2027 Food Service Lead – Ponderosa Pines Café & Pizzeria

Location: Williams/Exit 167/Circle Pines KOA Resort – Williams, Arizona />Position Type: Full-time, seasonal />Season: March through the end of October />Pay: Based on experience, qualifications, availability, and seasonal commitment />Schedule: Must be available for a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays Position Summary Ponderosa Pines Café & Pizzeria is looking for an experienced, hands-on Food Service Lead who takes genuine pride in serving excellent food. We are not a basic heat-and-serve snack bar. Our café prepares high-quality breakfasts, dinners, handcrafted pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other meals for campground guests and the public. This position is responsible for leading day-to-day food operations while also working alongside the kitchen team. We hope to find someone interested in returning year after year, but we are open to candidates seeking a single seasonal commitment. Primary Responsibilities Maintain high standards for food quality, preparation, presentation, consistency, and portion control. Schedule kitchen employees according to operating hours, expected campground occupancy, and business needs. Place accurate Sysco and other vendor orders based on occupancy forecasts, inventory, planned specials, and anticipated demand. Monitor food inventory, product rotation, waste, storage, and supply levels. Create and execute themed weekly specials in coordination with the activities and front desk teams. Participate in preparing donuts, event foods, and other activity-related specials offered throughout the campground. Train, coach, and provide clear daily direction to kitchen employees. Maintain excellent sanitation, food-safety, cleanliness, and organization standards. Ensure opening, closing, preparation, temperature, cleaning, and inventory procedures are completed properly. Take orders, process payments, prepare food, and communicate professionally with guests. Work independently when business levels require one-person coverage and lead a team of up to three kitchen employees during busier periods. Respond professionally to guest questions, feedback, and concerns. Bring forward creative, realistic ideas for improving the menu, efficiency, guest experience, and continued growth of the café. Perform other reasonable food-service duties based on campground needs. Because we do not use traditional servers, kitchen employees share responsibility for taking orders, preparing meals, serving guests at the counter, and maintaining the dining area. Qualifications and Physical Requirements Previous food-service experience is required. Previous kitchen leadership, scheduling, inventory, or ordering experience is strongly preferred. Experience with food-cost awareness, forecasting, and commercial food preparation is helpful. Ability to work independently and make sound decisions during busy service periods. Strong organizational, communication, time-management, and guest-service skills. Ability to obtain and maintain any food-safety certifications required for assigned duties. Ability to remain on your feet for extended periods and frequently bend, reach, lift, carry, and move food products, deliveries, supplies, and kitchen equipment. Ability to work safely around hot surfaces, sharp utensils, commercial appliances, and cleaning products. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities. Guest Service Expectations Circle Pines is a family-friendly campground, and every kitchen employee is expected to interact with guests as professionally and warmly as a front desk employee. The Food Service Lead must set the example by maintaining a welcoming attitude, communicating respectfully, and handling guest concerns calmly - even during busy periods.