Culinary Lead

Roof Above; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Roof Above is seeking a Culinary Lead in Charlotte to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, coach team members, and collaborate with the Kitchen Manager to ensure high-quality food service for guests and staff.

You will supervise back‑of‑house activities, manage inventory and safety, and help control food costs while maintaining a positive workplace aligned with our mission to end homelessness.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; 2+ years in hospitality, food services, or human service field preferred.
• Experience working with homeless populations and shelters is a plus.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, safe food handling, and safe transit practices.
• Current Serv-Safe Manager Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Ability to interact with diverse populations and work in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise production and preparation of food following recipes and procedures.
• Ensure cleanliness and safety of kitchen and guest areas.
• Monitor cooking and cooling procedures per Health Department guidelines.
• Manage Back of House staff including evaluations, coaching, and discipline.
• Develop Key Hourly employees with daily feedback and coaching.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Food prep accuracy

Food cost awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

2+ years hospitality or related field

Serv-Safe Manager Certification

Tools

Agency vans operation

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Charlotte, NC 28206

ROOF ABOVE

Roof Above is NC’s most comprehensive homeless service provider. Our mission is to unite our community to end homelessness, one life at a time. Focusing on individuals experiencing homelessness, Roof Above offers everything from street outreach to shelter to Rapid Rehousing to Permanent Supportive Housing. Roof Above’s services and programs reach over 1,300 individuals every day across nine campuses in Charlotte.Roof Above was born through the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte in 2019.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Lead is responsible for assisting the Kitchen Manager the day‑to‑day operations, coaching and development of team members, while working side by side with team members during the shift. Primary responsibilities include the oversight of Back of House operations and to assist purchasing, receiving, preparing, and presenting all food products in a timely manner, according to established recipes, and procedures, while creating a positive environment for those we serve, staff and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervising and overseeing the production and preparation of food in a manner consistent with established recipes and procedures
• In conjunction with all Management, enforcing compliance with all employment policies and always overseeing the cleanliness of the kitchen and safety of guests.
• Directing productivity to monitor and maintain efficient and effective food preparation, cooking and cooling procedures per Health Department guidelines.
• Managing performance of Back of House employees, including communicating performance evaluations to KM, coaching, and discipline
• Assisting with the development of all Key Hourly employees by providing daily feedback on performance during one‑on‑ones
• Conducting formal line Taste & Temp checks as part of overall responsibility for inventory and safety in the kitchen
• Overseeing the proper handling, maintenance, and storage of all items and equipment.
• Understanding, managing, and practicing safe food handling procedures
• Managing food costs, tracking waste, and controlling kitchen labor costs
• Directing work for kitchen employees, including assigning tasks before, during and after open hours of the kitchen
• Training Back of House staff on equipment maintenance and cleaning procedures
• Provides a welcoming presence to donors and volunteers.
• Provides support for any volunteer/donor/guest related activities on campus that may require culinary services.
• Creating a safe, fun, and clean work environment for the staff in a manner consistent with our core values and operational goals.

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in staff training and development activities as directed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• A high school diploma or GED and 2 or more years’ experience in hospitality, food services, or human service field is required.
• Prior experience working with homeless populations and experience working in a homeless shelter are preferred.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, safe food handling, and safe transit practices.
• Current Serv‑Safe Manager Certification or must obtain within six months of hire.
• Skills required to: prepare, transport meals; safely operate agency vans; effectively interact with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a collaborative environment that places a high value on teamwork.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Individual must be able to work with limited supervision, embrace a fast‑paced environment, and be comfortable de‑escalating negative behaviors with diverse individuals including persons with mental illness and substance use issues.

OUR VALUES

Heart for the Work

• We choose this work and embrace this place.
• We practice radical compassion.
• We each do our unique part to end homelessness.

Solution-Oriented

• Grounding ourselves in what we know, we imagine what is possible.
• We are intentional about getting the right people involved and we move towards effective action.
• We are exhaustive in our search for solutions.

Bring Our Best

• We practice self‑care, self‑awareness, and safety.
• We recognize what we need to let go of to move forward.
• We exercise diligence and grit.

Value Others

• We honor the profound worth of each life and our work reflects it.
• We meet people where they are and approach others with genuine curiosity.
• We know we can’t do it alone. We are stronger and smarter together.