Kitchen Manager

Lunchtime Solutions; Manning (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Free meals

401(k) retirement plan

Limited medical benefit plan

Job summary

Lunchtime Solutions is looking for a Kitchen Manager in Manning, Iowa, to lead daily operations and enhance the students' dining experience. The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience in food service and a commitment to food safety. Responsibilities include managing food production, inventory, and a team, ensuring meals meet quality standards. Enjoy a Monday–Friday schedule with no late nights or weekends, along with a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off and retirement planning.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of food service experience in a supervisory role preferred.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to complete.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow procedures.
• Comfort using computer systems like Microsoft Office and POS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily food production and preparation.
• Maintain clean work areas and oversee storage organization.
• Monitor safe practices and coach team members.
• Act as the point of contact in the kitchen and troubleshoot issues.
• Manage inventory and place food and supply orders.
• Train staff and fill in across district kitchens as needed.
• Communicate operational updates with team members and supervisors.

Skills

Food service experience

Leadership skills

Inventory management

Food safety compliance

Communication skills

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

POS systems

Food-service software

Job description

It takes amazing people to make amazing dining experiences

Join our team! Lunchtime Solutions is a fast-growing company with a progressive work environment and great opportunities for personal growth. Make the most out of your talents and skills by helping to improve students’ school experience with better nutrition and an enjoyable dining atmosphere.

Location: On-site at IKM Manning
Schedule: Monday–Friday

Lunchtime Solutions is looking for a motivated, organized Kitchen Manager to lead daily kitchen operations and support a positive, efficient meal program for students and staff. If you enjoy leading a team, preparing great food, and keeping a kitchen running smoothly, this role is a fantastic fit.

The Kitchen Manager oversees daily kitchen operations, including food production, inventory, ordering, safety, and team coordination. This role ensures meals are prepared on time, meet quality standards, and follow all food‑safety and nutritional guidelines. It’s a hands‑on leadership position that keeps the kitchen organized, efficient, and running at its best.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily food production by preparing meals, following recipes, ensuring serving‑time readiness, and supporting special diets and catering needs.
• Keep the kitchen organized and compliant by maintaining clean work areas, overseeing storage organization using FIFO, completing HACCP logs, production records, inventories, and monitoring participation trends and gross‑margin controls.
• Champion food safety by monitoring safe practices, coaching team members, and ensuring HACCP, HAZCOM, and safety checklists are completed and followed.
• Provide daily leadership by acting as the point of contact in the kitchen, helping troubleshoot issues, reinforcing policies, and supporting team communication.
• Manage inventory and ordering by placing food and supply orders, adjusting menus when needed, and maintaining prep lists and freezer pulls.
• Support and develop the team by training staff, coaching as needed, and filling in across district kitchens when required.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, team members, school staff, and customers, sharing feedback, needs, and operational updates.

What You Bring

• HS Diploma or GED preferred
• 1+ year of food service experience in a supervisory role preferred
• ServSafe certification or willingness to complete
• Valid Drivers license and insurable driving record
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow procedures, and maintain food‑safety standards
• Comfort using computer systems like: Microsoft Office, POS systems, and food‑service software
• Ability to follow recipes, measure ingredients, and convert quantities for large batches.
• Dependability, integrity, and a commitment to excellent customer service.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform frequent standing, bending, twisting, and other physical tasks.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Enjoy your evenings and weekends our Monday–Friday daytime schedule means no late nights, no weekends, and no holidays spent in a kitchen.
• Follow the school-year rhythm work when school is in session and enjoy built‑in breaks when students are out.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) retirement plan
• Enjoy work life balance with paid time off and paid holidays
• Eat well enjoy a free, delicious meal every shift.
• Stay supported with a limited medical benefit plan available for those scheduled 5 hours or more everyday

Our Values

At Lunchtime Solutions, our success comes from team members who:

• Take pride in what you do
• Focus on customer success
• Be a person of integrity
• Drive to improve
• Do it with passion
• Express gratitude
• Work as a team
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance

If these values resonate with you, we’d love to meet you!

Lunchtime Solutions performs post offer background investigations prior to starting employment with our company. This background investigation may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: criminal convictions and DMV record if appropriate for the position.

Lunchtime Solutions Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. EOE-M/F/Disabled/Vet.View Policy

Lunchtime Solutions has done a fantastic job of planning and preparing nutritious meals for our young people. We have appreciated their commitment to our kids and the meals that they are served.