Kitchen Manager (Floater)

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Foodservice Excellence is seeking a Kitchen Manager Floater to lead cafeteria operations across multiple school sites. You will supervise kitchen teams, oversee food prep and safety, manage inventories, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The role requires travel between sites daily with strong leadership, communication, and adaptability. ServSafe certification is required before start, and experience in food service management is preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• ServSafe certification required (or must be obtained before start).
• Prior kitchen management or lead experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Travel between school sites to provide leadership and support for kitchen operations.
• Oversee food production, service quality, and safety standards.
• Train and supervise kitchen staff on recipes, sanitation, and safe equipment use.
• Ensure cleanliness of all kitchen areas and maintain equipment.
• Complete required documentation and reports accurately and on time.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and receiving of food and supplies at each site.
• Monitor labor and adjust schedules to meet coverage and cost goals.
• Enforce ServSafe, HACCP, and child nutrition program regulations.
• Maintain accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and safety checklists.
• Ensure proper cash handling procedures are followed.
• Act as the site lead and point of contact during float assignments.
• Support and maintain a positive culture across teams and schools.
• Submit reports and complete administrative tasks as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support school food service

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Communication

Adaptability

Food service

Inventory management

Safety compliance

Cash handling

Education

High School Diploma

ServSafe Certification

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Lead Wherever You?re Needed ? Become a Kitchen Manager Floater!Do you thrive in dynamic environments and love the challenge of stepping in to make things run smoothly? As a Kitchen Manager Floater, you'll support multiple school sites by leading cafeteria operations wherever coverage is needed. This role is ideal for experienced kitchen managers who are flexible, organized, and ready to lead with confidence in a variety of settings.

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager Floater is responsible for managing daily food service operations at various school sites as assigned. This includes supervising kitchen teams, overseeing food prep and safety standards, maintaining inventory, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and company regulations. Floaters must be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable stepping into different kitchens with little notice.

Key Responsibilities

• Travel between school sites to provide leadership and support for kitchen operations
• Oversee food production, service quality, and safety standards
• Train and supervise kitchen staff on recipes, sanitation, and safe equipment use
• Ensure cleanliness of all kitchen areas and maintain equipment
• Complete required documentation and reports accurately and on time
• Manage inventory, ordering, and receiving of food and supplies at each site
• Monitor labor and adjust schedules to meet coverage and cost goals
• Enforce ServSafe, HACCP, and child nutrition program regulations
• Maintain accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and safety checklists
• Ensure proper cash handling procedures are followed
• Act as the site lead and point of contact during float assignments
• Support and maintain a positive culture across teams and schools
• Submit reports and complete administrative tasks as required
• Perform other duties as assigned to support school food service

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• ServSafe certification required (or must be obtained before start)
• Prior experience as a kitchen manager or lead preferred
• Strong communication, adaptability, and time management skills
• Food service and inventory management experience required
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel to different school sites daily
• Must pass a background check and/or fingerprint screening and MVR
• Comfortable working in new environments and leading unfamiliar teams
• Experience with POS systems and basic computer literacy preferred
• Customer service mindset and enjoyment of working with children

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Must be able to stand for full shifts and lift up to 50 pounds
• Frequent walking, reaching, bending, and use of hands
• Varying kitchen environments with moderate noise levels
• Full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, with occasional extended weeks
• Must be able to travel between schools and attend meetings as needed

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program