Cook

The Goddard School; Noblesville (IN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Goddard School in Noblesville, IN is seeking a reliable cook to fuel growth and learning by providing wholesome, safe meals for infants through Pre-K.

This role emphasizes nutrition, kitchen safety, and collaboration with teachers, with responsibilities spanning meal prep, menu adherence, allergy management, sanitation, inventory, and record keeping.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1–2 years cooking in a commercial kitchen, school, childcare center, or healthcare facility preferred.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certifications: ANAB-accredited Food Handlers preferred; Indiana CFPM credential within 3 months a major plus.
• Background Check: Must pass state background checks including FBI fingerprint, Indiana State Police, and sexual offender registry checks.
• Health Clearances: Negative TB test or chest x-ray plus physician health clearance.
• Physical Demands: Stand for long periods, lift up to 40 pounds, operate kitchen equipment.

Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation & Planning: Prepare nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for infants through Pre-K.
• Menu Adherence: Follow menus, recipes, and portions; comply with licensing and nutritional guidelines.
• Allergy & Dietary Management: Manage allergies and substitutions; label safely.
• Kitchen Sanitation & Safety: Maintain clean, sanitary kitchen and storage areas per health regs.
• Inventory & Ordering: Monitor inventories; assist with weekly ordering; apply FIFO.

Skills

Organization

Flexibility

Joy for Children

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

We are seeking a reliable, organized, and nurturing cook to join our team. In this role, you will do much more than just prepare meals — you will fuel the growth, learning, and development of our students by providing wholesome, delicious, and safe nutrition every day.

The ideal candidate has a passion for cooking, an understanding of childhood nutrition, a warm demeanor, and an unwavering commitment to kitchen cleanliness and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation & Planning: Prepare and cook nutritious, appealing, and age-appropriate breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks for children ranging from infancy through Pre-K.
• Menu Adherence: Follow designated menus, recipes, and portion sizes while ensuring all meals comply with local licensing and federal nutritional guidelines.
• Allergy & Dietary Management: Strictly manage and track documented child food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. Ensure safe substitutions are prepared and clearly labeled.
• Kitchen Sanitation & Safety: Maintain a spotless kitchen, pantry, and storage area. Wash and sanitize all dishes, utensils, pots, and food preparation surfaces in accordance with health department regulations.
• Inventory & Ordering: Monitor food and kitchen supply inventories. Assist leadership with weekly ordering, ensuring all items are rotated properly using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method.
• Compliance & Record Keeping: Maintain daily logs for food temperatures, refrigerator/freezer temperatures, and production records to meet state licensing and quality assurance standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of experience cooking in a commercial kitchen, school, childcare center, or healthcare facility preferred.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certifications: ANAB-accredited Food Handlers certification is highly preferred upon hire. Note: Possession of, or the willingness to obtain, an Indiana-accepted Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential within 3 months of hire is a major plus.
• Background Check: Must successfully pass all state-mandated background checks, including a national FBI fingerprint criminal history check, Indiana State Police check, and sexual offender registry checks prior to employment.
• Health Clearances: Ability to provide a documentation of a negative intradermal TB skin test or chest x-ray, and a physical health examination signed by a licensed physician showing fitness for duty.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 40 pounds, and safely operate standard commercial kitchen equipment.

Skills & Attributes

• Organization: Excellent time management skills to ensure multiple classrooms are fed smoothly and on schedule.
• Flexibility: A positive "team player" attitude, ready to adapt to changing enrollment numbers or special dietary requests.
• Joy for Children: A warm, friendly personality. You will occasionally interact with our young students and teachers, and a smile goes a long way in our hallways!

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly wages
• Mon–Fri schedule (No late nights or weekends!)
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Professional development and assistance with food safety certifications
• A supportive, energetic, and rewarding work environment

Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.