Food Programs - Sous Chef

Preble-Street; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

4 weeks vacation (160 hours)

12 days sick leave (96 hours)

12 paid holidays

Job summary

Preble Street is seeking a dedicated Food Programs Sous Chef to support our Food Programs by preparing high-quality meals for the community. This hybrid role supports both the Food Security Hub and Joe’s Place Youth Shelter, with breakfast and lunch service from 7:00 a.m.

to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday. You will lead kitchen staff and volunteers, creating nutritious, appealing meals for teens and program participants.

Qualifications

• Required; Significant experience in food service and commercial kitchen operations.
• Experience preparing meals for large groups in a commercial kitchen.
• Strong organizational and kitchen management skills.
• Ability to lead and support staff and volunteers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living in poverty with dignity and respect.
• Understanding of social, economic, and food justice issues.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and remain calm in fast-paced or stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and support breakfast and lunch service from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ensuring nutritious meals.
• Lead and mentor kitchen staff and volunteers to maintain high standards.
• Develop additional menu options that complement the main meals.
• Maintain a welcoming environment and quality food for teens at Joe’s Place Youth Shelter.

Skills

Food service experience

Kitchen management

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Education

Culinary education or formal culinary training

Job description

Make an Impact Through FoodDo you believe that food has the power to nourish both people and community? We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Food Programs Sous Chef to support our Food Programs by preparing high-quality meals that advance our mission and serve our community with dignity and compassion. This role will be a hybrid position between the Food Security Hub & Joe’s Place Youth Shelter.Joe's Place is our newly renovated Teen Center, featuring a dedicated commercial kitchen. In this role, you will support breakfast and lunch service from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., preparing and serving nutritious meals while creating additional menu options that complement the meals provided by Food Security Hub. This position plays an important role in ensuring teens have access to high-quality, appealing, and nourishing food in a welcoming environment.The schedule for this position is Tuesday-Saturday 7:00am—3:00pmRequired;Significant experience in food service and commercial kitchen operations.Experience preparing meals for large groups in a commercial kitchen.Strong organizational and kitchen management skills.Ability to lead and support staff and volunteers.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.Commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living in poverty with dignity and respect.Understanding of social, economic, and food justice issues.Ability to exercise sound judgment and remain calm in fast-paced or stressful situations.Preferred: Culinary education or formal culinary training.Compensation & BenefitsThis position has a full-time schedule (40 hour/week) and offers an hourly rate of pay of $24.64. Generous paid time off, insurance, and retirement plan benefits include:4 weeks (160 hours, accrued) vacation time, 12 days (96 hours, accrued) sick time, 16 hours personal time, 12 Paid HolidaysHealth insurance w/ 100% employer-paid option; Dental insurance w/ 100% employer-paid option; Vision insurance; Employer-paid Life, STD, and LTD insurance403(b) retirement plan w/ employer matchTo Apply: We encourage applicants to apply via Preble Street’s website employment page. Applications (resume and cover letter, preferred) may also be emailed to [e-mail] or mailed via USPS mail to Preble Street Human Resources, 55 Portland Street, Portland, ME 04101. Please note that automatically generated confirmations of receipt will be sent in response to applications sent via email. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be otherwise contacted.If you need assistance or accommodation in the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] Street, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, has been working since 1975 to provide best practice social services that meet urgent needs and end hunger and homelessness for individuals and families in Maine living in poverty.Preble Street is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and consider applications for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.Preble Street recognizes that Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+ people and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every qualification described in a job posting.Our hiring process recognizes the value of various lived experiences and backgrounds when assessing candidates.Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.