Careers

INTRODUCTION

This Sous Chef position works out of the farm store at Hickory Nut Gap Farm (HNG Farm) in Fairview, North Carolina.

HNG Farm provides a full customer experience through farm-to-table dining, retail butchery, local goods store, and farm tours/events.

This position executes all kitchen activities under the advisement of the Head Chef at HNG Farm.  The incumbent works to ensure that kitchen activities are operating at an efficient and high quality level, customers are delighted with both product and service outputs, and they are communicating effectively to execute all orders.

DAILY OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and cook farm to table lunch offerings
• Prepare and cook buffet style food for small weekend evening events
• Prepare stocks and value added items
• Inform other cooks and deli staff about ingredients used for proper labeling
• Meet department goals for sales, margin, labor and customer service
• Maintain kitchen in sanitary and orderly condition
• Trash removal and dishwashing as needed
• Follow safety, storage and labeling procedures
• Participate in periodic inventory counts
• Preparing requests for food, ingredients, and supplies order
• Receive orders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Demonstrates ability to follow through on commitments
• Demonstrates ability to handle multiple demands
• Ability to give clear instructions
• Organized with attention to detail
• Manual dexterity with hazardous equipment

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS         

Position reports to the Head Chef and Farm Store General Manager and is expected to operate under moderate supervisory involvement, depending on the task and the incumbent’s knowledge and ability to complete the task.  All other staff remain available for information, advice, guidance, or assistance if needed and may provide training, coaching, and feedback as appropriate.

GUIDELINES AND TOOLS

Guidelines that will help the incumbent in this position achieve success and follow company procedures include:

• Employee Handbook
• Google Drive documents and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Mission and Values Statement

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of the work of the Sous Chef is to execute daily kitchen operations in order to exceed customer expectations when experiencing our food.

The incumbent’s achievement of the duties, responsibilities, and established goals will help HNG Farm’s reputation for excellence and allow the farm to grow and profit.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Sous Chef will frequently stand for long periods of time, use their hands to handle food and equipment, repeat the same movements, and bend or twist their body while preparing food.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The incumbent works in a kitchen environment with frequent use of office space, outdoor facilities, and freezers/coolers.

This job description is designed to give you an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities for this position.  As the Company evolves and grows over time this job description may be changed in consultation with you. You will be expected to embrace such changes, to work flexibly, and to rise to the challenge of developing your skills over time.

Company: Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Location: 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC 28730

Description: Looking to hire a positive, friendly, hard working, team player to assist in supporting fall activities in the farm store and event side of our business.

Compensation: DOE

Tasks:

Representing HNGF to Customers

Effectively Communicating Activities Offered

Assisting Customers with Orders

Operating Point of Sale Register

Tidying the Grounds

Parking Cars

Stocking Products

Sampling Products

Light Cleaning Duties

Opening and Closing Duties

[No Experience Necessary]

PLEASE NOTE: This job will remain open until September 23rd so that we have the opportunity to collect and evaluate a diverse selection of resumes as a team.  Candidates will be informed AFTER the 23rd as to whether or not they have been selected for a first round interview.  Please refrain from following up via phone, email, or in person until after this date to avoid business interruption.

Direct reports: Sales, Finance, Operations, Marketing, and Farm Store GM.

Report to: Jamie Ager, Farmer/Founder/CEO

We are looking for a results-driven, and detail-oriented Chief Operations Officer to join Hickory Nut Gap, a pasture based meat company and farm based out of Fairview, NC. The right candidate will have an instinctive ability to recognize, retain, and respect the talent within the organization and help guide employees to reach their full potential through support and mentorship. This dedicated leader will develop and maintain control of all business operations and will be an experienced and efficient leader with excellent people skills, business acumen, and an exemplary work ethic. The ideal individual will also be a strategic planner with the essential ability to specify, strategize, and define opportunities. 

Responsibilities  

• Oversee daily operations and makes adjustments as necessary, ensuring the organization is consistently “rowing” together in the same direction.   
• Executes the business plan, achieving or exceeding established P&L objectives 
• Collaborate and work closely to implement the vision set forth by the Visionary.    
• Filters and translates the Visionary’s ideas into functional plans for the company 
• Develops comprehensive goals and metrics for performance and growth strategies
• Understand and study the meat industry including farming methods, processors, and all other aspects of supply chain and logistics.  
• Effectively resolve issues – must be comfortable with conflict, addressing issues, and solving problems in a practical and healthy manner in a dynamic and growing company environment. 
• Identify areas of opportunities for capital improvements across the organization, including opportunities to improve revenue, increase margin, reduce cost, and increase profitability throughout the organization all while improving efficiency 
• Attract, retain, and develop a high-performing team 
• Lead, manage and hold direct reports accountable for achieving agreed-upon commitments and goals
• Cultivate and manage healthy relationships with strategic partners and vendors.  
• Consistently demonstrates a passion for values alignment, focus, simplicity, and clarity across the organization

Requirements

• Proven results as an Integrator, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, or a similarly relevant role
• Experience building high performing teams, including the ability to recognize and cultivate rising talent.
• Adept at transitioning seamlessly from a strategic level vision to day-to-day tactical operations required 
• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics required 
• A demonstrated execution mindset and a record of success holding people accountable required  
• Understanding of and ability to create healthy organizational culture required  
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills required
• Experience working with an EOS® company strongly preferred 
• Previous experience and responsibilities in Operations, Finance, and Human Resources strongly preferred 
• Experience leading high-performance teams within the food industry strongly preferred  
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred  
• Advanced degree, MBA or similar, preferred 

About us 

Hickory Nut Gap Meats is a pasture raised meat brand based in Western North Carolina.  Our home farm is in Fairview, North Carolina. Jamie and Amy Ager founded the company based on their experience selling local grassfed beef and pasture raised pork into Asheville NC restaurants and tailgate markets.  The company partners with over 50 farmers to bring pasture based beef and pork into the marketplace. The customer list currently includes Whole Foods Market, US Foods, Ingles, Inland Seafood, and Earth Fare, among others.  The mission of Hickory Nut Gap is to build community in agriculture. We believe that relationships matter and strive to make the world a better place.