Lead Cook

Guadalupe Centers; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Guadalupe Centers, Inc. in Kansas City, MO is seeking a Lead Cook for the Catering department to prepare nutritious meals and snacks in accordance with guidelines and safety standards. You will supervise kitchen staff and ensure quality, portion control, and on-time service to program participants, including seniors.

The role requires hands-on cooking, menu planning, and maintaining sanitation, inventory, and equipment, with a focus on meeting special dietary needs and program requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Culinary Arts Certification required.
• Food Handlers Certification preferred.
• Minimum 6 months experience in a commercial kitchen or school kitchen.
• Supervisory and past management experience.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to deliver food-related items to other locations.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Experience using computer systems and Meal Counting System preferred.
• Experience in preparing meals for seniors.
• Work in cold environments including freezer and refrigerator.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares, and orders foods per policy, menus, and recipes.
• Plans meals ahead to minimize substitutions with guidance from nutritionist.
• Modifies menus for on-premise events and records modifications.
• Prepares appealing meals and snacks to prevent nutrition loss.
• Maintains sanitation, storage standards, and safety in kitchen.
• Maintains budget, cost control, and inventory systems.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Food service

Menu planning

Team leadership

Food safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Culinary Arts Certification

Food Handlers Certification

Tools

Computer systems

Meal Counting System

Job description

Department: Catering

Reports to: Senior Director of Culinary Arts & Nutritional Services

Supervises: Yes

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Purpose

The Lead Cook is responsible for serving nutritious meals and appealing snacks in accordance with program guidelines while maintaining a safe and sanitary workplace.

Essential Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares, and orders foods in accordance with the Food Service Policy, menus, and recipes.
• Plans meals ahead of time minimize the need for food substitutions; purchases and serves food of equivalent nutritional value when substitutions are necessary with guidance from the Nutritionist and with prior approval.
• Modifies menus for on-premise events; notes all modifications and substitutes on the posted menu and for required records.
• Prepares appealing and tasty meals and snacks to prevent nutrition loss.
• Ensures proper food production amounts to serve each guest
• Modifies menus, recipes, and prepares foods to meet all special dietary requirements.
• Maintains established sanitation and storage standards, safety, food preparation standards set by the local and state health departments; maintains an orderly, sanitary, and safe kitchen.
• Maintains budget, cost control, and inventory systems based on procedures including records of food production, service, and attendance.
• Assures the proper care and maintenance of all foodservice equipment; identifies equipment needs for food preparation and service.
• Assists with properly receiving and storing food and supply orders.
• Deliver food-related items to other locations as needed.
• Maintain Food Preparation Certifications
• Experience in preparing meals for Seniors
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift 40 lbs
• Normal physical dexterity, agility, and balance
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to push a loaded cart and trash can
• Ability to work with a steamer, oven, grill, and slicer
• Ability to perform work in cold environments including freezer and refrigerator
• Ability to bend
• Computer skills
• Ability to use applicable systems
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to deliver food-related items to other locations
• High school or equivalent required
• Culinary Arts Certification
• Food Handlers Certification preferred
• Experience using computer systems
• Experience using Meal Counting System Preferred
• Required minimum of 6 months experience in a commercial kitchen or a school kitchen
• Experience in a supervisory position in a commercial kitchen.
• Past management experience
• Pass a background and drug screening.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift items. The employee is directly responsible for safety, wellbeing, and work output.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as the ability to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department. Specific job-related duties assigned by the hiring department shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be expanded in role or scope.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GUADALUPE CENTERS, INC. conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities' individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, who fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information or Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.