Lead School Nutrition Kitchen Supervisor

Whitsons Culinary Group; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

401K with company match

Paid time off

Ongoing training and development

Positive team environment

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group in Downers Grove, IL, is seeking a Lead Food Service Worker to support the school nutrition program with Monday–Friday shifts, no nights or major holidays. You’ll lead a kitchen crew, prepare and serve meals, manage ordering, receiving, and food safety, and help keep our service lines stocked.

This role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and adherence to USDA NSLP guidelines, with opportunities for growth and ongoing training in a supportive school environment.

Qualifications

• Must complete all Whitsons and government-mandated training as required; food safety manager training strongly preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of professional food service experience required; prior lead, senior, or PIC experience in a school nutrition or institutional food service setting strongly preferred.
• ServSafe certification required — this is a mandatory requirement for the PIC designation, however, can be trained upon higher; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment.
• Ability to read and follow approved menus, recipes, yield guides, and production records; experience with POS systems and cash handling preferred; ability to complete compliance documentation accurately.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and the ability to lead a team with a calm, positive, and accountable approach; must be able to speak and read English sufficient to perform job assignments and communicate effectively with school staff, parents, and team members.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead in preparing and serving meals that meet nutrition and portion guidelines.
• Handle daily ordering, receiving, and storage of food, beverages, and supplies.
• Keep the kitchen running smoothly by organizing cleaning duties and ensuring food safety.
• Set up hot and cold serving lines, brew coffee, and keep beverage areas stocked.
• Deliver meals when needed for classrooms, staff, or catered events.
• Manage POS/cash handling and make sure deposits are accurate.
• Be a key player on a supportive, mission-driven team that truly cares.

Skills

English proficiency

Team leadership

Reliability

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Cash handling

Job description

Whitsons Culinary Group in Downers Grove, IL, is seeking a Lead Food Service Worker to support the school nutrition program with Monday–Friday shifts, no nights or major holidays. You’ll lead a kitchen crew, prepare and serve meals, manage ordering, receiving, and food safety, and help keep our service lines stocked.

This role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and adherence to USDA NSLP guidelines, with opportunities for growth and ongoing training in a supportive school environment.