job Functions (25%)

• • Preparation of vegetables, sauces, and frozen ingredients.
  • Cutting, slicing, and filleting different types of fish per AFC’s standard.
  • Preparing various types of products according to AFC’s guidelines and recipes on quality, portion size, presentation, labeling and food safety.
  • Production of up to 60 sushi packages per hour.
  • Ensure that all AFC’s recipes are maintained at the highest level of quality and consistency.
  • Ensure that all products are prepared in high quality and timely fashion.
  • Food Safety: Comply with all AFC Food Safety requirements and regulations.
  • Record keeping; GMP, sanitation, production records must be entered properly in a timely manner.

Other Job Functions (5%)

• • Additional tasks, meetings, or events as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• • High school diploma/GED preferred
  • Entry level to 5 years Sushi Chef experience and safe handling of food delivery and food preparation.
  • Maintain a good driving record for 5 years.
  • Served Safe certified required.
  • Great communicator in a multicultural environment, reliable, and a quick learner.
  • Basic record keeping; inventory control
  • Knowledge of sushi making
  • Advanced sushi ingredient preparation, and roll preparation
  • Available for overnight shifts.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Time management: able to organize and prioritize tasks and complete under time constraints.
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Familiar with deliver routes assigned.
  • Food Handlers Card

Physical Requirements:

• • Able to lift and carry up to 50lbs
  • Able to stand for long period of time

Salary range: $22.00/hourly

Position Overview

The Delivery Driver/Helper (Category 1) for the Central Kitchen will report to the Production Manager of the Central Kitchen. This position will be responsible for delivery of goods from our Central Kitchen location. In addition, this position will assist with basic ingredient preparation after delivery is made to all stores.

Primary Job Functions (70%)

• • • Minimum 5 days of deliveries of product to our delivery locations from our Central Kitchen
    • Learn the store names and recognize store managers, receivers, and employees.
    • Record completed delivery orders accurately and immediately. Help with record keeping and waste.
    • Clean and maintain all equipment and work areas associated with the job function.
    • Report all equipment problems and maintenance issues to the Production Manager/Supervisor.
    • Work with the team to ensure proper set-up and stocking of stations with all necessary supplies.
    • Work with the team to portion prep work for other shifts.
    • Maintain a positive and professional approach with the team.

Secondary Job Functions (25%)

• • • Preparation of wasabi, ginger, vegetables, and imitation crab meat.
    • Preparing various types of products according to AFC’s guidelines and recipes on quality, portion size, presentation, labeling and food safety.
    • Ensure that all AFC’s recipes are maintained at the highest level of quality and consistency.
    • Ensure that all products are prepared in high quality and timely fashion.
    • Follow company guidelines and recipes at all times

Other Job Functions (5%)

• • • Additional tasks, meetings, or events as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• • • High school diploma/GED preferred
    • Entry level to basic knowledge of food delivery and food preparation.
    • Maintain a good driving record for 5 years.
    • Served Safe certified required.
    • Great communicator in a multicultural environment, reliable, and a quick learner.
    • Available for different shifts.
    • Fluency in English.
    • Basic culinary background.
    • Able to organize and prioritize tasks and complete under time constraints.
    • Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
    • Familiar with deliver routes assigned.
    • Food Handlers Card

Physical Requirements:

• • • Able to lift and carry up to 50lbs
    • Able to stand for long period of time

Salary range $19.00/hourly

Position Overview

Assistant Regional Manager will assist with business operations of franchised and corporate sushi bars. Some may include multiple concepts including hot food.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Assist with opening new location
• Visit, inspect and evaluate sushi bars to determine whether operation meets AFC standards
• Recruit for prospective franchisees
• Conduct market research
• Operate sushi bar until managed by franchisee
• Assist the Regional Manager in all aspects of the AFC business
• Conduct schedules for chefs and/or Field Supervisors
• Must be able to travel 50% of the time

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 4 – 6 years experience managing/supervising staff
• Must have previous experience in restaurant management and multi-line, preferably in sushi industry
• Experience in prepared packaged foods a plus
• Must be able to travel out of state for extended periods of time
• Must be a team player
• Must have good communication, oral, and written skills

Employee Offered Benefits

AFCFC’s benefit package includes group medical, dental, and vision health benefits; basic life and AD&D, flexible PTO, paid holiday, and 401k retirement plan with company match provision

Position Overview

Hot Food Field Supervisor will directly supervise, and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Be an inspiration and motivate daily excellence
• Supervise and coordinate all culinary activities
• Oversee guest services and resolve issues
• Ensure a high quality of ingredients and food preparation
• Building sales and executing promotional programs
• Analyze sales trend and labor control
• Recruit and interview potential prospective Franchisee
• Interview, hire and train all field employees
• Oversee the daily operation of food service staff
• Monitor quality of products and services produced
• Adjust daily schedules for shift personnel to ensure optimal efficiency
• Manage inventory of ingredients and supplies
• Maintain health standards for raw and finished products
• Must be able to travel 95%+ of the time

Qualifications & Skills

• ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification required
• Previous experience in food service or other related fields (3+ years of Multi-Unit Management experience preferred)
• Knowledge of common food safety practices
• Strong leadership qualities
• Must be dependable, reliable and motivated
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Shift flexibility (must be able to work closing shifts, holidays, and evenings as needed)
• Able to grasp, reach overhead, push, lift and carry up to 50 pounds

Employee Offered Benefits

AFCFC’s benefit package includes group medical, dental, and vision health benefits; basic life and AD&D, flexible PTO, paid holiday, and 401k retirement plan with company match provision

Salary Range: $47,840 – $50,232 annually

Position Overview

Temporary Sushi Chefs’ assignments are in various AFCFC sushi bars around the nation. Responsibilities include operating sushi bar and/or hot foods service counters under AFC corporate management (AFC Mgmt.) until assignment ends. Training will be provided during a 2-week orientation at AFC Headquarters.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Open sushi bar and/or hot food service counter i.e. Sizzling Wok, Steam Table or Hot Bowl
• Make sushi items and/or hot foods
• Post applicable promotional displays (posters, banners, etc.)
• Promote food product by demonstration/sampling
• Close sushi bar and/or hot food service counter
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma/GED preferred
• Minimum 3 years experience as a sushi chef
• Knowledge of sushi making and safe handling of food
• Served Safe certified preferred
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Must take initiative and be able to work efficiently with minimal supervision
• Must be detail oriented

Position Overview

Food Safety Specialist will oversee and routinely conduct inspections of franchise locations to ensure safety and sanitation procedures and regulations are maintained and compliant to SSOP, store requirements, and the state and local laws.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• • Oversee food safety and sanitation procedures for retail food service establishments
  • Conduct routine inspections of franchise locations to determine compliance with SSOP, store requirements, and state and local laws
  • Educate operators during routine visits on food safety, internal policies, and operational procedures
  • Conduct investigations on reported matters of product quality, food service operation compliance and related categories
  • Lead Food Safety Training/Discussion sessions with operators and partners
  • Establish, develop, and maintain alliances with regulatory and industry partners

Qualifications & Skills

• • BA/BS Degree in Biology, Food Science, Environmental Health, Microbiology, or related field
  • A minimum of two years of food safety experience
  • Knowledge in food safety (Retail Food Code) is required
  • REHS/RS or CP-FS credential is a plus
  • Experience in retail food service is a plus
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain an excellent Motor Vehicle Record
  • Overnight travel per month—extensive
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Ability to manage time efficiently and execute projects diligently
  • Fluent in Microsoft applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
  • Must have excellent oral and written communication skills; be able to converse calmly and effectively during crisis situations

Employee Offered Benefits

AFCFC’s benefit package includes group medical, dental, and vision health benefits; basic life and AD&D, flexible PTO, paid holiday, and 401k retirement plan with company match provision.

Salary range:  Depends on location (various by state)