Culinary Program Manager

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston seeks a Culinary Program Manager to oversee CACFP and SFSP operations, develop menus, manage inventory, and ensure kitchen safety and compliance for 6–18-year-old members.

You will lead a small kitchen team, coordinate with vendors, ensure nutrition standards, and plan programming that blends healthy meals with youth education, while reporting to the Executive/Development Assistant and the Director of Healthy Lifestyles.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with 1–3 years in a similar role and 1–2 years supervisory experience.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to obtain upon hiring; CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Knowledge of allergen precautions and dietary accommodations, plus kitchen operations and food prep.
• Experience supervising staff and managing vendor relationships and purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Oversees CACFP and SFSP operations.
• Prepares and serves 225–250 meals daily during the school year for 6–18-year-olds.
• Manages kitchen inventory, storage, and cleaning to meet safety standards.
• Ensures meals meet BGCB nutrition standards and dietary restrictions.

Skills

Staff supervision

Kitchen operations

Vendor relationships

Allergen awareness

Menu development

Record-keeping

Youth engagement

Flexibility to work hours

Education

High School diploma or GED

ServSafe certification

CPR/First Aid certification

Culinary certification/degree

Job description

Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have played an essential role in opening doors and creating opportunities for young people across this city. For every youth in Boston and Chelsea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston are a life-changing force for opportunity and empowerment that enables future talent to reach their full individual potential as productive citizens and leaders, inspired to make a difference in the Greater Boston community. By reaching 22 of 23 communities throughout Boston and Chelsea, no other youth serving organization engages more young people and families. Learn more atwww.bgcb.org and join us in transforming our members, our communities, our city!

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Culinary Program Manager (CM) is responsible for overseeing the Club's food programs, including operations of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The individual in this role will also be responsible for catering for various Club events as well as menu development, inventory management, cost oversight, and related ordering. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston counts health promotion among its top priorities, requiring the CM to prioritize fresh, healthy, kid-friendly food, while remaining within the standard reimbursement rate. Dinner and an after-school snack are served daily during the school year; breakfast and lunch are served during summer. This position reports to the Executive and Development Assistant and has a dotted reporting line to the Director of Healthy Lifestyles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Operations and Compliance

• Oversees the operations of the CACFP and SFSP at the Club.
• Prepares and serves approximately 225-250 meals daily during the school year (more in the summer) for 6–18-year-old Club members in compliance with USDA, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the local board of health regulations.
• Manages kitchen operations, including inventory rotation, proper storage of food and cleaning supplies, waste reduction, and adherence to all safety and sanitation standards.
• Ensures the timely and safe preparation and service of all meals and snacks, and maintains kitchen equipment, storage areas, and food preparation spaces are in clean and working order.
• Ensures all meals meet BGCB nutrition standards:
  • Serves a variety of fruits and vegetables with different preparations.
  • Prioritizes whole grains over refined/enriched grains.
  • Chooses products low in sodium, fat, and sugar.
  • Opts for fresh, whole food ingredients over processed foods when possible.
  • Serves reduced‑fat dairy whenever feasible.
  • Avoids pork and shellfish at all times.
• Provides alternative meal and snack options for vegetarians, vegans, religious accommodations, and other dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance, gluten-free, or food allergies) and ensures precautionary measures are taken in the cafeteria and during food prep to avoid cross‑contact of allergens.
• Maintains up-to-date records, including daily and monthly reporting for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, temperature logs, order records, inventories, and production records.

Vendor Management and Inventory

• Maintains relationships with vendors, including SYSCO, Costa, Rosa Dairy, Thurston, and BJs.
• Places weekly culinary/food supply orders.

Management, Team Leadership and Club Education/Engagement

• Supervises and evaluates the Kitchen Assistant.
• Creates opportunities to incorporate cooking and nutrition education throughout the Club experience.
• Provides learning and leadership opportunities for Teen Associates.

Meetings, Audits, and Evaluations

• Participates in various meetings, including staff meetings and Culinary Department team meetings.
• Participates in site monitoring visits and site audits several times annually.
• Participates in various evaluation efforts throughout each program year.
• Participates in media opportunities as requested.

Additional Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

GENERAL BGCB EXPECTATIONS

• Healthy Behavior Modeling – Teaching youth/teens the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle is a BGCB priority. As a result, all staff is expected to model healthy behavior while working with our members.
• Inclusive Environment – BGCB values creating child-friendly environments, where youth/teens of all abilities can be successful and participate. BGCB expects employees to embrace its focus on inclusion of all members, regardless of disability or developmental challenge.
• Continuous Learning – Building the capacity of staff is central to BGCB. The organization encourages and requires that all staff participates in annual professional development opportunities that continue to cultivate their skills in the youth development field.
• Safe Spaces – Every staff member shares the responsibility for ensuring BGCB is, and remains, an environment free of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• High School diploma or GED, at least 1-3 years’ experience in a similar role or setting, and 1-2 years of supervisory experience
• Experience supervising staff or providing leadership opportunities for team members.
• ServSafe certified or willingness to obtain upon hiring
• CPR/First Aid certified or willingness to obtain upon hiring.
• Knowledge of allergen precautions and providing accommodations for dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, or religious preferences).
• Organized, reliable and demonstrated knowledge of kitchen operations, ordering/inventory management and food preparation.
• Experience with maintaining detailed records and reporting, including inventory, temperature logs, and production records.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and placing food supply orders.
• Passion and enthusiasm for fresh, healthy food, health promotion and culinary education with youth.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to work as a part of a team.
• Experience and desire to work with children.
• Flexibility to work Club hours especially as seasons and service needs change (afternoon/evening during the school year and morning/early afternoon during the summer).

Preferred

• Culinary certification/degree
• Experience preparing food for federal meal programs such as CACFP, SFSP, or NSLP
• Valid driver’s license

TRAVEL

Travel between sites and to activities as needed

START DATE

April 6 th (desired start date yet position open until filled)

LOCATION

Dorchester, MA (Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club)

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary - $61,916.40/year - $64,737.40/year - commensurate with experience; along with competitive benefits and a great work environment

Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health choices, marital status, age, pregnancy, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities. Please visit our website at https://www.bgcb.org

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.