Ugly Dumpling – Bay Plaza, Bronx NY – 270 Baychester Ave Dumpling Maker Job
Now Hiring: Production Team Member – Dumpling Maker / Prep (Hand-Folding Specialists)
Job Title: Production Team Member | Dumpling Maker | Bao Artisan | Food Prep Specialist
Location: Ugly Dumpling Kitchen
Address: 270 Baychester Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☒ Part-Time
Reporting To: Culinary Manager
Hours: 20-40 hours/week
FLSA Status: ☐ Exempt | ☒ Nonexempt
Pay Range: Hourly Base Wage (starting at competitive rate + tips where applicable)
About the Role: The Heart of Our Kitchen
Behind every perfect, soup-filled, crave-worthy dumpling at Ugly Dumpling is a skilled Production Team Member. We are looking for detail-obsessed, handcraft-obsessed individuals to join our kitchen production team. You will be responsible for making dumplings and bao from scratch — mixing dough, preparing fillings, hand-folding each piece with precision, and ensuring every bite meets our high standards. No experience? No problem — we’ll train the right person with a great attitude and steady hands. If you love working with your hands, take pride in consistency, and want to learn the art of dumpling-making, this is your kitchen.
Production Team Member: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Dough & Filling Prep: Prepare fresh dough, signature fillings (pork, chicken, vegetable, soup gel), and other components following Ugly Dumpling’s standardized recipes and procedures.
- Hand-Folding Artistry: Hand-fold dumplings, potstickers, and soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) to meet our exacting quality, pleat count, and presentation standards.
- Equipment Operation: Safely and efficiently operate production equipment including mixers, dough sheeters, steamers, and cutters.
- Quality Control: Monitor the quality, texture, and consistency of ingredients and finished products throughout every production batch.
- Food Safety First: Follow all food safety protocols — proper handwashing, glove use, ingredient storage, date labeling, and temperature logging.
- Workstation Organization: Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workstation throughout your entire shift (clean as you go).
- Sanitization: Regularly sanitize equipment, tools, cutting boards, and production surfaces to ensure a safe, hygienic environment.
- Production Quotas: Work efficiently to meet daily production goals (units per hour) while minimizing ingredient waste and rework.
- Team Communication: Communicate clearly with culinary managers and fellow production team members to ensure seamless kitchen operations.
- Inventory Support: Assist with inventory management — monitor ingredient levels (flour, meats, vegetables, seasonings) and report shortages before you run out.
- Peak Support: Jump in to support other team members during busy production periods, holidays, or special events.
- Training & Growth: Participate in ongoing training sessions to refine your folding technique, learn new dumpling styles, and stay updated on company procedures.
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Culinary Manager to support kitchen production.
Production Team Member: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: Previous experience in food production, prep cooking, or any kitchen role is preferred but not required — we will train the right candidate.
- Manual Dexterity: Strong hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for hand-folding 100+ dumplings per hour.
- Attention to Detail: Obsessive about consistency — every dumpling should look and taste identical.
- Recipe Following: Ability to follow written recipes and procedures without taking shortcuts.
- Food Safety Knowledge: Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation practices (or willingness to learn).
- Coachability: Willingness to learn new techniques, accept feedback, and adapt to new equipment.
- Team Attitude: Team-oriented, positive, and communicative — no lone wolves in our kitchen.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for extended periods (full 8-hour shifts) and perform repetitive folding, rolling, and lifting motions.
- Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs (bags of flour, cases of produce, mixing bowls).
- Schedule Flexibility: Available for morning, afternoon, and weekend shifts as production runs 7 days a week.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as a Production Team Member?
- Learn a Craft: We will teach you the art of soup dumpling folding — a rare and valuable skill.
- Consistent Hours: 20-40 hours/week with stable scheduling — no late nights (production happens during daytime/early evening).
- Growth Path: Production team members can advance to Lead Production, Culinary Supervisor, or Kitchen Manager.
- Positive Environment: Work in a supportive, low-drama kitchen where quality matters more than speed alone.
- Free / Discounted Meals: Enjoy Ugly Dumpling’s menu during your breaks.
- No Late Nights: Production shifts typically end earlier than service shifts.
What Success Looks Like as Our Production Team Member
- You consistently fold 25+ dumplings per minute after training.
- Your dumplings have even pleats, no leaks, and perfect soup-to-skin ratio.
- You never skip a sanitation step — even when busy.
- You speak up when ingredients are running low or quality dips.
- You take pride in saying, “I made that.”
Physical Requirements (Summary)
- Standing: 100% of shift
- Repetitive hand/wrist motion: Constant (folding, rolling, mixing)
- Lifting: Up to 25 lbs occasionally
- Bending/stooping: Occasional (accessing low storage)
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Ugly Dumpling fully complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Ready to roll, fold, and create? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next Production Team Member — where your hands make magic.