Lead Cook (Women Center)

The Bowery Mission; New York (NY); On-site; USD 3,642,374; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in New York seeks a Lead Cook to manage food service operations. The role involves ensuring high-quality meal preparation, training clients, and maintaining food safety standards. Applicants should have over 4 years of experience, preferably in a leadership role. The position offers a pay rate of $26.44 per hour and requires flexibility in scheduling, including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in food services; Lead Cook experience preferred.
• Proficient in technology and administration.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.
• Maintain accurate inventory records.

Skills

Food safety compliance

Menu development

Client coaching

Inventory management

Crisis management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

NYC Food Protection Certificate

Job description

The Bowery Mission is a Christian, faith-based organization committed since the 1870s to serving people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. The Bowery Mission meets essential needs and creates transformative communities with men, women, children, and families in New York so that we can together overcome homelessness and poverty and flourish.

As a key member of the West Harlem Campus Make Progress (MP) team, the Lead Cook oversees daily food service operations and “loving people through food.” The Lead Cook utilizes their skillset to support the team in creating a trauma‑informed residential community that (1) fosters positive and growing relationships with God and others and (2) equips clients to achieve independent living goals. Plans, conducts, and directs food preparation and storage in accordance with federal, state, and city food safety standards. Develops weekly menus. Ensures ingredients and supplies are in place to execute on menu plans. Ensures safety, sanitation, and storage standards. Orients and directs staff and volunteers supporting food preparation. Coaches clients engaged in Work Therapy assignments that contribute to food services. Leads or assists food services for special events at West Harlem Campus and occasionally, at other locations.

Specific Responsibilities

• In accordance with health and safety standards (local, state, federal), plan, prepare, cook, and serve high‑quality meals that support client nutrition and a vibrant community.
• Coach clients engaged in Work Therapy assignments contributing to food preparation and inventory, kitchen and related‑area cleanliness. Help clients develop skills related to food services: independent living skills and when applicable, job skills.
• Ensure food safety, storage, and production activity complies with federal, state, and local codes (safety, health, etc.) and TBM standards.
• Develop weekly menus, making optimal use of donated items.
• Promptly identify and address multiple needs. Anticipate/adjust plans based on various daily factors (health and safety, staff and volunteer availability, etc.).
• Interact with direct supervisor (primarily) and indirect supervisor about operational concerns and solutions. Engage in onsite and offsite meetings and trainings, including weekly West Harlem Campus team meetings and biweekly meetings with indirect supervisor.
• Complete and submit food distribution list to Food Services leadership to ensure proper food and supplies inventory. As needed, submit requests for food and supply purchases to supervisor. Track, receive, organize, and store incoming items, including food donations. Help unload deliveries as needed.
• Lead or assist food services for special events at West Harlem Campus, including orders, preparation, and cleanup. Occasionally, assist Food Services team at other locations.
• Keep an accurate record of food and related supplies inventory. Ensure consistent and accurate reporting of meals served. Follow verbal and written reporting protocols for incidents. Submit incident reports to supervisor and appropriate team members.

Schedule: Monday – Friday: 10:00am–6:30pm.

Requires availability during the day, night, weekends, and holiday work hours as assigned.

Requirements

• Embrace the organization’s Statement of Faith.
• 4+ years relevant experience and training in a food services setting, including 1‑2 years of experience as a Lead Cook, Sous Chef, or Chef De Cuisine.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate or ability to obtain certification within 90 days.
• Duties include reaching, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proficient in office technology and administration.
• Confidentiality standards and professional boundaries.

Preferred

• Non‑violent Crisis Intervention.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• First Aid/CPR.
• F‑80 and/or F‑02 fire safety certification.
• Naloxone Administration.
• Trauma‑informed care. Conflict resolution.

Salary: $26.44 per hour.

Due to the number of applications, we receive, we are only able to respond to qualified candidates who are selected for interviews. We sincerely appreciate all candidates for their interest in The Bowery Mission.