Lead Cook & Kitchen Leader — Catering, Training, Impact

UMOM New Day Centers; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Lead Cook to oversee advanced culinary operations in Residential Dining or Helpings Café and Catering. You will lead the kitchen team with strong leadership and ensure quality meals for clients and staff.

The role requires experience in inventory, purchasing, training, and staff supervision, plus a working knowledge of catering, baking, pastry cooking, and food safety in line with Maricopa County Health codes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in kitchen preparation and cooking in a fast-paced food service environment.
• Catering and café or barista experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of hospitality operations specifically product and equipment procurement and budget management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs culinary skills at an advanced level and leads catering meal cooking.
• Ensures food production quality, portion control, and timely delivery per schedules/menus.
• Provides training for kitchen staff.
• Updates and organizes training materials, policies, procedures for kitchen functions.
• Leads back-of-house training with the Homegrown student program.
• Manages inventory and works with managers to control expenses.

Skills

Advanced culinary skills

Staff training

Inventory management

Food safety knowledge

Budget management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Catering and café/barista experience preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Lead Cook to oversee advanced culinary operations in Residential Dining or Helpings Café and Catering. You will lead the kitchen team with strong leadership and ensure quality meals for clients and staff.

The role requires experience in inventory, purchasing, training, and staff supervision, plus a working knowledge of catering, baking, pastry cooking, and food safety in line with Maricopa County Health codes.