Kitchen Manager

Company: Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe (LeHoltz Collective LLC) Location: Ankeny, IA Position Type: Full-Time Hourly (Non-Exempt, phased onboarding) Compensation: $22.00 - $25.00+ per hour (commensurate with experience) Reports To: Owner & CEO Direct Reports: Cafe Attendants and Baristas Facility Access: Keyholder (Opening/Closing Authority, Alarm System & POS Manager Access) Estimated Start Date: September 15, 2026 - September 30, 2026 About Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe is an imaginative, clean, and engaging indoor play space for children paired with a full-service espresso bar and cafe serving high-quality coffee, specialty drinks, and curated food for parents and caregivers. Ideal Candidate You are a skilled, detail-oriented leader with proven, hands-on experience in food service operations, cafe workflows, and kitchen management. You understand the discipline required to oversee a clean, safe, and efficient cafe food operation, manage grab-and-go displays, maintain holding cabinets, and ensure strict health code compliance. You thrive in a welcoming, family-first environment and recognize that our cafe is a sanctuary for parents and caregivers. Bringing a strong work ethic, high standards for quality and consistency, and a creative eye for daily presentation, you are just as energized by running a smooth morning counter rush as you are managing inventory, ordering, and prep. You are patient, adaptable, and excited to build a vibrant community hub while growing alongside the business. Key Responsibilities 1. Food & Beverage Operations, Assembly & Quality Control Oversee the daily preparation, heating, assembly, and safety of all food, snack, and bakery items. Enforce exact portioning, recipe accuracy, presentation standards, and safe food-handling practices across all shift team members. Manage the rotation, stocking, and visual presentation of food display cases, grab-and-go units, refrigerators, freezers, and bakery items to minimize waste and ensure maximum freshness. Coordinate weekly with the Event Experience & Specialty Coffee Manager to forecast party food requirements, verify catering/snack platters, and align service timing for weekend celebrations. 2. Food Safety, Sanitation & Health Compliance Maintain strict, non-negotiable compliance with local and state health department regulations and food safety guidelines. Serve as the primary on-site lead for local health department inspections. Maintain digital logs for refrigeration, holding temperatures, sanitizer stations, and dishwashing equipment. Enforce date-labeling, allergen safeguards, and FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation. Keep the prep area, warming stations, refrigeration units, dish station, and customer seating areas spotlessly clean, sanitized, and organized. 3. Inventory, Purchasing & Cost Control Conduct weekly inventory counts for all food items, pastries, bakery goods, dairy/alternatives, paper goods, packaging, and cleaning/sanitation supplies. Manage vendor relationships, place timely supply orders (e.g., Martin Bros.), and control Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) through proactive waste tracking and portion control. Receive food deliveries, ensuring proper temperature checks, safe storage, and immediate stocking. 4. Team Leadership & Daily Operations Lead daily shift operations, direct team workflows across the food prep and counter areas, and maintain warm, fast-paced customer service. Train, mentor, and hold staff accountable to strict health department standards, food assembly procedures, and cleanliness checklists. Oversee opening and closing checklists, equipment maintenance, and prep schedules. Act as primary morning Keyholder: unlock the facility, disarm the security system, verify holding temperatures, and balance opening cash drawers. Provide agile cross-backup support for front-counter register transactions and customer service during peak play and cafe rushes. 5. Content Collaboration & Marketing Maintain photo-ready presentation across all food display cases and cafe merchandise. Capture high-quality photos and short-form video clips featuring food items, bakery specials, and behind-the-scenes cafe energy. Collaborate with the Owner to plan, post, and execute cafe-related social media content and highlight menu rollouts to drive foot traffic. Pre-Opening Phase & Schedule Expectations Pre-Opening Month (Setup & Onboarding Phase - Sept 15 to Oct 15): Reduced/flexible hours dedicated to kitchen setup, warming equipment commissioning, vendor integration, menu testing, staff training, and pre-opening marketing preparation. Soft Launch (Weeks 1–2): Initial 20 hours/week (two 10-hour management shifts across Saturday and Sunday operating days). Expanded Schedule (Weeks 3–12): 32 hours/week across 4 operational days (Friday through Monday opening shifts, e.g., 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM). Full Operating Schedule (Post Year-End): 35-40 hours per week across regular operational schedules. Weekend availability during peak morning/afternoon play and cafe hours is required. Mandatory Certifications & Prerequisites ServSafe Food Manager Certification: Active/current and must maintain throughout employment. CPR / First Aid Certification: Active/current or obtained within 30 days of hire. Management Experience: Minimum 2+ years of direct supervisory or management experience in a food service environment (cafe, restaurant, deli, fast-casual, or bakery) with direct responsibility for food handling, health codes, inventory, and staff leadership. Technical Familiarity: Hands-on familiarity operating commercial cafe equipment (commercial warming cabinets, rapid-cook ovens, refrigeration, and dishwashing stations). Proficiency with Point of Sale (POS) and digital inventory management. Transportation & Screening: Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, and active auto insurance for occasional local supply errands. Must pass pre-employment background screening (county/state criminal history, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle report). Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours per shift). Ability to safely lift, carry, and maneuver up to 40 lbs (e.g., bulk food boxes, dairy crates, supply deliveries). Bending, reaching, stooping, and repetitive hand/wrist motions required for food preparation, assembly, packaging, and kitchen sanitation. Compensation & Benefits Pay Rate: $22.00 - $25.00+ per hour (commensurate with experience), paid bi-weekly via direct deposit. Health Benefits Reimbursement: Eligibility for a monthly tax-free health insurance stipend provided through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) to help cover individual health plan premiums following an initial introductory review period. #J-18808-Ljbffr