Kitchen Lead Cook

Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is seeking a Kitchen Lead Cook to oversee the day-to-day operations of the kitchen at Oskâyak Waakaa'igan Dibinawaang. The role ensures safe, timely and efficient planning, preparation and service of nutritious meals and snacks while maintaining high standards of food quality, sanitation, kitchen safety and regulatory compliance.

The incumbent will supervise menu planning, food preparation, and service; manage purchasing, inventory, portion control,

Qualifications

• Culinary management diploma or equivalent with 3+ years of kitchen ops experience.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation and safe kitchen practices.
• Ability to plan nutritious, culturally relevant menus and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the kitchen and ensure safe, timely meal service.
• Oversee menu planning, food preparation and service, purchasing and inventory.
• Manage portion control, food-cost management and waste reduction; maintain records.
• Coordinate kitchen staff and respond to program needs with leadership and care.

Skills

Leadership

Time management

Verbal and written communication

Problem solving

Team coaching

Cultural sensitivity

Food safety knowledge

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Shift flexibility

Education

Culinary Management Diploma

Three+ years kitchen ops experience

Job description

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Kitchen Lead Cook is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the kitchen at Oskâyak Waakaa'igan Dibinawaang. The position ensures the safe, timely and efficient planning, preparation and service of nutritious meals and snacks while maintaining high standards of food quality, sanitation, kitchen safety and regulatory compliance. The Kitchen Lead Cook oversees menu planning, food preparation and service, purchasing, inventory, portion control, food-cost management, waste reduction, kitchen equipment and maintenance needs, kitchen records, and the coordination of assigned kitchen staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Culinary Management Diploma, culinary training, or an equivalent combination of three (3) or more years of relevant experience in kitchen operations or kitchen management, preferably within a residential, housing, shelter, community-based or similar service environment. education and relevant experience.
• Knowledge of food safety, food storage, sanitation, cross-contamination prevention and safe commercial kitchen practices.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, Safe Food Handling requirements and other legislation applicable to kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of safe storage, preparation and handling requirements applicable to traditional foods and wild game.
• Ability to plan and prepare nutritious, varied and culturally relevant menus while considering dietary requirements, available resources and program needs.
• Ability to support participants in developing food-related life skills, including cooking, meal planning, budgeting, grocery planning, food safety and healthy eating.
• Knowledge of, and respect for, traditional food practices and Indigenous approaches to food, wellness and community.
• Strong organizational, time-management and prioritization skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching and interpersonal skills. Ability to provide clear work direction, establish expectations and monitor assigned work.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain composed and respond effectively when urgent or unexpected kitchen or program situations arise.
• Ability to maintain accurate kitchen, inventory, financial and program records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to operate and monitor commercial kitchen equipment safely.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including shift work, days, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays, as required by program needs.
• Commitment to providing respectful, culturally safe, trauma-informed, harm-reduction-informed and participant-centered services.
• Standard First Aid Level C with CPR/AED certification and Valid Safe Food Handling certification. Or ability to maintain certification as required by TBIFC

The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer.

Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.

Miigwetch to all who apply, however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted