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Contract Cook Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cook - Applebee's

Utica, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Position Summary The Applebee's line cook completes all assigned prep work and set up the cook ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Cook - Applebee's

Warren, MI · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Position Summary The Applebee's line cook completes all assigned prep work and set up the cook ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Cook - Applebee's

Taylor, MI · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Position Summary The Applebee's line cook completes all assigned prep work and set up the cook ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Cook - Applebee's

Jackson, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Position Summary The Applebee's line cook completes all assigned prep work and set up the cook ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Cook - Applebee's

Lapeer, MI · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Position Summary The Applebee's line cook completes all assigned prep work and set up the cook ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

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Contract Cook information

See Michigan salary details

$7

$13

$19

How much do contract cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract cook in Michigan is $13.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.73 and $15.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does working as a contract cook differ from a permanent kitchen position in terms of daily responsibilities and work environment?

As a contract cook, you'll often work in a variety of kitchens and settings, from corporate cafeterias to catering events, which means your daily responsibilities can change frequently. Unlike permanent roles, you may need to quickly adapt to different menus, kitchen teams, and management styles, making flexibility and strong communication skills essential. The work environment is typically fast-paced and can sometimes involve unfamiliar equipment or workflows. This variety can be rewarding and offers opportunities to expand your culinary skills, but it may also require extra effort to adjust rapidly and establish rapport with new colleagues.

What are contract cooks?

Contract cooks are culinary professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to prepare meals in various settings, such as corporate cafeterias, schools, hospitals, or private events. Unlike full-time staff, contract cooks work for a specific duration or for the length of a particular contract, often through staffing agencies or catering companies. Their responsibilities include menu planning, food preparation, cooking, and maintaining kitchen safety and sanitation standards. Contract cooks provide flexibility for employers who need additional staff during busy periods or special events. This role is ideal for experienced cooks seeking variety in their work environments.

What is the difference between Contract Cook vs Full-Time Cook?

AspectContract CookFull-Time Cook
CredentialsFood Handler’s Permit, Culinary Certification (if required)Food Handler’s Permit, Culinary Certification (if required)
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments, varied locationsPermanent employment, consistent location
Employment TypeShort-term, project-basedLong-term, salaried or hourly
Industry UsageEvent catering, hospitality, temporary kitchensRestaurants, hotels, institutional kitchens

Contract Cooks typically work on short-term assignments in various locations, often for events or temporary projects, and usually hold similar certifications as full-time cooks. Full-Time Cooks are employed permanently in a single establishment, providing consistent service. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but differ mainly in employment duration and work setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cook jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Cook jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Cook jobs in Michigan? For Contract Cook jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Cook jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Cook jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Contract Cook jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Contract Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Cook job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,059 per year, or $14 per hour.
Contract Administrator

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Meritage Hospitality Group rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Meritage Hospitality Group is seeking a Contract Administrator to join the team!

What You'll Do:

The Contract Administrator is the primary point of contact for purposes of contracting with and managing relationships with various utilities and service providers for our restaurants. Contract Administrators also work directly with counties and municipalities during the acquisition of existing franchise restaurants and opening of new restaurants to ensure that all necessary licensing requirements have been fully satisfied.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

Contract Setup

  • Setup services and ensure equipment delivered timely for newly built and acquired stores.
  • Assist with vendor selection in connection with new and acquired restaurants.
  • Setup vendors in contract management system.
  • Collect and track certificates of insurance from new service providers.
  • Assist with negotiation of contracts.

Contract Management

  • Maintain contract tracking system to be able to track and renew contracts in a timely fashion.
  • Manage service contracts and vendor information for various service providers such as landscaping, snowplowing, used cooking oil, pest control, grease extraction, hood cleaning, CO2 and trash collection across multiple markets.
  • Manage utility contracts associated with new and acquired restaurants including assisting with the selection of utility providers in deregulated markets.
  • Track compliance services to ensure vendors complete the services as scheduled and required by state, county, and local municipalities, and by our insurance providers.
  • Ensure contract coverage across all locations for required services to avoid service disruption.

Contract Budgets & Invoicing

  • Assist in creating budget each year based on existing contracts and upcoming renewals (including setting company goals for contract increases).
  • Maintain vendor performance vs. budget throughout the year, reviewing as new contracts are signed or renewals completed.
  • Administration of CMMS System as it relates to vendor quotes, review and invoice approval and management.
  • Other duties as assigned

What We Expect From You

The team at Meritage is made up of dedicated, hard-working individuals who exemplify the core values of Meritage. This team has high expectations for themselves and anyone who desires to join them. They also have a lot of fun together and truly enjoy working with one another. It is a team where excellence is expected and accomplishments are celebrated. To join this team, you'll need to demonstrate the same high standards. You'll also need the following qualifications:

Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to track numerous contracts, renewal dates, and vendors simultaneously without items slipping through the cracks.
  • Clear, professional written and verbal communication for working with vendors, utility providers, and municipal offices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (sorting, filtering, and basic formulas) and Outlook, with the ability to quickly learn a contract-management or CMMS platform.
  • Basic numeracy and comfort reviewing invoices, quotes, and budget figures for accuracy and discrepancies.
  • Customer-service and relationship-management orientation when coordinating with service providers.
  • Ability to read and interpret straightforward contract terms, certificates of insurance, and service schedules.
  • Sound problem-solving and dependable follow-through to resolve service gaps and billing or compliance issues.
  • Effective time management and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced, multimarket environment.
  • Discretion and good judgment when handling confidential vendor and company information.
  • A collaborative team player who can also work independently with minimal supervision following training.

Education & Experience

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain, finance, or a related field is preferred.
  • 1 to 2 years of administrative, procurement, vendor-coordination, or contract-support experience; relevant internship or coursework will be considered.

What You Can Expect From Us

As a member of Meritage, you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Competitive base salary and bonus plans
  • Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays
  • 401k
  • Meal discounts at all Meritage affiliated restaurants
  • Plus various additional perks and benefits

Meritage Hospitality Group, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is one of the nation's premier restaurant operators with more than 300 restaurants operating in 15 states. We are one of the largest Wendy's franchisees and just opened our first Bojangles restaurant. In addition to quick service, we have developed West Michigan casual dining concepts The Blue Porch and Morning Belle. Each of our concepts deliver a distinct dining experience for our guests and a work environment rich with opportunity for our approximately 9,000 team members.

At Meritage, we are Inspired by Opportunity and Achieve Success Through Service. We live by our five Core Values - Uncommon Hospitality, Run It Like You Own It, Collective Genius, The Sky is the Limit, and We Love What We Do.

Now is the time to join!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.Inclusionisattheheartof our business.


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