Culinary Support Specialist at Hana Group in Charlotte, NC

Culinary Support Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Culinary Support Specialist provides hands-on field support during the first 60 days of a new kiosk opening, guiding franchisees and store teams through opening, culinary training, and early stabilization across COFO and COCO operations. This role ensures every new location is opened, trained, and stabilized using one best way of working, and reinforces Signature Sushi as the standard for quality, consistency, presentation, and readiness.

On Day 61, the Culinary Support Specialist completes a structured handoff of the partnership to the Franchise Business Partner, who assumes ongoing responsibility for the franchisee relationship. This role is highly travel-intensive and is designed for extended field deployment to support business needs. The Culinary Support Specialist reports to the Manager, Culinary Standards & Support.

Key Competencies

Culinary Standards Execution, Hands-on Coaching and Training, Food Safety and Quality Control, Adaptability in Fast-Changing Environments, Communication, Problem Solving, Organization and Follow-Through

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on culinary and operational support during the first 60 days of new COFO and COCO kiosk openings
• Support locations where a franchisee is not yet in place or where staffing gaps require temporary field coverage
• Deliver opening and early post-opening culinary training to store teams
• Reinforce established culinary standards, Signature Sushi expectations, procedures, and one best way of working in the field
• Coach teams to execute products to the Signature Sushi standard, including quality, consistency, presentation, and readiness
• Support store teams in executing production, food safety, merchandising, and readiness standards
• Help stabilize new or understaffed locations until permanent ownership and staffing are in place
• Coach teams to follow documented processes rather than relying on individual preference or workarounds
• Identify operational, standards, or training gaps and communicate them to the Manager, Culinary Standards & Support
• Support the rollout of updated culinary standards, Signature Sushi tools, and training processes
• Maintain flexibility to respond quickly to changing opening priorities and business needs
• Help protect Area Managers, Trainers, and Franchise Business Partners from extended in-store production coverage during openings and staffing gaps
• Complete a structured Day 60 handoff to the Franchise Business Partner, transferring open items, training status, and standards observations to ensure a seamless transition of the partnership

This job posting describes the general duties and responsibilities for the position. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of sushi experience
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in foodservice, retail food operations, or culinary production
• Experience training others in a store or field environment preferred
• Strong understanding of food quality, consistency, presentation, and standards execution
• Ability to work independently in fast-changing field environments
• Strong coaching, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and follow-through
• Ability to uphold standards while working hands-on in store operations
• Valid driver’s license; nearly constant travel is required, including extended assignments of 4 to 6 weeks at a time, weekends, changing schedules, and rapid deployment across multiple markets based on opening and staffing needs
• Physical Requirements:
• Ability to work for extended periods in active retail food environments, including retail floors, kiosk locations, and field environments
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods and perform repetitive food preparation tasks
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull supplies, equipment, and product weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to bend, reach, squat, and use hands and arms to handle materials, tools, or equipment
• Ability to work in environments that may include temperature variations, noise, and production activity typical of food operations
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended assignments away from home
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with company policy

Hana Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer