Tovala

Production Cook / Mixer Operator

815 W Pershing St, Chicago, IL Full Time
We’re Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we’ve amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We’ve raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.

Production Cook / Mixer Operator at Tovala work in a high-volume, bulk-batch manufacturing environment responsible for scaling and preparing sauces and mixes, using a multi-batch production process, with individual batches frequently reaching up to  600 pounds.

Team members in this role maintain ownership of all aspects of assigned recipes from staging through completion and are expected to achieve and sustain satisfactory efficiency performance ratings following completion of the training period. Primary responsibilities include ensuring recipes are executed in accordance with Tovala’s established quality, safety, and efficiency standards.



Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

  • Prepare food components, sauces, and batch mixes according to approved formulas and production schedules

  • Accurately scale and measure large quantities of raw ingredients

  • Operate cooking and mixing equipment safely and efficiently, including:

    • kettles

    • tilt skillets

    • ovens

    • tumblers

    • manca mixer

    • stand blender

    • kettle pump

  • Execute recipes in accordance with Tovala’s established processes, procedures, and quality expectations

  • Maintain ownership of assigned recipes from start to completion

  • Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and sanitation requirements at all times

  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support production operations

Competencies

  • Ability to read and follow recipes written in English

  • Ability to perform basic math calculations

  • Ability to accurately measure both dry and liquid ingredients in small and large quantities

  • Strong attention to detail and process adherence

  • Ability to work safely in a fast-paced manufacturing environment


Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications:

  • Food certifications


Physical Demands

  • Able to lift, push or pull up to fifty (50) pounds.

  • Able to stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during shifts of 8+ hours

  • Comfortable working in hot and cold temperature environments in the kitchen, warehouse and walk-in cooler for extended periods of time.


Food Safety Responsibilities:

  • Report any food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.

  • Follow and uphold procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the SQF system and other 3rd party programs/audits.

  • Responsible for taking necessary action on all food safety and quality problems reported or observed.

  • Ensure a trained designee is appointed to cover for absences or vacancies.





Work Environment:

Production: Space can be crowded with manufacturing equipment. Must remain aware of Forklift traffic. Noisy; some areas can be dusty. May encounter extremes in temperatures.