KITCHEN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT

Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment; Benton (AR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Paid state holidays

Maternity leave

Job summary

Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment seeks a Kitchen Supervisor/Expert in Benton, AR to lead kitchen staff, enforce recipes, safety, and quality control across meal preparation and service.

You will supervise cooks and prep workers, manage inventories, ensure safe storage, train staff, and uphold sanitation standards while collaborating with departments to optimize cost and compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in kitchen/food prep, with 1 year in a leadership role.
• Must obtain ServSafe Food Manager Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Education/experience may be substituted per Qualifications Review Committee.

Responsibilities

• Supervise cooks and prep staff ensuring recipes, procedures, and food safety compliance.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, and consistency of meals.
• Ensure equipment functionality and arrange maintenance as needed.
• Monitor storage temperatures and waste, maintaining safety guidelines.
• Conduct safety and sanitation checks to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Interview, hire/fire recommendations, assign and review staff performance.
• Assist with inventories, food cost tracking and waste reduction.
• Support budget tracking, expense reporting, and revenue monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with Arkansas food safety, alcohol service, and labor laws.
• Train staff on cooking techniques, safety protocols, and storage practices.
• Assist in menu planning and portion control to minimize waste.
• Maintain clean, organized food preparation areas ready for use.

Skills

Food safety

Leadership

Staff training

Communication

Education

ServSafe Food Manager Certification

Job description

Kitchen Supervisor/Expert

The Kitchen Supervisor/Expert oversees the kitchen staff and ensures that food is prepared according to established health and safety standards. This position provides guidance and leadership to kitchen staff, ensuring that cooking, cleaning, and storage protocols are followed meticulously. The Kitchen Supervisor/Expert plays a key role in maintaining the efficiency of kitchen operations.

Location

Benton, AR, 72015, US.

Salary & Benefits

Anticipated Starting Salary: $39,170.98. Salary Range: $39,171 - $57,973.

Benefits include: pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and more.

Posting Information

Posting End Date: August 21, 2026.

Job Series: Food Service – Career-path. Classification: Kitchen Supervisor/Expert. Class Code: TFS05P. Pay Grade: SGS03. Nearest Major Market: Little Rock.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supervise kitchen staff, including cooks and food prep workers, ensuring adherence to recipes, cooking procedures, and food safety regulations.
• Manage kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and plating of meals, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is functioning properly and arrange for repairs or maintenance as needed.
• Monitor food storage and inventory, ensuring that food is stored at proper temperatures and used within safety guidelines.
• Conduct regular safety and sanitation checks in the kitchen to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Interview, recommend staff for hire/fire, assign and review work, counsel, and evaluate the performance of incumbents.
• Assist in taking inventories; maintain records on food cost and food waste.
• Assist with budget tracking, expense reporting, and revenue monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with Arkansas food safety, alcohol service, and labor laws.
• Train kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques, safety protocols, and food storage practices.
• Assist in menu planning and portion control to minimize waste and ensure cost‑effective meal service.
• Ensure that all food preparation areas are clean, organized, and ready for use.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in a kitchen or food preparation environment, with at least one year in a leadership capacity.
• Must obtain and maintain ServSafe Food Manager Certification within six months of hire.
• Other job‑related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, except for certification or licensure requirements, upon approval of the Qualifications Review Committee.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Expertise in food preparation, cooking methods, and kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Ability to supervise and train kitchen staff effectively.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills to maintain kitchen efficiency.
• Problem‑solving skills to address issues with food preparation, staff performance, or kitchen equipment.
• Strong communication skills for working with kitchen staff and other departments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.