Kitchen Manager/ Donation Driver

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division in Iowa City, IA is seeking a Kitchen Cook to turn a passion for cooking into meaningful service. You will prepare nutritious meals for daily lunch programs and work with volunteers to ensure timely service.

The role requires a high school diploma (culinary training a plus), the ability to supervise volunteers, attention to cleanliness, and adherence to safety standards. Driving is an essential function; background checks are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; culinary training is a plus.
• Flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to supervise volunteers and work in a team.
• Experience using various cooking techniques.
• Knowledge of basic cleaning equipment and sanitation.
• Basic computer skills for payroll/timekeeping via web systems.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong independent judgement.
• Proven experience as a cook.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen operations and ensure healthy and safe work practices.
• Prepare and cook food with volunteers for the daily lunch program.
• Coordinate with Operations Manager on kitchen guidelines and policies.
• Establish weekly menus based on inventory in storage.
• Create an inventory system and maintain stock levels.
• Coordinate storage and serving per Health Department standards.
• Maintain sanitary conditions in kitchen, dining, and storage areas.
• Ensure volunteers and staff maintain safety and sanitation.
• Prepare required statistical and financial reports (gifts in kind).
• Report maintenance issues to Corps Officers/Administrators or Operations Manager.
• First point of contact for kitchen volunteers and coordinate training with Director of Volunteers.
• Driving is an essential function of the position.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Flexibility

Team supervision

Attention to detail

Independent judgement

Proven cook experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Culinary school advantageous

Tools

Cleaning equipment

Job description

Love to Cook? Serve Up Something Meaningful!

Turn your passion for cooking into a purpose. Join The Salvation Army as a Kitchen Cook and prepare delicious, nutritious meals while making a real difference in the lives of people in our community. If you’re a hands‑on cook who enjoys working with others and wants a job with purpose, this opportunity is for you!

• Part- Time 29 Hours per week Monday- Friday,1:00 P.M.- 6:30 P.M.***
• Pay Range: $15.00-$18.00 per hour***

The Salvation Army Mission:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Summary/Primary Purpose:

To provide nutritional support for multiple feeding programs, including a hot meal each weekday at lunch. To cook well-balanced meals while adhering to Serv‑Safe and other safety standards.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Oversee all kitchen operations ensuring healthy and safe work practices.
• Prepare and cook food, along with volunteers, for daily meal program using various utensils and equipment.
• Work with Operations Manager to establish kitchen guidelines and food service policies.
• Establish weekly menus for daily meal program based on inventory available in cold and dry storage.
• Create an inventory system for kitchen supplies, ensuring sufficient stock.
• Coordinate daily food storage, preparation and serving in a manner consistent with Health Department standards.
• Maintain a sanitary working environment in all areas including Kitchen, Dining Room, Storage Rooms, walk in/reach in refrigerators and freezers.
• Ensure volunteers and other employees maintain safe and sanitary conditions during prep, serving and storage of food.
• Preparation of required statistical and financial reports (gifts in kind)
• Report needed maintenance issues to Corps Officers/Administrators or Operations Manager
• First point of contact for Kitchen volunteers and work collaboratively with the Director of Volunteers to schedule and coordinate training.
• Driving is an essential function of the position.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages Volunteers.

Education and/or Experience:

Experience in the related field of one to three months is greatly encouraged.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent. Diploma from a culinary school will be advantageous.
• Ability to be flexible and able to work on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work in team environment and supervise volunteers.
• Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques.
• Knowledge of basic tools, cleaning equipment and cleaning products.
• Basic computer skills with ability to access payroll, timekeeping, and personal data via a web-based system.
• Attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong independent judgement.
• Proven Experience as a cook

Other Qualifications:

Must pass all applicable background checks.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Must successfully complete Safe from Harm training within 90 days of hire, as established by The Salvation Army and Serve Safe Certification, CPR, and AED.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical requirements include good speaking, hearing and vision ability and excellent manual dexterity. Ability to stand, bend and reach for extended periods of time, dexterity of hands and fingers to operate cleaning equipment. This position will require the ability to lift and/or move more than 50 pounds occasionally.

Working Conditions:

The work environment is a kitchen, with exposure to varying temperatures and noise levels.

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.