Mariscos Ceviches Lead

Marisco Ceviche Lead

Store: Rancho Cucamonga

Classification: Non-Exempt

Job Description
The Ceviche Bar Lead is responsible for executing daily ceviche bar production with a strong focus on food safety, company-approved recipes, cold-holding compliance, product quality, and attractive presentation. This role supports department operations by maintaining accurate production and waste records, assisting with inventory control and ordering, and ensuring a clean, organized, and ready workstation at all times. The Ceviche Bar Lead plays a key role in delivering extraordinary customer service by upholding Vallarta Supermarkets’ Nuestra CASA pledge and modeling the company’s core values while ensuring consistent execution of ceviche bar standards.

Operational Excellence & Production Control:

• Follow production schedules for quantities of food to be prepared.
• Follow standardized recipes and portion control techniques.
• Record amounts prepared and waste on production sheets and/or production software; use records to forecast needs and minimize waste.
• Convert recipes and ingredient quantities accurately as batch sizes change.
• Utilize effective time management and work simplification techniques to complete assignments efficiently.

Food Quality & Compliance:

• Maintain high standards of food quality and appearance; arrange food attractively in serving containers.
• Follow food preparation directions and HACCP guidelines regarding time and temperature controls.
• Ensure proper cold-holding of products (below 40°F or above 135°F as applicable).
• Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation; follow cleaning schedules and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, uniform appearance, handwashing, and glove-use.
• Operate equipment safely according to manufacturer guidelines; report malfunction, damage, or loss immediately.
• Check cold-holding equipment regularly to ensure proper temperatures.
• Ensure all products are labeled, covered, dated, and stored properly before leaving the workstation.

Inventory & Ordering Support:

• Assist with food and supply inventory control, including physical inventory as required.
• Date, label, and rotate all products using FIFO standards.
• Track ingredient inventory and collaborate with kitchen leadership to order resupply.
• Notify leadership in advance of shortages to avoid production interruptions.

Customer Service & Experience:

• Deliver extraordinary customer service by greeting customers promptly, engaging in friendly and respectful interactions, and responding to questions regarding
• Marisquería products, ingredients, and preparation methods.
• Lead by example in upholding Vallarta Supermarkets’ Nuestra CASA pledge, ensuring every customer feels welcomed, valued, and assisted.
• Provide knowledgeable recommendations and guidance to customers regarding seafood selections, preparation styles, and complementary items.
• Ensure Marisquería products are fresh, properly displayed, and attractively presented to enhance the customer shopping experience.
• Address customer concerns, feedback, or special requests related to Marisquería products promptly and professionally, escalating issues to kitchen leadership when necessary.
• Support efficient service during peak business periods to minimize wait times while maintaining product quality and food safety standards.
• Reinforce customer service expectations with team members to ensure consistent, positive experiences across all Marisquería interactions.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to team members assigned to the
• Ceviche Bar during scheduled shifts.
• Train and coach team members on standardized recipes, portion control, food safety, cold-holding requirements, sanitation, and proper workstation setup.
• Monitor team performance to ensure adherence to quality, safety, and presentation standards; provide real-time guidance and feedback as needed.
• Support onboarding and cross-training of team members to ensure operational coverage and consistency across Prepared Foods functions.
• Communicate staffing, performance, or training needs to the Chef de Cuisine or
• Kitchen Manager in a timely manner.
• Promote a respectful, collaborative, and accountable work environment that supports productivity, food safety, and exceptional customer service.

Teamwork & Collaboration:

• Assist with preparation of vegetables, sauces, sandwiches, Grab & Go meals, and condiments as required.
• Support other Prepared Foods functions as needed to ensure smooth department operations.
• Maintain a prepared, organized, and sanitary work area at all times.

Safety:

• Follow and enforce all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety policies.
• Report all unsafe conditions, equipment issues, or incidents immediately.
• Adhere to company dress code standards and professional appearance expectations.
• Comply with all store rules and company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
• Support all current and future culinary programs implemented by Vallarta Supermarkets.
• Maintain flexibility to support business needs across departments.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong food safety knowledge with emphasis on cold food handling.
• Ability to follow HACCP procedures and corrective actions.
• Ability to accurately count, record, and maintain inventory, HACCP, and production records.
• Demonstrated competency in operating multiple types of foodservice equipment.
• Basic math, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to plan and organize workload while working independently with minimal supervision.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in high-volume or quantity food production.
• ServSafe and/or Food Manager Certification required (or ability to obtain).

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced, high-volume food production environment.
• Regular standing and walking on hard floors; frequent bending, reaching, and extensive use of hands.
• Ability to lift, carry, or push up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to cold environments and temperature changes.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.
• Must maintain regular attendance for scheduled shifts.

Expected Hours of Work:

• Flexibility to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

As of 2022, Vallarta counts on 53 stores throughout California (Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange, and Fresno counties), and more than 8,000 team members. The Gonzalez family promises to continue to strive for excellence in everything we do so that our valued customers always have a Vallarta supermarket to call their own.From one small carnicería in Van Nuys in 1985 to 53 full-service markets across California, Vallarta Supermarkets is a living, breathing tribute to the hard work and customer dedication of our founding family and all of our valued employees.Vallarta Supermarkets was founded by Enrique Gonzalez Sr., who was later joined in the business by his four brothers, his son and nephew. Their family roots and humble origins began in the tiny town of Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, where Enrique and his brothers were raised on a meager farm. Their parents instilled in them at very young ages the importance of family and the power of a strong work ethic to overcome challenges.When the opportunity arose to immigrate in the 1960’s, the Gonzalez family was thankful to stake their claim in the “land of opportunity,” the United States of America. Right away, the five brothers got to work in restaurants, either as short-order cooks or bussing tables. Even though some of the brothers were still in school, they all worked to help the family make ends meet.In 1985, Enrique Gonzalez Sr. began his journey in the grocery business when he opened Carniceria Vallarta in a 1,000 sq. ft market in Van Nuys, CA. He focused on selling the traditional cuts of meats popular in his native Mexico with an emphasis on unequaled quality and the friendliest of customer service. He soon expanded the business to a second location and brought his four brothers into the business. From there the adventure truly began, as they worked together as a family to build both a reputation for excellence and a successful business.The Gonzalez brothers believed that the key to Vallarta’s success would be to combine elevated customer service with the highest quality products to serve the growing Hispanic community whose needs may not be addressed by big chain stores.That’s why, from the beginning, Vallarta Supermarkets offered a wider variety of the freshest, traditional foods from Mexico, and Central and South America than any other store. They offered specialty and traditional items customers couldn’t find anywhere else: cut-to-order Latin-style meats (ranchera, diesmillo, lomo de res), spices, fresh fruit and produce, delicious prepared foods, pan dulce made daily, plus everything else you would expect from a traditional grocery store. Fast forward to today where Vallarta has expanded its offerings to include a juice and aquas frescas bar, tortilleria, bakery (panaderia), a cevicheria and more.