IKEA Food Assistant (Chef de Partie), Full-Time, Pasay City

IKEA is the world’s largest home furnishing retailer with 460 stores across more than 60 countries. IKEA Philippines is part of Ikano Retail, one of 12 IKEA franchisees and the only one owned by the family of Ingvar Kamprad, who founded IKEA in 1943.

IKEA Philippines creates a better everyday life by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low, that as many people as possible

can afford them. Ikano Philippines Inc. owns and operates the country’s first and the largest IKEA in the world – IKEA Pasay City – which offers an omnichannel shopping experience. To learn more, visit IKEA.ph

About the job

Reporting to the Kitchen Production Manager, this Associate role is responsible for attracting visitors to the stores by encouraging IKEA store visitors to stay longer and enjoy more. He/She strives towards making people smile and build trust for the IKEA store among customers, co-workers, and suppliers. He/She also provides irresistible food offers in a welcoming atmosphere that gives our customers a good reason to return.

Your assignment

• You ensure that our customers are always in focus and strive to make them smile by supporting them with an attitude based on the IKEA values;
• You are a good ambassador for the IKEA store in all contact with our customers and gives them a good reason to return again and again;
• You are passionate about our products and actively learn about their content, origins, and other benefits and you are willing to share this knowledge with your customers and colleagues;
• You ensure that you work to optimize sales by knowing the top-selling products, support the range changes, prepare the readiness of your area, contributes to the department’s action plan as well with in-store activities, and you have an active interest in our local competition and provide relevant input to your manager regarding range and pricing;
• You comply with and follow internal rules, policies, and daily operational routines set by the management;
• You execute IKEA store operations and do your part to make sure that our operations are in line with the Functional Commercial Review standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Food Preparation & Production

• You prepare and cook daily meals according to approved recipes, menus, production plans, and portion standards.

• You make sure food is prepared with consistent quality, taste, appearance, and portion size.

• You use your knowledge of different cooking techniques and international cuisines to create great food experiences.

• You contribute to menu planning and recommend suitable dishes based on available ingredients, seasonality, cost, and co-worker preferences.

• You adjust production quantities based on expected meal demand to minimize food waste while making sure there is enough food for everyone.

• You make sure proper mise en place is completed before service.

• You maintain appropriate food presentation and service standards throughout the meal period.

• You monitor food quality during preparation, holding, and service.

2. Food Safety & HACCP

• You have a clear understanding of and consistently apply Food Safety and HACCP principles.

• You follow established food safety procedures for receiving, storage, preparation, cooking, cooling, reheating, holding, and serving food.

• You monitor and accurately record critical food safety parameters, including temperature and time requirements.

• You maintain high standards of personal hygiene and safe food handling at all times.

• You prevent cross-contamination and allergen cross-contact through proper food handling, preparation, and storage.

• You ensure food is properly labeled, dated, and rotated using FIFO/FEFO principles as applicable.

• You immediately report food safety concerns, equipment issues, or potential hazards to the appropriate supervisor.

3. Kitchen Operations

• You keep your workstation clean, organized, and efficient throughout food production and service.

• You make sure kitchen equipment, utensils, and work areas are properly cleaned and sanitized.

• You use kitchen equipment safely and responsibly and report defects or maintenance needs.

• You support opening and closing kitchen routines and make sure all required tasks are completed.

• You ensure ingredients and supplies are properly stored and handled.

• You support inventory monitoring and identify items that need to be replenished.

• You help minimize food waste through effective production planning, portion control, and responsible use of ingredients.

4. Co-worker Restaurant Service

• You make sure meals are available and served according to the established meal schedule.

• You work closely with the restaurant team to support a smooth, efficient, and timely meal service.

• You listen to and respond appropriately to co-worker feedback about food quality and service.

• You create a positive meal experience by making sure food is fresh, well presented, and replenished when needed.

5. Documentation & Administration

• You complete all required food production, temperature monitoring, cleaning, and food safety records accurately and on time.

• You support inventory monitoring, production planning, ordering, and other kitchen-related documentation.

• You use Microsoft Word and Excel for basic documentation, reports, inventory records, and other administrative tasks.

• You demonstrate confidence in using PC applications, company systems, and digital tools relevant to your role.

6. Teamwork & Development

• You work together with chefs, kitchen co-workers, and restaurant team members to create a great food experience.

• You share your knowledge and provide guidance and support to kitchen co-workers when needed.

• You share culinary knowledge, cooking techniques, and best practices with the team.

• You take part in training, meetings, food safety activities, and other IKEA development programs.

• You contribute to continuous improvement by looking for better ways of working that improve food quality, efficiency, cost, safety, and co-worker satisfaction.

• You contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful team where everyone can grow and do their best.

• You are sales-driven and passionate about food and people;
• You have experience in food management and industry and willing to learn new skills;
• You enjoy working in a vibrant fast-paced retail environment;
• You are service-minded and always keep the customer in focus;
• You are flexible and open to change;
• You are confident in approaching and talking to people in a friendly manner;
• You take personal initiative and have good attention to details;
• You have good communication and interpersonal skills, able to influence and collaborate with others;
• You have at least 5 years experience as a line cook or similar capacity in restaurant or food service outlet
• You are knowledgeable in food safety and sanitation
• You have good knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen operations.
• You have knowledge of different cuisines and can prepare a variety of dishes.
• You have a good understanding of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles.
• You understand proper food storage, temperature control, FIFO/FEFO, and cross-contamination prevention.
• You can follow standardized recipes, production plans, and portion specifications accurately.
• You have good organizational and time-management skills and can prioritize tasks effectively.
• You have basic awareness of inventory management, food costs, and minimizing food waste.
• You have basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• You are comfortable using basic PC applications, digital workplace tools, and relevant company systems.
• You communicate clearly and build positive working relationships with others.
• You work effectively with people from different backgrounds and contribute to a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative kitchen team.

This role requires flexibility in work hours, work schedule is depending on store operational requirements. Working on public holidays and weekends.

We offer many benefits at IKEA other than just having the opportunity to work for a global company! Along with a focus on your personal and career development goals and being a part of an inclusive culture driven by values, you will be entitled to great initiatives including Annual leave, Medical and Dental, Family & Community leave, Co-worker discount, subsidized meals in our Co-worker Restaurant, Bonus program, full training and inductions.