Kitchen Manager

Position: Kitchen Manager
Department: Child Nutrition / Food Services
Reports To: Food Service Director
Employment Status: Full-time
Location: Evadale ISD

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the daily operation of an assigned school kitchen and for ensuring that students receive safe, nutritious, appealing, and high-quality meals in an efficient and welcoming environment.

The Kitchen Manager works under the direction of the Food Service Director and provides day-to-day supervision and leadership to cafeteria staff. This position is responsible for coordinating meal preparation and service, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, monitoring food and supply inventory, completing required records, and ensuring compliance with district policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, service-oriented, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced school food service environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations

• Supervise and coordinate the daily operation of the school cafeteria and kitchen.

• Organize and assign daily duties to food service employees.

• Ensure meals are prepared and served according to established menus, recipes, portion sizes, production schedules, and meal service requirements.

• Monitor food quality, appearance, temperature, portion control, and presentation.

• Ensure meals are served on time and that cafeteria operations run efficiently.

• Assist with meal preparation, serving, cleaning, and other kitchen duties as needed.

• Coordinate meal service schedules with campus personnel as appropriate.

• Help maintain an orderly, positive, and student-friendly cafeteria environment.

Staff Supervision

• Provide daily direction to cafeteria employees.

• Train employees in proper food preparation, sanitation, safety, equipment operation, and meal service procedures.

• Monitor employee performance and provide coaching and feedback as appropriate.

• Assist the Food Service Director with scheduling and staffing needs.

• Communicate staffing concerns, attendance issues, and operational problems to the Food Service Director.

• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and excellent customer service among cafeteria staff.

Food Safety and Sanitation

• Maintain strict compliance with food safety and sanitation requirements.

• Monitor food temperatures and ensure proper storage, handling, preparation, and service of food.

• Follow HACCP procedures and district food safety protocols.

• Ensure kitchen, cafeteria, equipment, utensils, and food storage areas are clean and sanitary.

• Monitor proper use of cleaning chemicals and sanitation supplies.

• Report equipment malfunctions, maintenance concerns, safety hazards, and other facility issues promptly.

• Maintain required food safety certifications and participate in required training.

Inventory and Supplies

• Monitor food, paper, cleaning, and other kitchen supplies.

• Assist with receiving and inspecting food and supply deliveries.

• Verify quantities and quality of delivered products.

• Properly rotate and store food using appropriate FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.

• Monitor inventory levels and communicate ordering needs to the Food Service Director.

• Help minimize waste and control food and supply costs.

Recordkeeping and Compliance

• Complete required production records, temperature logs, inventory records, cleaning records, and other food service documentation accurately and on time.

• Assist with accurate meal counts and documentation required for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

• Follow USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, district, and local health department requirements applicable to school food service operations.

• Maintain confidentiality of student and district information.

• Assist with audits, inspections, reviews, and other compliance activities as directed.

Customer Service

• Provide courteous and professional service to students, staff, parents, and visitors.

• Promote a positive dining experience for students.

• Address routine student and staff concerns professionally and refer issues outside the scope of the position to the Food Service Director.

• Support district efforts to encourage healthy eating and participation in school meal programs.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Previous experience in food service, institutional food service, restaurant operations, or a related field.

• Ability to follow written recipes, menus, production instructions, and food safety procedures.

• Ability to work effectively with students and adults.

• Ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.

• Ability to perform physical requirements associated with school food service operations.

Preferred

• Previous supervisory or lead experience.

• Experience working in a K–12 school food service program.

• Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

• Current food handler or food manager certification, as applicable.

• Experience with computerized point-of-sale, inventory, or school nutrition management systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of safe food handling, sanitation, and kitchen safety practices.

• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks.

• Ability to supervise and motivate employees.

• Ability to work independently with appropriate direction from the Food Service Director.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow established procedures.

• Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment safely.

• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, administrators, and the public.

• Ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to respond appropriately to changing schedules, staffing needs, and operational requirements.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to perform physical activities associated with commercial food service operations, including:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.

• Bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, and pulling.

• Lifting and carrying food, supplies, equipment, and other items within established safety guidelines.

• Operating commercial kitchen equipment.

• Working in a kitchen environment with exposure to heat, cold, steam, noise, and cleaning chemicals.

• Performing repetitive tasks as necessary.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

The Kitchen Manager works primarily in a school cafeteria and commercial kitchen environment. The position may involve exposure to hot cooking surfaces, ovens, steam, refrigerated and freezer areas, cleaning chemicals, and other conditions commonly associated with food service operations.

The position requires regular interaction with students, school employees, food service personnel, vendors, and district administrators.

General Responsibilities

The Kitchen Manager is expected to:

• Support the mission and goals of the school district.

• Follow all district policies, procedures, and administrative directives.

• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor