Food Service Team Lead

SCEC; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

School City of East Chicago is seeking a Food Service Team Lead to manage a school kitchen, lead staff, and ensure compliant operations. The Site Lead will be the main link between site-level execution and district leadership, promoting the P.R.R.R.R. philosophy in all interactions.

The role requires 3+ years in food service with supervisory experience, a ServSafe certification (or within 30 days), and strong MS Office/POS proficiency. Open until filled.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; some college or culinary training preferred.
• 3+ years in food service with at least 1 year in a supervisory role.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification required (or must be obtained within 30 days).

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of an individual school kitchen and lead a professional team.
• Supervise Food Service Workers and Cooks and maintain a respectful work environment.
• Ensure the kitchen opens/closes on schedule and aligns meal service with the school bell times.
• Maintain inventory, place orders with district vendors, and verify deliveries.
• Ensure compliance with health department and USDA standards; complete HACCP logs and records.

Education

High School Diploma

Some college or culinary training

Tools

ServSafe Certification

Job description

April 23, 2026

School City of East Chicago

2026-2027 School Year

Position: Food Service Team Lead

Department: Food Service

Reports To: Director of Food Services

Job Summary

The Food Service Site Lead is the cornerstone of our daily operations at the building level. You are responsible for the total oversight of an individual school kitchen, ensuring that the staff is motivated, the facility is compliant, and—most importantly—the students receive a high-quality meal experience. As the primary link between site-level execution and district leadership, you ensure the P.R.R.R.R. philosophy is practiced in every interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary & Production: In buildings without a designated Cook, the Site Lead performs all primary cooking duties. This includes preparing, seasoning, and cooking meals in large quantities while following standardized recipes and USDA requirements.
• Site Leadership: Manage and supervise the daily workflow of Food Service Workers and Cooks at your assigned location. Foster a professional, respectful, and efficient team environment.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure the kitchen opens and closes according to schedule. Manage meal service timing to coordinate perfectly with school bell schedules.
• Inventory & Ordering: Responsible for accurate weekly inventory and placing food/supply orders through the approved district vendors. Monitor deliveries for accuracy and quality.
• Compliance & Safety: Maintain all health department and USDA standards. Ensure that all HACCP logs, temperature charts, and production records are completed accurately and filed daily.
• Administrative Reporting: Manage the Point of Sale (POS) system at the site level, ensuring accurate meal counting, claim reporting, and daily cash deposits.
• Chain of Command Liaison: Act as the first point of contact for school building principals and staff. Report directly to the Chef Manager and District Leadership regarding equipment needs, personnel issues, or operational hurdles.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee the final presentation of all meals to ensure they meet the "Respecting the meals served" standard of the P.R.R.R.R. commitment.
• Assigned Duties: Any additional reasonable task assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma required; some college or specialized culinary training preferred.
• Experience: 3+ years in food service, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or "lead" capacity, preferably within a school or institutional setting.
• Certification: ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is required (or must be obtained within 30 days).
• Skills:
  • Proven leadership ability and conflict‑resolution skills.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel/Word) and school-based POS software.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for long periods and move quickly between the office and the production floor.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to travel between district sites if necessary for training or meetings.

Terms of Employment

Salary based on qualification and experience.

Application Deadline

Open until filled.

Please submit a letter of interest and credentials/resume to:

Director of Food Services
School City of East Chicago
1401 East 144th Street
East Chicago, IN 46312
[e-mail]

Look for postings online at www.scec.k12.in.us links/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.