Teaching Kitchen Supervisor

The Culinary Institute of America; Napa (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage at no cost

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement savings with high employer

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Culinary Institute of America in Napa, CA, seeks a Teaching Kitchen Supervisor to oversee daily setup, stockroom, and equipment for public-facing kitchen programs. Working with the Teaching Kitchen Manager, you will manage inventory, par stock levels, scheduling, and coordination with coordinators.

You will supervise coordinators, ensure CIA standards of cleanliness and organization, and collaborate with departments to plan events.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Culinary Arts or related field; five years in kitchen management or customer service in food service.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred and Serve Safe certification is a plus.
• Proven supervisory experience and ability to train and schedule staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily setup/breakdown of kitchen, stockroom, and facilities.
• Manage inventory for kitchen small wares and par stock levels.
• Oversee equipment in Napa Valley Vintners Theatre; submit work orders as needed.
• Maintain organization of dry storage, cabinets, dish room, and cold storage.
• Inspect facilities daily and coordinate maintenance with Facilities Management.
• Supervise post-service cleaning and coordinate contracted cleaners.
• Lead supply ordering, delivery logistics, and cost-control initiatives.
• Collaborate with departments to coordinate kitchen programming and events.

Skills

Food safety basics

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Customer service

Adaptability

MS Office

Education

Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The hiring rate for this position is $28.00 per hour.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Teaching Kitchen Supervisor works directly with the Teaching Kitchen Manager to ensure the seamless day-to-day logistical operations of the Copia Teaching Kitchen. This includes maintaining the stockroom, walk-in cooler, and other facilities vital for the high-level execution of all public-facing kitchen programs.

The Supervisor assists the Manager with the inventory of all kitchen small wares, as well as maintaining par inventory levels in the stockroom, walk-in cooler, and all teaching kitchen par stock. Works closely with the Teaching Kitchen Manager to provide direct supervision and support to the Teaching Kitchen Coordinators. This position collaborates closely with the Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program (ACAP), Food Enthusiast Programs, Strategic Initiatives Team, and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Consulting team to ensure kitchens are organized and stocked to meet client needs. The Supervisor also supports the Manager in coordinating kitchen events through close collaboration with both internal and external groups, including branch campus departments.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and actively assist in the daily setup and breakdown of the kitchen, stockroom, and all support facilities, ensuring they are prepared for all scheduled programs and events.
• Oversee inventory management (Hestan Teaching Kitchen and Napa Valley Vintners Theatre) for all kitchen smallwares, ensuring accurate tracking of stock levels and reporting any discrepancies or needs directly to the Teaching Kitchen Manager.
• Working closely with the Teaching Kitchen Manager, oversee the equipment in Napa Valley Vintners Theatre to ensure it is maintained and in proper working condition, submitting work order when required.
• Maintain and enforce high standards of organization across all dry storage areas, equipment cabinets and drawers, the dish room, and all walk-in and reach-in units.
• Conduct and document daily inspections of kitchen facilities to identify maintenance, cleaning, and equipment issues; promptly initiate and track work orders through Facilities Management, ensuring timely resolution.
• Supervise post-service cleaning procedures and ensure coordination and accountability for contracted cleaning services.
• Implement and monitor established food par stock levels (e.g., dairy, dry goods, produce), ensuring adequate supply for all instructional needs and minimizing overstock.
• Lead supply ordering and delivery logistics in coordination with the Manager, contributing to usage analysis, waste reduction, and cost control efforts.
• Oversee inventory and ordering of par stock ingredients (dry goods, beverages, alcohol, sanitation supplies, linens), enforcing efficient stock rotation and spoilage control in collaboration with Teaching Kitchen Manager.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to coordinate and supervise all logistical aspects of Teaching Kitchen programming.
• Coordinate with departments on specialty equipment needs for diverse programs and events, ensuring timely setup and functionality.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of Teaching Kitchen Coordinators by providing input and support throughout the interview and onboarding processes.
• Work with Teaching Kitchen Manager to supervise, train, and schedule Coordinators, clearly assigning responsibilities, offering regular feedback, and fostering their ongoing professional development.
• Provide on-the-spot guidance and operational support to Coordinators, helping them troubleshoot issues and continuously improve service delivery and efficiency.
• Ensure consistent adherence to CIA standards related to cleanliness, organization, service quality, and precision in kitchen operations.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements in control procedures, equipment maintenance, and purchasing needs to the Teaching Kitchen Manager.
• Represent the Teaching Kitchen team in meetings with Purchasing, Facilities, and culinary faculty, supporting smooth coordination of policies, events, and ongoing operations.
• Any and all other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Associate Degree in Culinary Arts or related field or a High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in kitchen management or customer service in a hospitality or food service-related field in lieu thereof.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of California food handling laws.
• Serve Safe Certified.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of basic food ingredients and kitchen operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to show a high level of service responsiveness to customers.
• Must have a proven, consistent track record showing the ability to work with all levels within an organization.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment, and maintain collaborative relationships with all members of the team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry 30 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry 50 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to withstand high ambient temperatures while working in close proximity of cooking equipment.
• Ability to stand and work for extended periods of time during customary service hours.
• Able to bend, stoop or reach as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.