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.