Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef     

SPANISH

Job Overview: The Mundo Verde Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef will be the heart of our Food Program. The Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef will continue re-envisioning the way food is served to children in schools. The Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef must be able to follow the National School Lunch Program dietary guidelines, bring creativity, passion, a collaborative attitude, and tenacity to build a better model for school food.  

Reports To: The Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef is supervised by the Senior Food Manager. Will supervise the Kitchen staff. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Menu Planning 

• Work with the Nutrition and Wellness Manager and Kitchen Manager/Lead Chef at our other campus to design innovative menus that meet the National School Lunch Program.
• Use local food sources to inform menu development
• Pilot new menu items in collaboration with our students, families and staff

Kitchen Management

• Maintain compliance with all regulations regarding kitchen cleanliness, proper food storage, recycling/composting, and necessary equipment
• Manage all kitchen staff, assist in training staff on meal preparation techniques and equipment usage
• Keep facilities clean, safe, and follow food safety protocols
• Place and track orders, review invoices to ensure accuracy, maintain procurement records, and manage kitchen storage
• Communicate with vendors regarding delivery and quality issues

Supervising Duties 

• Direct the work of the Kitchen Lead, Meals Coordinator and Kitchen Support staff along with dishwasher, providing consistent and timely feedback
• Manage staff labor and schedule, and review hourly employee time worked on a weekly basis to ensure correct pay
• Meet bi-weekly with supervisor to evaluate progress, growth and performance using Mundo Verde’s evaluation process
• Meet monthly with direct reports to evaluate progress, growth, and performance using Mundo Verde’s evaluation process

Food Service

• Cook and serve up to 700 students daily (this includes breakfast, lunch and a snack)
• Prepare the meals on time and serve them in a timely manner
• Maintain a high level of quality while working with urgency and diligence

Food Nutrition Ambassador

• Engage with Mundo Verde community and create food engagement opportunities
• Positively represent the Mundo Verde Meals Program in the community

School Wide Support

• Expected to attend (when relevant) and support pre-planned evening events throughout the year such as Expo, back to school night, etc. as needed
• Expected to attend at least one family event a year such as orientation, prospective parent info sessions, family potlucks, etc.

• Assist in planning and implementing team meetings every quarter 
• Meet bi-weekly with supervisor to evaluate progress, growth and performance using Mundo Verde’s evaluation process

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Values

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a culinary degree and at least four years working in a kitchen or equivalent
• Proficiency in preparing a wide variety of cuisines and experience writing and scaling recipes
• Two or more years of kitchen management required
• A food manager license, or the ability to obtain one, is required
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred but not required
• Experience with child nutrition programs in school and sustainable practices beneficial 
• Must be able to repetitively lift 30 pounds and make decisions in accordance with established procedures

Skills and Values

• Demonstrated ability to be an independent solutions-oriented problem-solver
• Commitment to demonstrate love and joy towards students, colleagues, and the work
• Willing, hard-working attitude with a growth mindset toward self, students, and colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of personal work and the school mission
• Capacity to embody the characteristics of a Community Steward by practicing six community building virtues and values every day: 1) Empathy, 2) Speak your truth, 3) Perseverance, 4) Inquiry, 5) Collaboration, and 6) Appreciation
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate deeply with colleagues 
• Ability to manage time and work in a fast-paced, dynamic school environment, multi-task, prioritize and stay calm under pressure
• Commitment to, interest in, and experience working with children ages 3-12
• Flexibility, professionalism, creativity and a willingness to learn
• Demonstrated commitment to a growth mindset, professional growth, development
• Desire and commitment to learn National School Lunch Program guidelines
• Willingness to support kitchen staff and students in a range of capacities
• Experience with sustainable practices 

 Other Job Details

• Schedule: 8 hours a day and other occasional evening events 
• Location: Assigned campus
• Position Type: This is a 12-month salaried position which is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime pay under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Employment subject to TB test, fingerprinting and background check

What we offer

Mundo Verde cares for and values our phenomenal staff and provides the following:  

• A competitive salary based on one’s education and experience 
• A Tier 1 school home in which to inspire children in a progressive environment
• An opportunity to be a part of developing compassionate global stewards and life-long biliterate learners
• A leadership team dedicated to supporting professional growth by providing feedback and support 
• FT salary: A benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short/long-term and life insurance, employer contributions to a 401(k), a transportation stipend, and paid time off (25 days of PTO: 7 Sick, 20 Personal), and holidays scheduled in the school calendar. 

MVBPCS is an equal opportunity employer.