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.
Qualifications
- 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.
- Paid time off and professional development opportunities.
- 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 skill 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.
$60,000 - $65,000 per year
Requirements
- Education: College/Culinary degree preferred; FMP preferred.
- Safety training classes completed as required.
- ServSafe Certification required.
- OSHA Certification preferred but not required.
- Local food safety certification, if required in jurisdiction of employment.
- Computer skills: All Microsoft Office Suite products; Ability to learn new software programs.
- Minimum 3-5 years of high volume food service management experience required.
Physical Demands
Standing most of the day is required. Employees must be able to sit, walk, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. They are occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must be able to multi-task.
Position may require extended hours including evenings and/or weekends, travel to multiple work sites and occasional out-of-town travel. Must be able to drive his/her own vehicle to other work sites.
Work Environment
The work is performed primarily in a kitchen setting. Noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.
Work Schedule
Monday thru Friday, 7am-4pm - Follows School Calendar
Salary Target
$60,000-$65,000
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