Kitchen Associate Supervisor

Kitchen Associate Supervisor

The Kitchen Associate Supervisor oversees the daily operations of Lifescape's Nutrition/Kitchen program, including food production, inventory, meal packaging, staff supervision, training, sanitation, safety, and regulatory compliance. This position ensures meals are prepared and served according to approved menus, recipes, portion sizes, temperature requirements, and quality standards.

The Supervisor manages day-to-day Nutrition staff, including scheduling, training, performance management, staff development, and addressing employee concerns. The position also supports hiring, onboarding, program monitoring, quality assurance, audits, and continuous improvement. All hiring and termination decisions must be approved by the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO).

Essential duties and responsibilities include overseeing daily kitchen operations, food production, meal packaging, and cleanup; supervising meal preparation, portioning, packaging, and distribution for congregate and home-delivered meal programs; ensuring meals meet approved menu, recipe, portion, temperature, quality, and food safety standards; serving as the lead for daily hot-line food production and providing backup support for kitchen positions as needed; planning daily and weekly meal production and assigning staff to production duties; managing food and supply inventory, including receiving, storage, rotation, organization, and accurate accounting of products; assisting the Nutrition Director with food and supply ordering; monitoring refrigerators, freezers, food storage areas, and kitchen equipment to ensure proper operation and maintenance; ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local health, safety, sanitation, and program regulations; reviewing health department findings and implementing and documenting corrective actions; maintaining a clean, safe, sanitary, and pest-free work environment; assisting with recipe development and testing and monitoring food quality at meal sites; addressing meal shortages, production issues, and other operational concerns; preparing for and participating in audits, program reviews, and compliance activities; developing and maintaining departmental procedures, SOPs, training materials, and checklists with required approval; tracking program outcomes and metrics and identifying opportunities for improvement; supervising, training, coaching, and evaluating Nutrition staff in accordance with organizational policies; conducting staff meetings, managing schedules, approving timesheets and PTO, and addressing performance or attendance concerns; conducting interviews and assisting with hiring, onboarding, job descriptions, training plans, and other HR-related functions; administering disciplinary actions as appropriate and collaborating with the CHRO on employee matters; ensuring employees maintain required certifications and complete required training and recertification; assisting with the coordination and supervision of volunteers and interns; participating in agency events, community activities, presentations, and promotional activities; working cooperatively with employees, volunteers, clients, and community partners while supporting Lifescape's mission and values; maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct; and performing other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Director, CHRO, or Lifescape Administration.

Qualifications and requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Food Management, Nutrition, Home Economics, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered; minimum of three years of supervisory experience; experience in food service, high-volume food preparation, inventory management, or a related field; valid Illinois driver's license, acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and current insurance; strong verbal, written, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills; proficiency with computers and standard office software; ability to work independently and as part of a team and manage multiple priorities; ability to communicate effectively and work respectfully with older adults, individuals with sensory impairments, and individuals from diverse backgrounds; ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and comply with organizational policies and applicable laws and regulations; must be at least 21 years of age; must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; ability to travel to community-based locations and work evenings or weekends as needed; must be able to work in kitchen, office, and community environments, including varying temperatures and weather conditions; must successfully complete required background screening, drug testing, and fingerprinting in accordance with company policy and applicable Illinois requirements; and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.