Italian Chefs jobs in Burnaby, BC

Senior Culinary Operations Team Member

About Cioffi’s

For over 35 years, Cioffi’s has been a trusted part of Burnaby Heights, providing Metro Vancouver with exceptional Italian and European food. From our beginnings as a neighbourhood butcher and deli, we’ve grown into a respected grocery, catering, food service and specialty retail business built on quality, authenticity and outstanding customer service.

We’re passionate about great food, strong relationships and creating an environment where our team takes pride in their work every day.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced hospitality professional to become a key member of our small leadership team.

This is a dynamic, hands-on position for someone who enjoys variety, takes ownership of their work and is willing to jump in wherever they’re needed. While food preparation is an important part of the role, we’re looking for someone who can contribute far beyond the kitchen.

You’ll help coordinate catering, assist with purchasing and inventory, support administrative tasks, train team members, work directly with customers and help keep our daily operations running efficiently.

Success in this position comes from being organized, calm under pressure, adaptable and committed to delivering an exceptional experience for both customers and teammates.

No two days are exactly alike—and that’s exactly how we like it.

What You’ll Do:

Culinary Operations

• Prepare and execute menu items to Cioffi’s quality standards.
• Maintain consistency, presentation and food quality.
• Support catering production and special events.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation and cleanliness at all times.

Catering & Operations

• Coordinate catering orders from production through completion.
• Assist with catering quotes, invoices and customer follow-up.
• Help organize production schedules and daily priorities.
• Ensure catering orders leave complete, accurate and on time.

Purchasing & Inventory

• Assist with supplier ordering and inventory management.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate purchasing needs.
• Help reduce waste while maintaining product quality.

Team Support

• Train and mentor new employees.
• Help establish and maintain operating procedures.
• Support teammates across kitchen, deli, catering and front-of-house.
• Foster a respectful, positive and team-oriented workplace.

Customer Experience

• Provide professional, friendly service in our fully open kitchen environment.
• Communicate confidently with catering clients and retail customers.
• Represent Cioffi’s with professionalism at all times.

General Operations

• Maintain an exceptionally clean and organized workspace.
• Assist wherever the business requires support.
• Help identify opportunities to improve systems, workflow and efficiency.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for someone who naturally takes ownership and enjoys helping a business run smoothly.

The ideal candidate is:

• Calm under pressure.
• Highly organized.
• Professional and dependable.
• Friendly and customer-focused.
• Able to manage multiple priorities throughout the day.
• Comfortable working independently while also collaborating closely with a team.
• Flexible and willing to step into different areas of the business as needed.
• A positive influence on those around them.
• Passionate about hospitality and delivering outstanding service.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hospitality, culinary or food-service experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced kitchens or catering operations.
• Experience with purchasing, inventory or ordering is considered an asset.
• Experience coordinating catering or large food orders is an asset.
• Experience training or mentoring team members.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Comfortable using POS systems, email and basic computer software.
• Valid Food Safe Certificate.
• Valid BC Driver’s Licence is considered an asset.

Italian cuisine experience is preferred, but professionalism, organization, leadership and a willingness to learn are valued just as highly.

This Position Is Ideal For Someone Who…

• Likes wearing many hats.
• Enjoys solving problems.
• Takes initiative without waiting to be asked.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Wants to help build systems and improve operations.
• Understands that exceptional hospitality extends beyond cooking.
• Takes pride in helping an entire team succeed.

Compensation & Benefits

• $23-26 per hour, depending on experience.
• Participation in tip pool.
• Extended health benefits for eligible full-time employees.
• Employee discounts on Cioffi’s products.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Opportunities for growth as the business continues to expand.
• Primarily daytime schedule with occasional evenings for catering and special events.

Pay: $23.00-$26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food

Experience:

• hospitality, culinary or food service: 5 years (required)
• fast paced kitchens or catering operations: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Food Safety Certification (required)
• BC Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person