Food Production Lead

About CookUnity: Food has lost its soul to modern convenience. And with it, it has lost the power to nourish, inspire, and connect us. So in 2018, CookUnity was founded as the first-of-its-kind platform that connects the world with the source of truly great food: chefs. Today, CookUnity delivers 50 million meals a year from the industry’s best chefs to homes all over the country. Fresh. Ready-to-eat. And crafted with the passion that nourishes body and soul. Unwilling to stop there, CookUnity is expanding beyond delivery to become an ever-innovating marketplace focused on our singular mission: empower Chefs to nourish the world. If that mission has you hungry in more ways than one, you’ve found the right job posting. The Role The Machine Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining the automated plating system to ensure accurate, efficient, and high-quality meal assembly. This role plays a critical part in executing automated production processes, troubleshooting issues in real time, and ensuring consistency in product output. Key Responsibilities 1. Machine Operation & Production Operate the plating robot during scheduled production and testing runs Ensure accurate portioning, ingredient placement, and build quality according to specifications Start up, shut down, and monitor the machine throughout shifts Maintain consistent throughput while minimizing errors or downtime 2. Quality Control Verify that finished meals meet quality, presentation, and portion standards Perform routine checks on ingredients, weights, and outputs Flag and fix defective or incorrect builds Maintain a clean and organized workstation in line with food safety standards 3. Troubleshooting & Issue Escalation Identify and resolve basic mechanical or operational issues in real time Escalate more complex issues as needed Document errors, downtime, and recurring issues to support system improvements 4. Setup & Changeovers Assist with machine setup for different recipes, SKUs, or test configurations Load ingredients, containers, and materials into the system Support changeovers between production runs Profile / What Good Looks Like Comfortable working with machinery or automated systems (food production experience a plus) Strong attention to detail and consistency Ability to follow SOPs and safety protocols precisely Quick problem-solver with a hands-on mindset Able to stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced kitchen/production environment Proficient in Spanish Role Details Hourly, non-exempt role Based in a kitchen / production environment May require early mornings, evenings, or weekend shifts depending on production schedules Benefits Weekly pay Healthcare coverage through Cigna Daily lunch provided Growth and advancement opportunities Compensation All final pay rates will be determined by candidates experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Pay Range for this position $22 — $24 USD If you’re interested in this role, please submit your application, and if we think you might be a fit, we'll get in touch with you. Thank you for your time! CookUnity is an Equal Opportunity Employer . We are dedicated to creating a community of inclusion and an environment free from discrimination or harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability. A quick note for all candidates We’ve recently seen an increase in recruitment scams across the industry, and we want to make sure you (and your data) stay safe while applying to CookUnity. We also want you to know that we take this seriously — sometimes, as part of our process, we may ask for a brief “proof of humanity” to confirm that we’re connecting with a real person, not an impersonator. Here are a