Culinary Program Lead - Build Inclusive Community Kitchen

Hope Served; Manheim (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Hope Served in Manheim, PA, is seeking a Culinary Program Lead to steer the cafe, bistro, catering, and related food-service initiatives. This hands-on role combines kitchen leadership, menu development, and hospitality with a mission-driven focus on creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced culinary professional and restaurant operator who can build systems, train staff, manage costs, and foster an inclusive kitchen culture

Qualifications

• Professional culinary or restaurant management experience.
• Experience managing a commercial kitchen, restaurant, catering operation, or comparable food-service environment.
• Demonstrated experience with menu development and recipe creation.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food costs, inventory, and kitchen operations.
• Experience supervising and developing employees.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a hands-on kitchen environment.
• Commitment to Hope Served's mission and inclusive employment.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen and culinary operations.
• Develop and maintain menus that are appealing, practical, seasonal, and financially sustainable.
• Create recipes, standardized recipes, production procedures, and portion controls.
• Establish food-quality standards and ensure consistent execution.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, presentation, and service.
• Develop menus for the Bistro, catering, special events, mobile food operations, and other Hope Served food enterprises.
• Identify opportunities for new products, menu items, seasonal offerings, and revenue-generating food concepts.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff in culinary skills and professional kitchen practices.
• Maintain a positive, professional, team-oriented kitchen culture.
• Lead daily back-of-house operations and collaborate with front-of-house leadership.
• Develop kitchen schedules and staffing plans.
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, receiving, storage, and vendor relationships.
• Establish systems for food cost control, waste reduction, portion control, and inventory management.
• Monitor food-service revenue and expenses and contribute to financial forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, health department, and ServSafe requirements.
• Maintain appropriate kitchen cleanliness, organization, and equipment standards.
• Establish opening, closing, prep, cleaning, and production procedures.
• Assist with catering, community events, and off-site food-service operations.
• Develop a sustainable culinary business model in partnership with Hope Served leadership.
• Analyze food costs, pricing, margins, and profitability.
• Develop catering menus and pricing.
• Identify new culinary revenue opportunities.
• Assist with corporate gifting, wholesale, retail, mobile food, and special-event opportunities when appropriate.
• Develop relationships with local food vendors, chefs, restaurants, culinary schools, and hospitality businesses.
• Help position Hope Served's culinary enterprise as a respected community restaurant and employment initiative.
• Work closely with the Employment Supports Lead to identify appropriate culinary tasks and career pathways for individuals with disabilities.
• Break culinary jobs into teachable steps and progressive skill levels.
• Adapt kitchen processes when necessary to accommodate different learning styles and abilities.
• Provide direct instruction and coaching in culinary and hospitality skills.
• Model professional workplace behavior, teamwork, communication, and customer service.
• Create opportunities for employees to progress from entry-level tasks toward greater responsibility.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Restaurant management

Menu development

Staff development

Food safety knowledge

Hands-on kitchen work

Inclusive employment commitment

Education

ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification

Culinary degree or certification (preferred)

Job description

Hope Served in Manheim, PA, is seeking a Culinary Program Lead to steer the cafe, bistro, catering, and related food-service initiatives. This hands-on role combines kitchen leadership, menu development, and hospitality with a mission-driven focus on creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced culinary professional and restaurant operator who can build systems, train staff, manage costs, and foster an inclusive kitchen culture