Manager, Food Services

Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. seeks a Manager, Food Services to oversee the kitchen within Tina’s Safe Haven, 472 Selkirk Avenue. You will supervise staff, plan menus, and manage inventories and budgets, ensuring culturally centered service aligned with Indigenous values.

The role partners with leadership to implement youth life skills programs and supports safe, nutrition‑driven meal services for youth aged 13–24.

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education in culinary arts or related field with at least 1 year in a commercial kitchen.
• Minimum 2 years in a management or supervisory role with admin, HR, program facilitation and financial responsibilities.
• Experience working with Indigenous youth 13–24 and culturally centered service delivery.
• Current Food Handler Certification is required.
• Strong planning, budgeting, and inventory management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and delegate tasks.
• Supervise kitchen staff and communicate meal prep requirements.
• Plan weekly menus with healthy options for all meals.
• Coordinate stock preparation and maintain freezer meal supply.
• Maintain weekly inventories and guide ordering to reduce waste.
• Prepare and submit orders within the approved budget.
• Manage the food services budget and monitor expenditures.
• Collaborate with Leadership to implement youth life skills programs.
• Maintain program records and youth progress.
• Ensure safety and confidentiality and respond to crises.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Menu planning

Inventory management

Staff supervision

Education

Post-Secondary education in culinary arts or related field

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Internet

E‑mail

Job description

Position: Manager, Food Services

Salary: Subject to qualifications

Classification: Full Time, 80 hours bi-weekly

Hours of Work: Standard workdays are Tuesday - Saturday with some flexibility based on kitchen staff availability/ coverage required

Program/ Location: Tina's Safe Haven, 472 Selkirk Avenue

Reports To: Director of Operations

General Responsibility: The Manager, Food Services is responsible for the overall management of the Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. kitchen, located inside Tina’s Safe Haven, including kitchen staff supervision, menu planning, food preparation, inventory management, and food service budget accountability. The Manager, Food Services assumes all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s philosophy, direction, policy standards, and applicable provincial licensing requirements.

Specific Accountability

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the kitchen, make daily operational decisions, and delegate tasks to kitchen staff as required.
• Provide supervision and support to kitchen staff, ensuring responsibilities and meal preparation requirements are clearly communicated.
• Plan weekly menus which reflect a variety of healthy, nutritious meal options for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks.
• Plan and prepare daily meals in collaboration with kitchen staff.
• Proactively plan and coordinate food stock preparation in advance, including preparing and maintaining a supply of freezer meals to support consistent meal service.
• Maintain weekly inventories of food, kitchen supplies, and kitchen cleaning supplies to guide menu planning and ordering and reduce waste.
• Coordinate centralized orders for groceries and kitchen-related cleaning supplies for all Ndinawe sites.
• Prepare and submit food service orders to the Finance Department within the approved budget, allowing sufficient time for ordering and delivery.
• Facilitate any necessary last-minute grocery pickups if required.
• Manage the food services budget, monitor spending, identify cost‑saving measures, and communicate regularly with Finance regarding expenditures and anticipated needs.
• In collaboration with Leadership, plan, implement, and evaluate kitchen-based life skills programs when launched, engaging youth in food preparation, healthy eating, and managing their daily needs.
• Maintain program statistics, reports, and participant progress records for kitchen-based youth programs, when launched.
• Develop positive relationships with youth based on trust, respect, and confidentiality, and provide supervision to ensure safe participation in kitchen activities.
• Respond to crisis or emergent situations as required, promoting safety and respect, and complete documentation of youth interactions and incidents.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with vendors and services that support program goals.
• Work collaboratively with Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. programs to meet youth needs and share opportunities for programs and services.
• Understand and be committed to culturally centered service delivery reflective of Indigenous values.
• Follow all policies and procedures as outlined in the Personnel Policy and site‑specific manual.
• Performs other tasks consistent with this job description as per personnel policies and procedures that aligns with the support and growth of Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.

Human Resources

• Provide orientation and training to new kitchen staff on internal policies and procedures, and kitchen operations with the support of Human Resources.
• Facilitate regular kitchen staff meetings and individual meetings to ensure appropriate communication and supervision.
• Participate in the hiring and annual evaluation of kitchen staff in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Identify staff learning and training needs in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Develop and monitor kitchen staff schedules and time sheets, planning coverage and food preparation needs in advance.
• In consultation with Human Resources, manage day-to-day HR issues as they arise in a fair and consistent manner that is reflective of Ndinawe’s Code of Conduct and policies; provide documentation to Human Resources for staff files.
• Implement Human Resource policies in conjunction with Human Resources
• Maintain a team‑oriented working environment that embraces Ndinawe’s values, philosophy, and strategic plan.
• Review and approve bi‑weekly payroll submissions for kitchen staff.
• Ensure required kitchen staff training and certifications are up to date and not expired.

Facility Maintenance and Safety

• Maintain a healthy, safe kitchen environment, including regular cleaning and sanitization, proper food labelling and storage, and safe use of equipment.
• Regularly inspect kitchen appliances and equipment, report repair and maintenance needs promptly, and respond to urgent issues as required.
• Ensure applicable food service licensing standards are maintained and coordinate related inspections and renewals as required.
• Report building maintenance and safety concerns affecting kitchen operations to Operations.
• Ensure day‑to‑day maintenance of any assigned vehicle and report required repairs to Operations, if applicable.

Knowledge & Personal Experience Requirements

• Post-Secondary education in culinary arts, food services, or a related field with a minimum of 1 year of experience working in a commercial kitchen environment.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in a management or supervisory role is required with demonstrated experience with administrative, human resources, program facilitation and financial responsibilities.
• A combination of appropriate employment history, volunteer work and life experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both oral and written.
• Current Food Handlers Certification is required.
• Demonstrated ability to plan menus, coordinate advance meal preparation, manage food inventories, and maintain a food service budget.
• Experience working with Indigenous youth 13‑24 years of age who may be disconnected from their families, communities and culture and engaging in high‑risk activities.
• Strong knowledge concerning the impact of colonization and cultural assimilation of Indigenous people.
• Demonstration of advanced interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster a safe and supportive atmosphere within the kitchen, acting as a role model for healthy attitudes and positive relationships.
• Respect for and knowledge of traditional Indigenous healing, culture, traditions, teachings, and ceremonies with capacity of integrating same into daily wellness activities.
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of compassion, understanding and sensitivity.
• Strong ability to work under minimal supervision and act with a high degree of independent judgement.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and contribute to a strong team environment with an inclusive and collaborative approach.
• Proven ability to work in a stressful and changing work environment.
• Capacity to manage sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism, confidentiality, and respect.
• Strong working knowledge of child welfare and protection issues, including relevant legislation and reporting requirements.
• Current training in conflict resolution, de‑escalation and risk assessment preferred.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated commitment to continual learning and improvement through the incorporation of reflective work‑based learning approaches.
• Proficient computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Internet, E‑mail.
• Subject to Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry Check, and Prior Contact Check.
• Valid Class 5 Drivers License.

As an Indigenous organization preference will be given to applicants who self‑identify as being First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Applicants are encouraged to self‑identify in their cover letter.

Ndinawe requires as satisfactory criminal record check (including vulnerable sector search), child abuse registry check, and prior contact check prior to the commencement of employment.

Ndinawe will accept existing criminal record checks and child abuse registry checks if dated within 3 months of your start date. Should you be the successful candidate these documents are a condition of employment.

*We thank all applicants for their interest;however, only those candidates selected to an interview will be contacted.