Chef Manager - Middletown School Nutrition

Whitsons Culinary Group•Middletown Township, NJ

5d•$58,000•Onsite

About The Position

Are you a culinary professional who’s passionate about food, leadership, and purpose? Join our school nutrition team as a Chef Manager and bring your talent to a kitchen that nourishes students and shapes futures. At Whitsons, we believe great food fuels great minds. As a Chef Manager, you’ll blend culinary skills with compassionate leadership to create a dining program students love. You’ll not only manage meals—you’ll help build a kitchen that’s a cornerstone of community, health, and learning.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in culinary management (school food service or institutional setting a plus)
Strong cooking skills with a focus on scratch preparation and batch cooking
Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements, production planning, and food safety standards
A proactive leader who inspires teams and delivers results
ServSafe certification
Passion for feeding students and making a difference in the school community
College or culinary degree from an accredited institution preferred; Food Management Professional (FMP) certification preferred; equivalent combination of culinary training and progressive kitchen management experience will be considered.
Minimum 3–5 years of high-volume food service management experience required; K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing kitchen teams, controlling food and labor costs, executing production schedules, and maintaining food safety and sanitation compliance in a high-volume environment.
ServSafe certification required; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment; OSHA certification preferred; must complete all Company-sponsored training requirements.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required; ability to learn new software programs; proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques required.
Strong leadership and team development skills; ability to manage and coach kitchen staff in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; excellent communication skills — both verbal and written.
Self-motivated, organized, and calm under pressure; genuine passion for food quality and culinary excellence; ability to drive own vehicle to other work sites as needed.
Culinary Excellence: Brings hands-on culinary expertise and a passion for food to every service period; ensures recipe adherence, portion accuracy, and presentation standards are consistently met across all stations.
Food Safety & Compliance: Maintains rigorous adherence to HACCP, ServSafe, and Whitsons food safety and sanitation standards; models and enforces a culture of compliance throughout the kitchen team.
Team Leadership & Development: Hires, trains, and develops a high-performing kitchen team; builds a positive, accountable work environment through clear expectations, consistent coaching, and equitable treatment.
Execution & Accountability: Manages production schedules, cost controls, payroll, and compliance documentation with accuracy and follow-through; ensures daily operational standards are met every service period.
Financial Management: Monitors food and labor costs with discipline; identifies waste reduction opportunities and manages within budget while maintaining quality.
Communication: Communicates kitchen priorities, recipe direction, and compliance expectations clearly to all team members; keeps the General Manager informed of operational issues, staffing needs, and performance concerns.
Customer Focus: Committed to delivering food that meets the highest standards of quality, presentation, and timeliness; understands that student satisfaction and participation are the ultimate measures of kitchen success.

Nice To Haves

school food service or institutional setting a plus
K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred
OSHA certification preferred
A valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle are preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy, high-quality meals to students and staff
Supervise and train kitchen team members to ensure culinary excellence and efficiency
Create menus that are nutritious, kid-friendly, and compliant with USDA school nutrition guidelines
Maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls in alignment with health regulations
Collaborate with school administrators and nutrition staff to support student well-being
Manage production records, vendor orders, and kitchen budgets
Foster a welcoming and inclusive kitchen culture focused on teamwork and accountability