Build a career feeding kids real food.

Essential Tasks

• Plan, coordinate, assign, oversee, and participate in the preparation, cooking, and serving of food; prepare and maintain necessary records and files.
• Identify problems and suggest changes in methods and procedures.
• Open the kitchen, set up equipment, and prepare the cafeteria for serving.
• Hire and train food service employees in operational procedures.
• Maintain accurate food service production records and consistency in food preparation and service.
• Order cafeteria supplies, prepare food orders, and maintain inventory and production records.
• Set up monies for cash registers; count, balance, and deposit cash received.
• Prepare work details and schedules; secure the kitchen for the next day.
• Supervise cleaning and sanitizing of utensils, counters, and equipment.
• Receive, check, and sign for food deliveries; keep time sheets.
• Coordinate with district client, delivery, maintenance, security, and custodial staff; attend meetings and perform related work as required.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED and a valid sanitation certification.
• Successful completion of manager training and on-the-job manager experience.
• 5+ years of NSLP experience required.
• Bilingual is a plus.

Physical Requirements

Some walking, moving, driving, carrying, bending, kneeling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, stand for long periods, and withstand heat. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by example in preparing, presenting, and executing high-quality meals that reflect OrganicLife's standards.
• Regularly visit assigned accounts to evaluate, teach, and coach — leaving each team stronger than before.
• Train FSDs, managers, leads, and kitchen staff on culinary techniques, recipe execution, batch cooking, knife skills, presentation, sanitation, and service standards.
• Support and lead tastings, VIP events, client presentations, catering, and special promotions at the highest level.
• Assist with menu rollouts, recipe testing, culturally authentic menu development, and scratch-cooked items.
• Address food quality, sanitation, and execution issues directly and professionally, correcting on-site.
• Support new account transitions, back-to-school openings, and first-day-of-school readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership experience.
• Experience in K-12, contract foodservice, catering, commissary, or high-volume production preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and proper food handling.
• Ability to train, coach, and develop kitchen teams and manage multiple accounts.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; valid food safety certification required or ability to obtain.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with NSLP meal service and USDA meal pattern requirements.
• Recipe testing, menu development, and production scaling experience.
• Catering and event execution; strong presentation and plating skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods; lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds; work in hot, cold, and fast-paced kitchen environments; travel between assigned accounts; and work early mornings, occasional evenings, and special events as needed.

General Responsibilities

• Store food in a proper and sanitary manner; assist in cleaning refrigerators, freezers, and equipment.
• Check in food items and supplies as they arrive at school.
• Clean and sterilize dishes, silverware, and cooking utensils daily.
• Properly utilize leftovers and maintain a constant sense of cost control.
• Adhere to all HACCP regulations for sanitation, food handling, and storage.
• May operate a cash register and/or tally sheet and handle daily deposits.

Food Production (if assigned)

• Regulate cooking and serving equipment temperatures; measure and mix ingredients per standardized recipes.
• Cook all food items to the appropriate time and temperature.
• Wash, peel, cut, and shred vegetables and fruit; bake assigned baked goods.
• Complete food production records and temperature logs to ensure safe handling.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED.
• Food Handler Certificate as needed (preferred).
• Able to pass a criminal background check, fingerprint screening, and drug screening as needed.
• At least 2 years of customer service or food service experience equivalent.

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted (more with assistance) with frequent lifting/carrying of objects up to 20 lbs. Involves reaching, handling, feeling, seeing, and standing.