Experienced Chef/Food Service & School Operations Support

Primrose School of Aliana•Richmond, TX

4d•$13 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

Primrose School of Aliana is seeking a strong, experienced Chef to manage the school’s daily food-service operations while also supporting broader school operations as needed. The ideal candidate has previous experience preparing meals in a licensed childcare center, preschool, school, or similar institutional setting, understands food safety and allergy requirements, and is comfortable managing breakfast, lunch, snacks, food ordering, inventory, sanitation, and kitchen organization. This role is intentionally broader than traditional food preparation. In addition to leading kitchen operations, the Chef will support the front desk, classrooms, teacher breaks, ratio coverage, and other school needs when operationally necessary. We are looking for someone who is dependable, organized, flexible, safety-conscious, and comfortable being part of the overall school operations team, rather than working exclusively in the kitchen.

Requirements

Previous professional cooking experience in a licensed childcare center, preschool, school, or similar institutional environment strongly preferred.
At least 1 year of childcare food-service experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, proper food handling, storage, and allergy precautions.
Food Manager Certification strongly preferred; ability to obtain required certification if not currently held.
Food Handler Certification required.
Experience preparing meals for groups of children.
Experience with food ordering, inventory, menu planning, and waste control.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently.
Comfortable interacting professionally with children, families, teachers, and school leadership.
Flexible and willing to support the front desk and classrooms when operational needs require.
Must meet all applicable childcare background-check and employment requirements.
Must be physically able to stand for extended periods and lift supplies associated with kitchen and school operations.

Nice To Haves

Experienced childcare Chef or food-service professional who takes pride in providing safe, nutritious meals, maintaining an organized kitchen, and being a dependable part of a school team.

Responsibilities

Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to approved menus and school schedules.
Manage overall kitchen operations and ensure meals are prepared safely, consistently, and on time.
Prepare weekly menus using approved Primrose menu options.
Accommodate children with food allergies, dietary restrictions, and special meal requirements.
Maintain proper food storage, labeling, dating, rotation, and temperature controls.
Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and inspection-ready kitchen.
Wash dishes and maintain kitchen equipment, refrigerators, freezers, pantry, and storage areas.
Manage food ordering, inventory, kitchen supplies, and paper goods.
Monitor food usage and waste while helping control costs and stay within budget.
Maintain required kitchen, food-service, sanitation, and safety documentation.
Follow applicable health department, food safety, childcare licensing, and Primrose requirements.
Prepare meals and snacks for special events when needed.
Monitor or assist at the front desk when leadership is temporarily unavailable.
Welcome and acknowledge families and visitors entering the school.
Help ensure the reception area remains responsive and professional.
Notify the appropriate leadership team member when a family or visitor needs assistance.
Assist with light administrative or operational tasks as assigned.
Support school events, deliveries, supplies, and other day-to-day operational needs.
Responding appropriately to classroom calls or requests for assistance.
Helping provide teacher breaks when needed.
Supporting short-term classroom coverage.
Assisting with ratio coverage when leadership or other staff are unavailable.
Helping during classroom or teacher transitions.
Supporting children safely and appropriately when temporarily assisting in a classroom.
Following all applicable supervision, licensing, health, and safety requirements while providing classroom support.