Culinary Center Assistant (Finance)

The Science and Culinary Center Hospitality Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the Technical Services Team by ensuring the seamless operation of the Center. Serving as a central point of contact for internal teams, external partners, customers, and guests, this role contributes to innovation initiatives through expert scheduling, clear communication, and efficient office management. It reflects a high standard of professionalism and actively supports the Technical Services and Culinary Team through hospitality-focused efforts that elevate the customer and guest experience.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a salary exempt position

Culinary Center interaction, serve as the primary point of contact at the Culinary Center, enhancing the guest experience for a broad range of visitors-including customers, suppliers, cross-functional teams, and community leaders-through timely, professional, and personalized communication that reflects the Center's commitment to hospitality and innovation. Manage complex calendars for Culinary Center and Technical Services leadership, coordinate visitor logistics, and handle travel arrangements. Collaborate with leadership to ensure seamless execution of all meetings and functions, prioritize and schedule meetings in alignment with leadership availability and facility needs, while also coordinating meals for internal teams utilizing the Center or other designated location. Provide direct support to Technical Services leadership and Culinary Staff during meal preparation, showcases, customer visits, supplier presentations, celebrations, and related events. Oversee general office operations, including audio-visual setup, office equipment, and overall facility upkeep. Deliver weekly updates and announcements to Culinary Center stakeholders using internal communication tools and digital signage. Additionally, support onboarding efforts for new team members, fostering a welcoming and well-organized experience.

Establish and maintain comprehensive customer interaction, Serve as a frontline ambassador. Engage directly with customers and guests, providing warm, professional service and responding to inquiries or needs during their visit, to help maintain long term relationships. Set up and manage a customer interaction database, documenting feedback, preferences, and service history to support personalized hospitality and continuous improvement.

Culinary Support, this position supports the Culinary Team through hands-on assistance, logistical coordination, customer-facing service, contributing to a welcoming and efficient environment that reflects the Center's commitment to excellence and innovation. Assist with food prep, support, clean up efforts to ensure high quality presentations and service. Assist with food purchases, preparation, and invoice reconciliation.

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons' established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position's role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. Will use a personal computer, copy machine.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by the visiting facility.

Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites.

Technical Experience: 2 years administrative or guest services experience. Must be able to use a personal computer and various office equipment. Excellent skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint), Adobe Acrobat, and Social Media web platforms. Experience in both public and private companies is preferred. Must have knowledge of commonly-used office concepts, practices, and procedures. High degree of professional judgment; ability to generate trust and retain confidentiality.

Industry Experience: Preference for manufacturing or food processing organization, or restaurant organization.

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent .

Preferred Education: Associate Degree in related field.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

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