Kitchen Manager - The Healing Place for Women

Job Description

Job Description

Kitchen Manager

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of an assigned CARITAS kitchen for The Healing Place for Women and consistently executing Food Service and Nourish to Flourish standards established by the Food Service Senior Manager. The position ensures reliable meal and snack service, food safety and sanitation, menu execution, inventory control, and an organized, recovery-supportive kitchen environment.

Working under the direction of the Food Service Senior Manager, the Kitchen Manager leads daily kitchen activities and works directly with program participants, Peer Mentors, interns, and volunteers to prepare balanced, appealing meals while reinforcing accountability, practical food skills, responsible stewardship, and healthy routines. This is a full time salaried position. The salary range is $40,000 to $45,000 annually.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain accountability for daily kitchen operations at the assigned location, ensuring meals and snacks are prepared and served on schedule, food safety and sanitation standards are consistently followed, and the kitchen remains organized, clean, and ready for service.
• Implement Nourish to Flourish menus and standards as directed by the Food Service Senior Manager, maintaining recipe, portion, quality, and nutritional expectations while communicating participant feedback, inventory needs, and opportunities for menu improvement.
• Maintain accurate on-site inventory and food stewardship practices, including par levels, proper storage and rotation, labeling and dating, physical counts, receiving, transfers, and the appropriate use of purchased and donated food to reduce avoidable waste.
• Lead, guide, and train Peer Mentors, program participants, interns, and volunteers in meal preparation, proper equipment use, sanitation, portioning, storage, and kitchen procedures while fostering accountability, skill development, and a positive peer culture.
• Support Food Service purchasing and cost control by communicating product needs to the Food Service Senior Manager, receiving and verifying orders, identifying shortages or quality concerns, documenting transfers and adjustments, and using available inventory effectively.

Other Responsibilities

• Monitor meal quality, participation, and participant feedback and communicate observations and recommended adjustments to the Food Service Senior Manager.
• Work closely with the Food Service Senior Manager, Food Service Driver, and other Food Service Managers to coordinate inventory, donated food, product transfers, and menu needs across CARITAS locations.
• Receive, unpack, inspect, and store food and supplies; evaluate products for freshness and appropriate shelf life and ensure safe storage practices.
• Maintain required kitchen records and assist with physical inventory counts, in-kind documentation, Food Service reporting, and other administrative records as assigned.
• Coordinate with CARITAS departments to provide meals and Food Service support for special events and program activities.
• Support Community Engagement by providing appropriate direction and supervision to volunteers working in Food Service.
• Ensure Food Service facilities are maintained in a clean, organized, and sanitary condition each day, and coordinate with The Healing Place programs to complete a thorough monthly deep cleaning of all kitchen and food storage areas.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and supplies and promptly report repair, maintenance, or replacement needs to the Food Service Senior Manager.
• Maintain required certifications and support readiness for health, safety, and sanitation inspections.
• Participate in Food Service, program, and administrative meetings as required.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Strong verbal communication and the ability to provide clear direction to participants, Peer Mentors, volunteers, and coworkers.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food service environment, prioritize competing needs, and solve routine operational problems.
• Commitment to teamwork, stewardship, accountability, and a positive, recovery-supportive kitchen environment.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, storage, portion control, inventory practices, and high-volume meal preparation.
• Basic administrative and computer skills, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and routine Food Service records.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct staff reports unless assigned. Provides day-to-day work direction, training, and supervision to Kitchen Peer Mentors, program participants, interns, and volunteers working in the kitchen. The Kitchen Manager is accountable for ensuring assigned work is completed safely, consistently, and in accordance with CARITAS Food Service and Nourish to Flourish standards.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years of food service, institutional kitchen, culinary, or comparable high-volume meal preparation experience.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current food safety certification, or ability to obtain required certification within an established timeframe.
• Experience with food storage, inventory control, kitchen equipment, and safe food handling practices.
• Experience providing work direction, training, or coaching to others preferred.

Physical Demands

This position requires regular standing and walking, bending and reaching, and lifting, carrying, or maneuvering food products, supplies, and kitchen equipment. The employee must be able to safely perform the physical requirements of a high-volume kitchen environment.

Work Environment

The role operates primarily in a commercial kitchen setting with exposure to heat, cold, moisture, food products, cleaning products, and varying temperatures.

Travel Required

Local travel between CARITAS locations or for Food Service support may be required.