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Cafeteria Associate Jobs in Springdale, AR (NOW HIRING)

... the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,300 schools, ranging from large ...

Cafeteria Associate information

See Springdale, AR salary details

$12

$14

$18

How much do cafeteria associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria associate in Springdale, AR is $14.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.04 and $15.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cafeteria associate?

Cafeteria Associates are staff members who work in cafeterias, often in schools, hospitals, or corporate settings, to help prepare, serve, and sometimes cook food. They are responsible for ensuring that food is served safely and efficiently, maintaining cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas, handling cash registers or payment systems, and providing customer service to patrons. Their role is essential for the smooth operation of food service in large institutions, and they often work as part of a team under the supervision of a cafeteria manager or supervisor.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cafeteria associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cafeteria Associate, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, commercial kitchen equipment, and proper sanitation procedures is typically required. Strong teamwork, customer service, and time management abilities help individuals excel in this fast-paced environment. These skills ensure efficient service, customer satisfaction, and compliance with health regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by cafeteria associates, and how can they be managed effectively?

Cafeteria Associates often encounter challenges such as managing high customer volumes during peak meal times, maintaining cleanliness under tight schedules, and addressing diverse dietary needs. Effective time management and clear communication with team members can help in prioritizing tasks and ensuring smooth service. Additionally, being adaptable and following established food safety protocols are essential for delivering quality meals and a positive dining experience.

What is the difference between Cafeteria Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectCafeteria AssociateFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, cafeterias in institutionsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, school districtsRestaurants, catering companies, institutional food services
Job DutiesServing students, cashiering, food prep, cleaningPreparing and serving food, cleaning, customer service

Both roles involve food service in institutional settings, often requiring similar certifications and skills. However, Cafeteria Associates primarily work in school environments serving students, while Food Service Workers may work in a broader range of food service settings like restaurants and catering. The core responsibilities overlap, but the work environment and specific duties differ slightly.

What job categories do people searching Cafeteria Associate jobs in Springdale, AR look for?

The top searched job categories for Cafeteria Associate jobs in Springdale, AR are:

What cities near Springdale, AR are hiring for Cafeteria Associate jobs?

Cities near Springdale, AR with the most Cafeteria Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Cafeteria Associate job openings in Springdale, AR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,869 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

Lean Services Associate

Alberici Constructors Inc.

Bentonville, AR

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with more than 1,200 employees and nearing $2B in revenue, Alberici is a diversified construction company that partners with leading organizations throughout North America to build their most challenging and important projects.

Since our founding in 1918, Alberici earned a reputation for executing with quality, safety and trust. Combined with our 100+ years of experience, we provide construction solutions to the automotive, commercial, civil, energy, food & beverage, healthcare, heavy industrial, industrial process, and water industries.

We build the critical structures that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Our mission is simple — and our approach to delivering on it is equally straightforward. We are as open and honest with our employees and partners as we are with our clients. We are here to work together to do the best work possible to bring this mission to life.

When it comes to our team, Alberici employees are built differently. We seek the best and brightest and are committed to investing in our people and providing the training and resources they need to learn, grow, and advance.

Our Values:

  • Working Safely             
  • Valuing Diversity             
  • Serving Humbly
  • Executing with Integrity
  • Solving Creatively
  • Engaging Fully

What We Offer:

  • Profit-sharing plan, cash bonus programs and annual cost-of-living adjustments
  • Generous salary increases and per diems for qualified out-of-town assignments
  • Health, dental and vision insurance eligibility on day one
  • Paid parental leave
  • Continuing education reimbursement
  • Personalized career development and training programs
  • Minimum of 29 days of PTO (including holidays) for entry-level roles
  • Fitness center for St. Louis office-based team members
  • Gym membership reimbursement for project-based team members
  • Corporate office cafeteria access
  • Employee Resource Group (ERG) opportunities
  • Philanthropy opportunities

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lean Services Associate supports construction project delivery by assisting with Lean implementation activities on assigned construction projects. This role works directly with Project Managers, Superintendents, trade partners, and project-level Lean Champions to support planning, coordination, and workflow reliability through Lean practices such as the Last Planner System. Under guidance from Lean leadership, the Associate facilitates planning activities, supports Lean training, and coaches project teams toward ownership of Lean systems while developing foundational construction planning, facilitation, and continuous improvement skills.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties include the following; however, other duties may be assigned. The Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability, unless doing so poses an undue hardship on the Company. To be a qualified individual, an employee must be able to perform each of the essential functions of his or her job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

  • Supports Lean implementation activities on smaller construction projects, with coaching and oversight from Senior Lean Associates or Lean Managers.
  • Supports project teams during early planning cycles and coaches teams as they begin to take ownership of planning routines.
  • Supports delivery of introductory Lean and Last Planner System training.
  • Assists with preparation of training project specific materials and learning activities.
  • Coaches project teams in applying Last Planner System behaviors and planning practices.
  • Reinforces planning discipline and commitment reliability.
  • Supports Team Health Survey setup, data collection, and documentation.
  • Assists with retrospectives by capturing actions and improvement themes.
  • Supports preparation and logistics for partnering, Collaborative Design Sessions, and team alignment sessions.
  • Assists with breakout activities but does not independently lead sessions.
  • Provides feedback on Lean Edge tools, templates, and materials.
  • Supports pilot testing of new tools or processes.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by their Supervisor.
  • Travels to Company and subsidiary offices; offsite client, subcontractor, and supplier meetings; and other locations across North America to fulfill the essential duties of the role as required.
  • Exhibits regular and reliable attendance in person as required by the Supervisor, Company guidelines, and/or project and office obligations.

    Education and Experience

    Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related field and 1-3 years of experience implementing Lean practices on construction projects, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in collaborative planning and facilitation environments preferred. Must be will be willing to travel to project locations anywhere across North America for extended periods of time (up to 85%).

    • Understanding of Lean philosophy, Last Planner System purpose, and CPM/Last Planner System integration preferred.
    • Familiarity with Touchplan or other Last Planner System management tools preferred. 

    Growth Opportunities

    Alberici invests heavily in our team members training and development in both technical, management, and leadership aptitude.

    This role is on the quality department career ladder; employees participate in a Professional Development Plan (PDP) focused on career advancement. 

    Typical growth opportunities for this position include: 

    • Senior Lean Services Associate followed by Lean Services Manager

    Alberici is a North American company with multiple Operating Companies:

    Alberici Constructors, Inc., Alberici Constructors, LTD., Alberici Construcciones, BRC, CAS Constructors, Filanc, Flintco, Hillsdale Fabricators, and Kienlen Constructors

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