Kamaka Aweau
West Columbia,SC
Summary
Dynamic Cook Operator with a strong work ethic and proven adaptability at Food Lion Grocery. Skilled in food safety and waste reduction, I excel in fast-paced environments, ensuring high-quality food preparation and sanitation. Committed to enhancing kitchen efficiency, I consistently meet production targets while maintaining a clean workspace.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook Operator
Food Lion Grocery
Lextington, SC
11.2025 - 02.2026
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Pizza Maker
Papa John's Pizza
West Columbia, SC
11.2025 - 01.2026
- Monitored inventory levels, ensuring timely replenishment of essential ingredients.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline order preparation and improve service speed.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workstations to ensure compliance with health standards.
- Topped pizzas with right ingredients based on orders utilizing recipe-directed amounts and distribution methods.
- Rolled and shaped dough to correct sizes and shapes based on orders to fit in oven and cook evenly.
- Learned and memorized menu items and specials to provide accurate and up-to-date information to kitchen staff.
- Monitored and maintained clean working areas and cooking surfaces.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace for efficient pizza making, ensuring optimal productivity.
- Followed food safety and sanitation guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses and promote customer health and safety.
- Wiped down counters and food prep stations using bleach and clean cloths.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline kitchen operations and maintain timely order fulfillment.
- Established a positive work environment by fostering effective communication and teamwork among colleagues, contributing to overall job satisfaction and productivity.
- Demonstrated versatility by assisting with other kitchen tasks such as prep work, dishwashing, or front-of-house duties as needed.
- Ensured adherence to safety procedures and protocols while working in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Supported restaurant success through diligent preparation of fresh ingredients for use in daily operations.
- Maintained high standards of kitchen hygiene, ensuring clean and safe working environment.
- Fostered positive team environment, encouraging open communication and efficiency.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas, utensils and equipment.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Followed company recipes and production standards to satisfy customers.
- Prepared raw materials for cooking by cutting vegetables and preparing dough.
- Maintained pizza-making and kitchen equipment to keep items in good working condition and kitchen operating smoothly.
- Prioritized strict adherence to food safety regulations, maintaining a clean work area free from cross-contamination risks at all times.
- Tracked inventory of ingredients and supplies to keep kitchen well stocked and meet product and service demands.
Manuel Palletizer
Mcentire Produce
Columbia, SC
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Cutter Operator
WP Rawls
Pelion, SC
11.2024 - 02.2025
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and minimize downtime.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced waste during cutting operations.
- Resolved minor mechanical issues promptly to sustain uninterrupted operations.
- Supported inventory control efforts through accurate tracking of materials used during the cutting process.
- Upheld company standards for quality and output by consistently meeting or exceeding production targets while maintaining a strong focus on safety.
- Improved overall product quality by conducting regular inspections, identifying issues, and making necessary adjustments.
- Maintained a safe working environment by following established safety protocols and guidelines diligently.
- Achieved smooth collaboration between departments by communicating effectively with colleagues regarding project status updates or technical concerns.
- Contributed to on-time delivery of finished products by ensuring efficient cutting operations throughout each project phase.
- Enhanced production efficiency by maintaining and troubleshooting cutting equipment regularly.
- Increased workflow productivity by prioritizing tasks and organizing workspace for optimal efficiency.
- Delivered timely completion of projects through effective time management and coordination with team members.
- Managed large workload of quality production in fast-paced environment with interruptions and tight deadlines.
- Kept work areas organized, clean and free of safety hazards.
- Operated cutting machine according to all safety protocols.
Laborer
House of Raeford
West Columbia, SC
09.2020 - 12.2021
- Followed safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment for all team members.
- Maintained cleanliness of work area to meet hygiene standards and improve productivity.
- Collaborated with team members to complete tasks ahead of schedule consistently.
- Implemented best practices for waste reduction, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
- Loaded, unloaded, and moved material to and from storage and production areas.
- Expanded skill set through continuous learning of new techniques, tools, and equipment related to laborer tasks.
- Improved worksite efficiency by maintaining clean and organized work areas.
- Contributed to successful completion of projects by following instructions from supervisors and adapting to changing priorities.
- Promoted a positive work environment by demonstrating strong teamwork and communication skills.
- Demonstrated flexibility with shifting responsibilities based on project needs, contributing to overall productivity levels.
- Maintained high-quality workmanship through attention to detail and adherence to industry standards.
- Supported construction projects by assisting with heavy equipment operations and manual labor tasks.
- Mitigated potential hazards with thorough site cleanup efforts at the end of each workday.
- Bolstered team morale with a positive attitude and willingness to help others when needed.
- Assisted in reducing material waste by accurately measuring, cutting, and assembling materials as needed.
- Enhanced project timelines by collaborating effectively with team members on various tasks.
- Used variety of hand and power tools to complete tasks.
- Loaded and unloaded materials onto trucks and trailers.
- Followed instructions and safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Cleaned and maintained tools, equipment and worksites.
- Moved and cleared debris from work sites to dispose of in designated areas.
- Inspected tools and equipment to maintain safety and efficiency.
Laborer
Mcentire Produce
Columbia, SC
06.2016 - 12.2019
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and meet production deadlines consistently.
- Assisted in training new employees on safe handling of boxed products and a taping machine to utilized the operation.
- Monitored and controlled a labeling machine during processing, ensuring adherence to company standards and specifications.
- Made adjustments on a packaging machine that enhanced overall efficiency of operations.
- Identified areas for operational enhancements, contributing to strategic discussions on process improvements.
- Maintained clean and organized workspace, minimizing hazards and promoting a safe working environment.
- Demonstrated strong work ethic, completing physically demanding tasks.
- Assisted team members with tasks that require group effort on other lines.
- Completed tasks efficiently for timely project completion within set deadlines.
- Notified supervisors of any defective tools on a bagging machine.
- Increased productivity with effective communication and collaboration among team members.
- Adapted quickly to new tasks or changes in the machine for operation, demonstrating flexibility in skillset and problem-solving abilities.
- Performed quality checks on products and materials to identify any defects with labels or damaged boxes.
- Improved worksite safety by consistently adhering to established protocols and regulations.
- Ensured quality workmanship, performing thorough inspections and addressing any issues promptly.
- Enhanced team morale through positive attitude, mutual support, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere during challenging projects.
- Operated heavy equipment ( Bagger, Dryers, Compactors, Dumpers, Pallet Jack,) safely to transport materials and complete tasks as required.
- Assisted other lines through diligent labor and and payed attention to detail on all finished products.
- Followed instructions and safety protocols while operating machinery and equipment.
- Loaded finished products onto pallets and took them off of the production floor.
- Managed safe and efficient use of tools, equipment and chemicals on and off the production floor.
- Operated forklifts (in training) to complete my tasks.
- Loaded and offloaded various plastic materials into a bagger to thread the plastic material through the bagger machine to get them ready for product weighing, heat sealing, cutting and onto the conveyor belt for boxing.
- Washed the bagger machine of all product and cleaned the floors around it to get it ready for sanitation.
Cook
Pittstop
Lexington, SC
06.2016 - 10.2016
- Collaborated with team members to optimize food preparation processes and enhance service efficiency.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Took food orders and rang up the orders for the customers to pay for at the cashiers station. Cooked the orders efficiently so they can be served hot.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity while moving products from the freezer to the refrigerator for the next day.
- Accommodated special requests orders for customers by phone or in person.
- Maintained a clean and organized kitchen workspace.
General Laborer
Hawaii Building Maintenance (HBM)
Waikiki, HI
03.2016 - 06.2016
- Conducted routine inspections to identify maintenance issues and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot repairs to the ac, toilets, factory lights. Also monitoring chemicals that ran in the water through an a-class buildings ac unit.
- Replaced actuators, Calibrated plc, replaced motion sensor and pipe fixtures in a casing in wall mounted toilets, replace door knobs and door closer, replaced multi layer garage lights.
General Laborer
Hawaii Tents & Events
Waipahu, HI
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Assisted in training new employees on safe handling of tools and materials utilized in operations.
- Monitored product quality during processing, ensuring adherence to company standards and specifications.
- Implemented improvements in packaging techniques that enhanced overall efficiency of operations.
- Led daily briefings to coordinate tasks among team members, improving communication and workflow efficiency.
- Maintained clean and organized worksites, minimizing hazards and promoting a safe working environment.
- Demonstrated strong work ethic, completing physically demanding tasks under varying conditions.
- Performed general housekeeping and cleaning tasks.
- Assisted team members with tasks that require group effort.
- Notified supervisors of defective equipment or material.
- Adapted quickly to new tasks or changes in project scope, demonstrating flexibility in skillset and problem-solving abilities.
- Performed quality checks on products and materials to identify any defects.
- Efficiently loaded and unloaded trucks with necessary materials for each project phase while adhering to proper lifting techniques.
- Operated heavy equipment safely to transport materials and complete tasks as required.
- Assisted in the successful completion of various construction projects through diligent labor and attention to detail.
- Loaded and unloaded materials and equipment onto and off the trucks I drove.
- Provided labor support to my team mates.
- Managed safe and efficient use of tools and equipment on building sites.
- Helped with erecting various sized tents ranging from 10x10 to a 60x300 ft tent(s).
- Operated forklifts for heavy loads and equipments to complete our tasks.
- Worked with sledge hammers, 3ft rebar stakes, cranks, straps, pressure washers, manuel automatic floor scrubbers, and heat guns.
- Errected various sized performance stages and temporary dance floors,
- Worked on sites, setting up 20 to 30 tables and unfolding hundreds of chairs and laying out linen table covers for all tables.
- I also drove overhead equipment trucks.
Education
GED -
Lexington 2, Adult Education
West Columbia, SCSkills
- Food safety
- Knife skills
- Adaptability in kitchen
- Sanitation protocols
- Frying techniques
- Food presentation
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Allergen awareness
- Waste reduction
- Prep work efficiency
- Food preparation
- Order taking
- Stock rotation
Timeline
Cook Operator
Food Lion Grocery
11.2025 - 02.2026
Pizza Maker
Papa John's Pizza
11.2025 - 01.2026
Cutter Operator
WP Rawls
11.2024 - 02.2025
Manuel Palletizer
Mcentire Produce
10.2024 - 03.2025
Laborer
House of Raeford
09.2020 - 12.2021
Laborer
Mcentire Produce
06.2016 - 12.2019
Cook
Pittstop
06.2016 - 10.2016
General Laborer
Hawaii Building Maintenance (HBM)
03.2016 - 06.2016
General Laborer
Hawaii Tents & Events
07.2013 - 06.2016
GED -
Lexington 2, Adult Education