Chef Manager — School Nutrition Leader

Whitsons Culinary Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group is seeking a Chef Manager to lead daily school nutrition kitchen operations, supervise staff, and design nutritious menus that meet USDA guidelines. You will manage production records, vendor orders, and budgets while fostering a collaborative, safety-conscious kitchen culture.

This full-time role requires 3+ years of culinary management in high-volume settings, ServSafe certification, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• College or culinary degree from an accredited institution preferred; 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; K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred.
• ServSafe certification required; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction; OSHA certification preferred; must complete all Company-sponsored training requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn new software; proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Culinary management

Communication

Education

Culinary degree

FMP certification preferred

Tools

MS Office

Recipe procedures

Job description

Whitsons Culinary Group is seeking a Chef Manager to lead daily school nutrition kitchen operations, supervise staff, and design nutritious menus that meet USDA guidelines. You will manage production records, vendor orders, and budgets while fostering a collaborative, safety-conscious kitchen culture.

This full-time role requires 3+ years of culinary management in high-volume settings, ServSafe certification, and strong leadership.