Kitchen Helper Jobs in Aztec, NM (NOW HIRING)

Department

Kitchen

Location

Factory

Status

Regular, Full-Time

FLSA Category

Non-Exempt or Exempt

Reports to

Kitchen Supervisor

Level

Hourly

Pay Range

$19-$21 per hour (based on experience)

Schedule

Monday-Thursday, 4:50 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; overtime as needed on Friday and Saturday

Relevant Experience: 1 year cooking in a restaurant environment. Confectionery and Chocolate knowledge.

Position Summary

The Candymaker is responsible for producing a variety of chocolate and confectionery items in support of daily kitchen production. This role builds on foundational kitchen skills and requires growing independence in cooking, cutting, handling ingredients, maintaining quality standards, and supporting production flow.

Working closely with Kitchen Leads and Supervisors, the Candymaker helps prepare products safely, accurately, and efficiently while following recipes, food safety requirements, and production schedules. This is a hands-on role for someone who is dependable, detail-oriented, and takes pride in creating products that customers genuinely enjoy. Once skills are mastered there are additional levels and pay to grow into.

Essential Functions

• Produce confections and kitchen items: Prepare and process assigned products using established formulas, methods, and production standards.
• Support daily production flow: Complete assigned work on schedule and help keep kitchen operations moving efficiently.
• Monitor product quality: Check texture, temperature, appearance, and consistency throughout production to ensure standards are met.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely: Use candy-making and kitchen equipment correctly and report issues or malfunctions promptly.
• Follow food safety and sanitation standards: Maintain clean work areas and comply with GMP, hygiene, and safety requirements at all times.
• Work with Leads and Supervisors: Communicate production issues, ingredient needs, and quality concerns so they can be addressed quickly.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

• 1 year of cooking experience in a restaurant environment required; multi-ingredient recipes, fresh food, not microwve from frozen. Confectionery and Chocolate knowledge.
• Ability to follow recipes, written instructions, and verbal direction with accuracy and consistency.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced production environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Basic understanding of food safety, sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Mechanical comfort and ability to work with kitchen and production equipment.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and time-management skills.
• Professional attitude, dependable attendance, and respectful workplace behavior.

Preferred

• Experience in a production environment and ability to scale recipes for larger batches.
• Experience working with chocolate, sugar work, or other confectionery processes.
• Familiarity with production tracking systems, inventory systems, or related manufacturing tools.
• Interest in learning additional candy-making techniques and expanding technical knowledge.

Technical Skills and Relevant Tools

• Ability to operate candy-making and kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to monitor product temperature, texture, and consistency during production.
• Basic familiarity with production tracking systems and digital tools used for reporting or job activity.
• Ability to identify equipment or process issues and communicate them appropriately.
• Critical thinking and multi tasking ability is a must.

Soft Skills and Team Fit

• Excellent attention to detail and pride in producing consistent, high-quality work.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a team-oriented mindset.
• Problem-solving ability and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive attitude and professional conduct that supports a healthy work environment.
• Interest in confectionery production and willingness to keep learning.

Physical Environment and Working Conditions

• Must be able to carefully follow written and verbal instructions and work well under pressure.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced factory environment around moving conveyors and other equipment.
• Must be able to bend, reach away from body and overhead, climb, stoop, grasp small objects, and safely move throughout the facility during the shift.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds frequently and team lift up to 80 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to push and pull up to 200 pounds on a wheeled cart or rack, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to work on-site in a factory environment with regular coworker interaction.
• Must be able to work in a facility and handle products that may contain milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
• Must be able to follow hygiene, sanitation, safety, and food safety requirements at all times.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Savings Accounts
• 401(k) with company match
• EAP program
• Short/Long Term Disability – Paid by Company
• Life Insurance – Paid by Company
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discounts