PT Cooking Instructor + Team Lead Hiring Manager

Sticky Fingers Cooking Orange County; Costa Mesa (CA); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

SFC Orange County LLC dba Sticky Fingers Cooking® is seeking a part-time Cooking Instructor + Team Lead Hiring Manager to train and supervise a team of chef instructors. You will teach multi-age classes and also recruit, onboard, and manage instructors via The Dash platform in Orange County, CA.

The role blends hands-on teaching with operational leadership. The ideal candidate is calm, empathetic, and detail-oriented, capable of coordinating schedules, ensuring compliance with CA HR practices,

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with instructors and families.
• Proven experience leading a team and coaching others.
• Experience working with children across age groups.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and adapt to changing schedules.
• Creative and flexible approach to solving problems.
• Energetic, empathetic leadership style with clear communication.
• Comfort with learning new software tools and processes.

Responsibilities

• Teach hands-on cooking classes for kids (3-18) and seniors (55+).
• Hire, onboard, train, and schedule chef instructors via The Dash platform.
• Act as primary contact for instructors; ensure timely, upbeat communication.
• Manage timesheets, reimbursements, and ATS; supervise class observations.
• Plan and lead team meetings, trainings, and events.
• Oversee inventory, supply ordering, and kit storage logistics.
• Coordinate outreach to venues and promotional events; support growth strategies.
• Maintain daily updates to spreadsheets and Google Drive documents.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Team leadership

Experience with children

Organization and attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Flexible problem solving

Energetic and empathetic demeanor

Communication with energy and care

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

SFC Orange County LLC dba Sticky Fingers Cooking® is looking to hire a part time Cooking Instructor + Team Lead Hiring Manager to help us Cultivate COOLinary Curiosity in Kids®!

You'll teach hands-on cooking classes and also keep our team of chef instructors hired, trained, scheduled and supported. Our hiring process includes two interviews.

ABOUT STICKY FINGERS COOKING

Sticky Fingers Cooking® is a national children's cooking school franchise offering after-school enrichment classes and summer camps. We connect kids and seniors to food through our globally inspired recipes.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Cooking Instructor + Team Lead Hiring Manager is responsible for ensuring that our team of chef instructors are trained, onboarded, equipped and assigned to classes and camps via The Dash® (our proprietary technology platform) based on their schedules and abilities. You'll serve as the primary point of contact for our instructors, fostering a positive, organized and supportive work experience. Staff engagement and retention is a priority, understanding that all instructors teach part-time and many may have other commitments. The ideal candidate is a calm, empathetic and detail-oriented leader who communicates with energy and care.

This is a part-time position. Teaching hours are estimated at 3-5 classes per week (approximately 3-5 hours of class time). Administrative hours are estimated at 10-15 hours per week. Total hours will vary based on program demand, seasonal scheduling, and company growth. This role has the potential to grow into a full-time position.

AS A COOKING INSTRUCTOR

As a Cooking Instructor, you are the face of our company, leading engaging, healthy cooking enrichment classes for students aged 3-18 and seniors 55+.

• Teach: Guide students through our globally inspired recipes while building kitchen skills (chopping, measuring, mixing) and exploring history, geography, and nutrition
• Prepare: Review weekly curricula and shop independently for groceries
• Inspire: Foster a safe, fun, and inclusive environment that builds children's confidence and curiosity
• Subbing: Filling in when an instructor is needed if other instructors are unavailable to teach

AS A TEAM LEAD HIRING MANAGER

As a Team Lead Hiring Manager, you are the operational backbone of our chef instructor team, working closely with the team to keep programs running smoothly.

• Conduct hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and training of new staff - both virtually and in person while ensuring CA HR compliance
• Schedule and manage chef instructors via The Dash®, ensuring all classes are fully staffed
• Serve as the primary point of contact for instructors, communicating in a timely and upbeat manner
• Manage timesheets, reimbursement requests, and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
• Conduct in-person class observations and provide boots-on-the-ground support
• Plan and schedule team meetings, trainings, and gatherings
• Oversee cooking kit inventory, supply ordering, and storage unit organization. This includes cleaning, organizing and distributing kit supplies.
• Build and send newsletters to the chef instructor team
• Maintain daily updates to spreadsheets and Google Drive documents
• Assist with outreach to new venues via emails, phone calls and in-person meetings and attend promotional events (Back to School Nights, etc.)
• Collaborate with the team on long-term operational strategies and company growth

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills - positive, empathetic, and enthusiastic
• Experience managing a team, with a strength in coaching and empowering others
• Experience working with children of various ages
• Proficiency with Google Workspace; comfortable learning new technology and software
• Familiarity with Orange County area schools preferred
• Detail-oriented, self-directed, and calm under pressure
• Flexible and creative approach to problem solving

REQUIREMENTS

• Availability: Monday-Thursday, 1-4pm for teaching; admin hours between 10am-1pm.
• Transportation: Must have reliable access to transportation throughout Orange County for site travel, cooking kit transport, grocery runs, and visits to the storage unit
• Physical: Comfortable lifting up to 30 lbs (cooking kit + equipment)
• Background Check: Fingerprint Background Check (Live Scan) via DOJ and FBI, per the California Fair Chance Act and AB 506 (employment is contingent upon successful completion)
• Food Safety: ServSafe Food Handler Certification required prior to first day (or willingness to obtain)
• Mandated Reporter Training: AB 506 compliance required within first 90 days (paid)
• Harassment Prevention Training: SB 1343 compliance required within first 180 days (paid)

SFC Orange County LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, and all other characteristics protected by federal and California law, including intersectionality and reproductive health decision-making.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. This includes verification of work authorization, reference checks, and a review of criminal history (as permitted by law).