School Cafeteria Kitchen Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Make a Difference Through Food, Leadership, and Service

Providence Cristo Rey High School is seeking an experienced, hands-on School Cafeteria Kitchen Manager to lead the daily operations of our school kitchen and cafeteria.

This is not a desk-based management position. The Kitchen Manager works alongside the food service team to prepare fresh, nutritious meals, lead daily service, maintain high food safety and sanitation standards, manage inventory and supplies, and create a positive meal experience for our students.

The ideal candidate is an experienced food service leader who enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes pride in operating a safe, organized, efficient kitchen.

About Providence Cristo Rey High School

Providence Cristo Rey High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school located in Indianapolis and part of the Cristo Rey Network. Through a combination of rigorous college-preparatory academics and the Corporate Work Study Program, students receive both a strong academic foundation and meaningful professional work experience.

Our school serves students from underserved communities and is committed to helping students develop their minds, hearts, and skills to become lifelong contributors to society. Our core values of  Love, Mercy, and Justice are central to our mission and the way we serve our students and one another.

What You'll Do

Kitchen Operations & Meal Service

• Lead daily kitchen and cafeteria operations.
• Implement scratch-made menus developed by A Longer Table .
• Prepare and serve USDA-compliant school meals.
• Develop daily prep lists and production schedules to ensure efficient meal service.
• Work alongside the team performing food preparation, cooking, serving, cleaning, and dishwashing.
• Ensure service lines and workstations are properly set up, stocked, and maintained.
• Monitor meal quality, presentation, nutritional standards, and service expectations.
• Ensure accurate and compliant meal-counting procedures.

Team Leadership

• Supervise, schedule, and provide daily direction to cafeteria staff.
• Assign responsibilities and monitor employee performance.
• Train, coach, and provide ongoing instruction to team members.
• Conduct daily huddles and operational meetings.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and a respectful work environment.
• Address staffing or operational challenges as they arise.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with USDA meal-pattern requirements and school nutrition regulations.
• Enforce food safety, sanitation, and HACCP procedures.
• Maintain required production records, temperature logs, meal counts, cleaning schedules, and other documentation.
• Prepare for and participate in health department inspections, audits, administrative reviews, and site visits.
• Ensure required food service and school training requirements are completed.

Inventory, Ordering & Receiving

• Order food, supplies, and small equipment within established budgets.
• Receive deliveries and ensure proper storage, labeling, and rotation.
• Monitor inventory and minimize food waste through effective planning and portion control.
• Identify equipment, food, and supply needs and communicate them to school leadership.
• Maintain accurate monthly inventory records.

School Community & Service

• Serve students and team members with a positive and professional demeanor.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day cafeteria operations.
• Build positive relationships with students, school employees, and food service partners.
• Model professionalism and the mission and values of Providence Cristo Rey High School.
• Participate in occasional special events or training sessions outside standard school hours as scheduled.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Operations.

What We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Experience as a Kitchen Manager, Food Service Manager, Supervisor, or similar leadership role ; school or large-scale food service experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs preferred.
• ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing employees.
• The ability to remain organized and effective in a fast-paced food service environment.
• Strong attention to food quality, safety, sanitation, and recordkeeping.
• A high school diploma is preferred.
• Experience working in a community-focused environment is preferred.
• Availability to work early morning hours .

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will help create a cafeteria operation that:

• Consistently meets food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Provides students with high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Maintains strong health inspection results.
• Operates within established food service budgets.
• Controls food waste and maintains accurate inventory.
• Maintains accurate temperature, sanitation, production, and meal-service records.
• Creates a professional, respectful, and service-oriented environment for students and staff.
• Continually improves recipes, meal quality, and the overall student dining experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment with Providence Cristo Rey High School is contingent upon successful completion of all required Safe Parish/child-protection and criminal background requirements . Candidates must also successfully complete any required pre-employment screening, including a drug screen , in accordance with school policy.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Providence Cristo Rey High School is unable to provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.

Join Providence Cristo Rey

If you are an experienced food service professional who enjoys leading a team while remaining actively involved in the kitchen, we encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to use your culinary, operational, and leadership skills in an environment where your work has a direct impact on students every day.

Apply today to join the Providence Cristo Rey High School team.