Temporary Food Service Manager

Covenant House California; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House Illinois seeks a Food Services Manager to lead all kitchen operations, ensure healthy, safe food service, and coordinate with the Chief Operating Officer.

You will manage inventory, menu development for youth, staff and volunteer training, sanitation, and policies to support the organization's mission. This is an on-site role requiring strong leadership and food-safety certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma required.
• 3–5 years management experience in hospitality or restaurant settings preferred.
• Certified in Safe Food Handling & Food Manager Certification.
• Experience working with youth, preferably in a residential setting.
• On-site kitchen management and volunteer coordination.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations ensuring healthy and safe work practices.
• Order inventory and create an inventory system for kitchen supplies.
• Create, review and update menu options for youth.
• Establish, implement and communicate menu recipe requirements.
• Be the first point of contact for kitchen volunteers and coordinate scheduling/training.
• Mentor and orient new kitchen staff and volunteers.
• Provide ongoing kitchen training and knowledge transfer to staff.
• Ensure safe storage and disposal of food and beverages.
• Ensure stations are stocked and prepared.
• Notify COO of repairs/maintenance for kitchen equipment.
• Enforce sanitation and preparation procedures.
• Develop and maintain kitchen policies and procedures.
• Create menus and grocery lists; coordinate wellness food volunteers.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Team leadership

Volunteer coordination

Adaptability

Dietary knowledge

Cost analysis

Budgeting

Cultural diets

Policy compliance

Communication

Physical stamina

Background checks

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School Diploma

Food safety certification

Youth services experience

Job description

Covenant House Illinois (CHIL), founded in 2017, provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness across Chicagoland and Illinois. Through trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centered services including shelter, workforce development, education, and clinical support CHIL empowers young people to achieve long-term stability and independence. With continued growth and expansion, CHIL is committed to strengthening service delivery through strong compliance, quality assurance, and data-driven decision-making.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Food Services Manager is responsible for coordinating supervising and directing all aspects of kitchen operations, while maintaining high quality men options and services, collaborating with the Chief Operating Officer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee all kitchen operations ensuring healthy and safe work practices.
• Order inventory and create an inventory system for kitchen supplies, ensuring sufficient stock levels.
• Create, review and update menu options for youth
• Establish, implement and communicate menu recipe requirements.
• Be the first point of contact for kitchen volunteers and work collaboratively with scheduling and coordination training.
• Mentor and complete orientation of new kitchen staff and volunteers.
• Provide ongoing kitchen training, knowledge transfer to the kitchen teams.
• Ensure the safe storage and disposal of food and beverages.
• Ensure preparation and cooking stations are stocked appropriately.
• Notify Chief Operating Officer of any repairs or maintenance required for kitchen appliances and equipment.
• Enforce proper sanitation and preparation practices and procedures.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures relating to kitchen coordination
• Create menu and grocery list, and coordinate volunteers for Wellness food needs
• Adhere to all policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Culinary Arts or Hospitality preferred.
• High School Diploma required.
• 3-5 years' Management experience in the Hospitality or Restaurant industry preferred.
• Certified in Safe Food Handling & Food Manager Certification
• Experience working with youth, preferably in a residential setting.

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct a team.
• Ability to work with volunteer teams.
• Ability to respond quickly in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Knowledge of dietary needs for people with advanced disease an asset.
• Knowledge of cost analysis, fiscal management, and budgeting techniques preparation, restaurant, or cafeteria service;
• Understanding of and ability to prepare diets from Latin, African American, and Kosher cultures;
• Understand and comply with all Agency policies and procedures.
• Is approachable, relatable, builds rapport well, and practices active listening with individuals of varied cultural backgrounds, embracing differences in behavior and lifestyle choices.
• Able to accommodate a wide range of physical activity, including but not limited lifting bags or boxes up to 40 pounds, required to stand, kneel or climb stairs, carry large pots full of hot food
• Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.

Working Conditions

• On-site based on organizational needs.

At Covenant House Illinois, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. We know that a team with varied backgrounds and perspectives is stronger and better equipped to serve our youth. That’s why we foster a culture where every team member feels valued, heard, and supported.

We are committed to continuous learning, honest reflection, and creating opportunities for growth.

Covenant House Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We base all employment decisions on qualifications and business needs—without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Discrimination and harassment have no place here, and we welcome all qualified applicants to join our team.