Kitchen Team Lead

Catholic Charities-Straight & Narrow Inc (SN); Paterson (NJ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance

403B with employer match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

In-house training seminars

Counseling for licensure (LCADC/CADC,L

Professional development support

Job summary

Straight and Narrow is seeking a Kitchen Team Lead in Paterson, NJ. The role supports meal services across multiple program sites and requires overseeing daily kitchen operations, staff guidance, and adherence to safety standards.

The position runs Monday–Friday 11:00am–7:00pm with occasional weekend shifts and a $19.00/hour pay rate. Responsibilities include inventory control, ordering, food preparation assistance, and coordination with the Food Service Director for menus and events.

Qualifications

• Must have High school Diploma or GED.
• ServSafe certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must have a valid New Jersey driver's license and be willing to drive agency vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily guidance and support to food service staff.
• Coordinate work assignments to ensure efficient meal service operations.
• Promote a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment.
• Monitor staff adherence to food safety, sanitation, and policies.
• Report operational concerns, equipment issues, and staffing needs to management.
• Assist with menu preparation and planning for special events.

Job description

Are you passionate about making a difference in others' lives? Then come join the Straight and Narrow team!

Headquartered in Paterson, NJ, Straight and Narrow is the largest program of its kind. We provide innovative and compassionate services to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders. We are looking for dedicated, caring and compassionate people to work in our Residential/Outpatient Treatment Facilities and Community Programs.

Kitchen Team Lead

Schedule per week: (Monday - Friday 11:00am-7:00pm) Alternate weekends

Pay: $19.00/hourly

Location: All Straight & Narrow Programs

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Support

• Provide daily guidance and support to food service staff.
• Assist in coordinating work assignments to ensure efficient meal service operations.
• Promote a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment.
• Monitor staff's adherence to food safety, sanitation, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Report operational concerns, equipment issues, and staffing needs to management.
• Assist Food Service Director with preparation of menu
• Monitor alternate/special needs to ensure accuracy based on client needs
• Food Delivery to various locations including HWH, Men's, Women's Treatment, Detox
• Assist Food Service Director with preparation, planning for special events, meetings, etc.

Inventory Management and Ordering

• Maintain accurate inventories of food, beverages, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Conduct routine inventory counts and monitor stock levels to prevent shortages or overstocking.
• Prepare and maintain lists of items needed for upcoming food and supply orders.
• Assist with reviewing usage patterns and forecasting inventory needs.
• Receive, inspect, and properly store deliveries according to food safety standards.
• Ensure proper stock rotation using First In, First Out (FIFO) principles.
• Establishing and maintaining vendor list to compare pricing, monitor vendor specials, sales and allowances
• Establishing inventory control through the method of minimum requirements
• Communicating with all staff menu changes

Food Service Operations

• Assist with meal preparation, service, and distribution as needed.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served according to established menus, dietary requirements, and quality standards.
• Monitor food temperatures, storage practices, and food handling procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support special events, meetings, and program activities requiring food service.

Food Safety, Sanitation, and Equipment Care and Facility Oversight

• Ensure that the Main Kitchen and HWH food service areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and organized condition at all times.
• Conduct end-of-day inspections of the Main Kitchen and HWH to verify:
• All food preparation areas are cleaned and sanitized.
• Floors are swept and mopped as needed.
• Equipment is cleaned and properly stored.
• Refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas are organized.
• Trash is removed and disposed of appropriately.
• Cleaning logs and required documentation are completed.
• Monitor compliance with sanitation standards and infection control practices.
• Identify and address cleanliness, maintenance, or safety concerns promptly.
• Adhere to all food service regulations, sanitation standards, and safety protocols at all times.
• Monitor and maintain proper food temperatures in compliance with food safety requirements.
• Ensure that all food and supplies are properly rotated, wrapped, labeled, dated, and stored according to food safety guidelines.
• Clean and disinfect all food preparation tools, utensils, and equipment before and after each use.
• Proteins must never be left out overnight to defrost. All proteins must be pulled two days in advance and thawed properly in a refrigerator on the bottom shelf.
• Promptly notify Food Service Director of any unsafe conditions, spills, leaks, incidents, or suspected food contamination.
• Immediately report any malfunctioning, damaged, or unsafe equipment to the Director of Food Services.
• Operate kitchen equipment and appliances safely and efficiently, ensuring proper use, routine cleaning, and care.
• Staff are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, care, and proper storage of all kitchen equipment, utensils, refrigerators, stoves, stockrooms, dining rooms, counters, cabinets, and food preparation areas.
• Freezers and refrigerators will be inspected daily. All items must be properly wrapped, labeled, dated, and always stored.
• Any equipment malfunctioning must be reported immediately
• Maintain clean, uncluttered, and safe kitchen, dining, and serving areas.
• Clean and organize assigned workstations immediately after use.
• Assist with preparing salads, hot entrees, vegetables, desserts, and other assigned food items as required by station assignments.
• Pick up and transport food and supplies to designated locations as assigned.

Benefits:

For full-time positions, we offer medical, vision, dental, life and supplemental life insurance. Accidental and Critical Illness Insurance, 403B with employer match, Paid Time off (PTO), in house training seminars, two training days for certified professionals. SN also offers supervision for those individuals trying to become licensed in NJ as a LCADC/CADC, LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC and LMFT. We participate in employee discount programs such as the Working Advantage program.

Requirements

Must have High school Diploma/ General Education Diploma (GED) with a completion of culinary arts program. Good computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft computer programs. Have and maintain ServSafe certification within thirty (30) days from date of hire. Must have a driver’s license, which is valid is the State of New Jersey and points on license not to exceed 5 points. Required to drive agency vehicle to transport service recipients on a regular basis following Agency Vehicle Driver’s Agreement. Must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills and maintain positive attitude.