New Store - Prepared Foods Cook / Food Production - Full Time - Midlothian, Virginia - Opening Early Fall 2026

Performs all functions related to proper food preparation and maintenance of the cold case, fresh pack, salad, and hot bars. Ensures food quality and presentation, handles stocking and sanitation, and provides courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members while adhering to store Standard Operating Procedures and health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food items for the cold case, fresh pack, salad, and hot bars according to production sheets.
• Prepare food items according to recipes to ensure quality and consistency.
• Label, date, cover, monitor for quality and freshness, and rotate all prepared items.
• Monitor food levels and replenish in a timely manner.
• Arrive on time, appropriately groomed and dressed; work all scheduled shifts and attend required trainings and meetings.
• Provide excellent customer service, address customer needs promptly, and model suggestive selling techniques; answer phones and pages courteously.
• Maximize sales potential through proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Follow and ensure compliance with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; keep equipment, walk‑ins, and freezers clean and organized according to WFM standards.
• Perform opening, mid‑day, and closing duties as assigned; ensure accuracy of signs and pricing.
• Immediately report safety hazards and violations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by store, regional, or national leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough product knowledge.
• Ability to follow recipes.
• Good understanding of food production and fundamental cooking techniques.
• Basic math skills.
• Strong to excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver information clearly and respectfully to Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions.
• Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
• Passion for natural foods and the Whole Foods Market mission.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with a sense of urgency.
• Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals.

Desired Work Experience

• 6–12 months retail experience.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8‑hour work day: standing/walking 6–8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Required motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA‑approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 °F (freezing), 32‑40 °F (refrigerators), >90 °F.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment such as knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• May require use of ladders.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $15.50–$29.20 hourly, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for full‑ and part‑time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility is determined by the applicable Whole Benefits plan at the date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type.