Kitchen Manager

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the facility kitchen and dining services. This role ensures that all meals are prepared safely, meet nutritional standards, and are served in a timely and sanitary manner for clients and staff. The Kitchen Manager supervises kitchen staff, maintains food safety and sanitation standards, manages inventory and ordering, and ensures compliance with health department regulations and facility policies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Kitchen Operations & Meal Service

• Oversee daily kitchen operations including meal preparation, service, and cleanup.
• Plan and implement meal schedules to support the facility’s daily program structure.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and approved snacks.
• Maintain portion control and meal quality for all clients and staff.
• Ensure meals meet general nutritional standards and accommodate medically necessary dietary restrictions when required.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen environment.

2. Staff Supervision & Kitchen Coordination

• Supervise kitchen staff including cooks, kitchen assistants, and food service workers.
• Schedule kitchen staff and ensure appropriate coverage for all meal service times.
• Train kitchen staff on food safety procedures, sanitation standards, and proper food handling practices.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to kitchen staff.
• Coordinate with residential staff regarding meal schedules, special events, and client needs.

3. Food Safety, Sanitation & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local health department regulations, food safety standards, and sanitation guidelines.
• Maintain safe food handling procedures including proper food storage, temperature control, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Ensure daily cleaning and sanitation of kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, and dining spaces.
• Monitor food temperature logs, refrigeration logs, and sanitation procedures as required.
• Maintain compliance with infection control and environmental health standards within the kitchen and dining areas.
• Assist with inspections by health departments or regulatory agencies when required.

4. Inventory Management & Food Purchasing

• Manage kitchen inventory including food supplies, cleaning supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Order food and kitchen supplies while maintaining cost-effective purchasing practices.
• Monitor food usage to minimize waste and ensure adequate supply levels.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and monitor expiration dates.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to ensure consistent delivery of food products and kitchen supplies.

5. Nutrition & Client Support

• Ensure meals support the nutritional needs of individuals in recovery.
• Accommodate medically necessary dietary restrictions or allergies as directed by medical staff.
• Support life skills programming by coordinating appropriate client participation in kitchen-related activities when approved by program leadership.
• Promote healthy eating habits and support overall wellness within the program environment.

Our Mission

Helping people overcome addiction so each person thrives and builds a healthier, more meaningful life.

Our Values

THRIVES reflects the core values that guide how we serve our clients, support our staff, and shape our culture and standards of care.

• Trust: We do what we say. Consistency builds trust.
• Hospitality: We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Responsibility: We own our work and follow through - and we don’t make excuses.
• Integrity: We do the right thing, always.
• Value-Driven Care: We deliver care that truly makes a difference.
• Excellence: We strive to improve every day and we don’t cut corners.
• Safety: We maintain a structured, high quality environment that prioritizes the safety and support of both clients and staff.

Why Work at Wildwood Recovery Center?

• Be part of a supportive team that helps individuals on their journey to recovery and wellness.
• We offer flexible scheduling from some positions and a supportive environment that values the well-being of our employees.
• We are committed to fostering personal and professional growth within our team. Wildwood Recovery Center creates opportunities for employees to take on new responsibilities and grow within the recovery community.
• Wildwood Recovery Center recognizes that relevant experience may substitute for formal education requirements when not required by regulation and/or credentialing.

What You Can Expect from Us

At Wildwood Recovery Center, our THRIVES values guide how we support our team and operate every day. We are committed to:

• Providing the tools, training, and leadership support you need to succeed and grow in your role.
• Operating a reliable, well-structured program that promotes quality care, stability, and long-term success.
• Recognizing and rewarding meaningful contributions while prioritizing internal advancement based on merit and performance.
• Maintaining open communication and a respectful, psychologically safe workplace grounded in trust, excellence, accountability, compassion, hospitality, and safety.

What We Expect from You

• As an employee at Wildwood Recovery Center, you are expected to:
• Execute your responsibilities accurately, efficiently, and with a strong sense of ownership.
• Collaborate professionally with colleagues and leadership to strengthen team performance and culture.
• Treat clients, families, and team members with dignity, respect, and professionalism at all times.
• Actively support a safe, structured, recovery-focused environment where both clients and staff can thrive.

About Wildwood Recovery Center

Wildwood Recovery Center is a compassionate, client-centered treatment facility located in Clintwood, Virginia that is dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their lives from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. We believe that recovery is possible for everyone and are committed to providing evidence-based care, education, and peer-driven support in a safe and nurturing environment. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to foster healing, growth, and long-term wellness through personalized treatment and community connection.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in commercial kitchen management, food service supervision, or institutional food service preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and sanitation requirements required.
• Food Safety Certification (such as ServSafe Manager Certification) preferred or required within a specified timeframe.
• Experience working in healthcare, residential treatment, or institutional food service environments preferred.

Skills and Abilities Needed for Success

• Strong knowledge of food safety practices and kitchen sanitation standards.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate kitchen staff in a structured environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage food inventory and control kitchen costs.
• Knowledge of commercial kitchen operations and food service management.
• Ability to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient food service environment.
• Strong communication skills when working with staff and facility leadership.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced residential treatment environment while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Work is performed in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Requires standing for extended periods, lifting food supplies, and working near kitchen equipment and heat sources.
• May require early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday work depending on meal service schedules.