Chef Manager: Lead School Kitchen & Student Nutrition

Whitsons Culinary Group; Irvington (NJ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Family-friendly schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group is seeking a Chef Manager in Irvington, NJ to lead daily kitchen operations, supervise staff, and craft nutritious menus that meet USDA guidelines for school nutrition programs.

You will ensure food safety and collaborate with administrators to support student well-being while managing production records, vendor orders, and budgets. This role emphasizes leadership, quality, and community impact.

Qualifications

• College or culinary degree from an accredited institution preferred; Food Management Professional (FMP) certification preferred; equivalent combination of culinary training and progressive kitchen management experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of high-volume food service management experience required ; K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred.
• ServSafe certification required ; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment; OSHA certification preferred; must complete all Company-sponsored training requirements.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements, production planning, and food safety standards.

Job description

Whitsons Culinary Group is seeking a Chef Manager in Irvington, NJ to lead daily kitchen operations, supervise staff, and craft nutritious menus that meet USDA guidelines for school nutrition programs.

You will ensure food safety and collaborate with administrators to support student well-being while managing production records, vendor orders, and budgets. This role emphasizes leadership, quality, and community impact.