Chef Manager - Middletown School Nutrition

**Chef Manager – Cook Up Leadership in School Nutrition!** *School Dining Leadership* Are you a culinary professional who’s passionate about food, leadership, and purpose? Join our school nutrition team as a **Chef Manager** and bring your talent to a kitchen that nourishes students and shapes futures. **What You’ll Do:** - Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy, high-quality meals to students and staff - Supervise and train kitchen team members to ensure culinary excellence and efficiency - Create menus that are nutritious, kid-friendly, and compliant with USDA school nutrition guidelines - Maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls in alignment with health regulations - Collaborate with school administrators and nutrition staff to support student well-being - Manage production records, vendor orders, and kitchen budgets - Foster a welcoming and inclusive kitchen culture focused on teamwork and accountability **We’re Looking For:** - 3+ years of experience in culinary management (school food service or institutional setting a plus) - Strong cooking skills with a focus on scratch preparation and batch cooking - Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements, production planning, and food safety standards - A proactive leader who inspires teams and delivers results - ServSafe certification - Passion for feeding students and making a difference in the school community **Why Join Us?** - Competitive pay + opportunities for growth - Family-friendly schedule – no nights, weekends, or major holidays - Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, and retirement - Paid time off - A chance to lead with purpose and impact the health and success of students every day **About Us:** At **Whitsons**, we believe great food fuels great minds. As a **Chef Manager**, you’ll blend culinary skills with compassionate leadership to create a dining program students love. You’ll not only manage meals—you’ll help build a kitchen that’s a cornerstone of community, health, and learning. **Ready to serve up leadership with heart? Apply now and help us nourish the next generation—** **at Whitsons our mission is** ***Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™.*** **$58,000** **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES** **Education** 1. College or culinary degree from an accredited institution preferred; Food Management Professional (FMP) certification preferred; equivalent combination of culinary training and progressive kitchen management experience will be considered. **Experience** 1. Minimum 3–5 years of high-volume food service management experience required; K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred. 1. Demonstrated experience managing kitchen teams, controlling food and labor costs, executing production schedules, and maintaining food safety and sanitation compliance in a high-volume environment. **Certifications** 1. ServSafe certification required; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment; OSHA certification preferred; must complete all Company-sponsored training requirements. **Technical Proficiency** 1. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required; ability to learn new software programs; proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques required. **Other Qualifications** 1. Strong leadership and team development skills; ability to manage and coach kitchen staff in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; excellent communication skills — both verbal and written. 1. Self-motivated, organized, and calm under pressure; genuine passion for food quality and culinary excellence; ability to drive own vehicle to other work sites as needed. **Core Competencies** 1. **Culinary Excellence:** Brings hands-on culinary expertise and a passion for food to every service period; ensures recipe adherence, portion accuracy, and presentation standards are consistently met across all stations. 1. **Food Safety & Compliance:** Maintains rigorous adherence to HACCP, ServSafe, and Whitsons food s…