Kitchen Manager (Floater)

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

Job summary

Southwest Foodservice Excellence, Llc in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a Kitchen Manager Floater to lead cafeteria operations across multiple school sites. You will supervise kitchen teams, oversee food production, safety, inventory, and compliance with federal, state, and company regulations.

Floaters must be adaptable and confident in new environments. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and a commitment to serving students.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• ServSafe certification required (or obtained before start).
• Prior experience as 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 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.

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.

Skills

Strong communication

Adaptability

Time management

Customer service

Willingness to travel

POS systems

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Computer literacy

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

District Hourly Manual Labor NHA: MI-District Office, Grand Rapids, MI, US

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 operationsOversee food production, service quality, and safety standardsTrain and supervise kitchen staff on recipes, sanitation, and safe equipment useEnsure cleanliness of all kitchen areas and maintain equipmentComplete required documentation and reports accurately and on timeManage inventory, ordering, and receiving of food and supplies at each siteMonitor labor and adjust schedules to meet coverage and cost goalsEnforce ServSafe, HACCP, and child nutrition program regulationsMaintain accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and safety checklistsEnsure proper cash handling procedures are followedAct as the site lead and point of contact during float assignmentsSupport and maintain a positive culture across teams and schoolsSubmit reports and complete administrative tasks as requiredPerform other duties as assigned to support school food service

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent requiredServSafe certification required (or must be obtained before start)Prior experience as a kitchen manager or lead preferredStrong communication, adaptability, and time management skillsFood service and inventory management experience requiredReliable transportation and willingness to travel to different school sites dailyMust pass a background check and/or fingerprint screening and MVRComfortable working in new environments and leading unfamiliar teamsExperience with POS systems and basic computer literacy preferredCustomer 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 poundsFrequent walking, reaching, bending and use of handsVarying kitchen environments with moderate noise levelsFull-time schedule, Monday through Friday, with occasional extended weeksMust 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