Food & Life Skills Manager

Youth Empowerment & Support Services•Edmonton, AB

3d•Onsite

About The Position

YESS is a not-for-profit agency working with youth facing difficult realities. Based in Edmonton, our Youth Support Centre provides immediate and low-barrier 24/7 sleep support and individualized wrap-around supports for young people aged 15 -24. We work collaboratively within a network of care, focused on the prevention of youth homelessness by providing youth with the necessary supports to stabilize their housing, improve their wellbeing, build life skills, connect with community, and avoid re-entry into homelessness. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to cultivating an environment where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. YESS is an equal opportunity employer and always strives to ensure all employment decisions are grounded in equity, fairness, and merit.

Requirements

Diploma, degree, or recognized credential in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience may be considered.
2+ years of progressively responsible food-service, community-food, or hospitality experience, including staff leadership in a commercial, community, or high-volume kitchen
Experience with practical training, menu planning, food production, food safety, inventory, procurement, cost control, budgets, vendors, records, and operational reporting.
Knowledge of food insecurity, youth homelessness, trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, accessibility, and barriers to adulthood
Current recognized Food Safety certification
Strong knowledge of Alberta public-health requirements, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, and WHMIS
Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence, driver's abstract, proof of vehicle insurance, and clear PIC and CIRC checks obtained within the last six months
Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and work around common kitchen hazards

Nice To Haves

Youth-service, volunteer, CARF, or Red Seal experience is an asset
First Aid, ASIST, NVCI or TCI, and trauma-informed-care training are assets

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for YESS' Food & Life Skills programming across approved service locations
Develop operating plans, schedules, budgets, service standards, and measurable outcomes aligned with organizational priorities
Ensure programming is trauma-informed, youth-centered, culturally responsive, accessible, and developmentally appropriate
Ensure reliable access to safe, nutritious, high-quality, and culturally responsive meals, including dietary and allergy accommodations
Oversee menus, food production, service, hospitality, sanitation, receiving, storage, inventory, procurement, equipment, and continuity planning
Maintain compliance, required records, inspection readiness, corrective actions, facilities coordination, and escalation under AHS, food-safety, OHS, WHMIS, privacy, and agency requirements
Manage the approved budget, purchasing, vendors, inventory, donations, cost per meal, waste, spoilage, and sustainability opportunities
Develop structured learning in cooking, nutrition, grocery budgeting, food safety, cleaning, household routines, hospitality, and shared responsibility
Use supported practice to assess and document demonstrated capability, not attendance alone
Coordinate culturally responsive cooking, certifications, and work-preparation activities with staff, volunteers, cultural knowledge holders, and partners
Connect demonstrated skills and youth interests to career exploration, placements, internships, references, and employment opportunities
Recruit, onboard, schedule, supervise, coach, and evaluate Kitchen Staff and other assigned team members
Set expectations for safety, daily kitchen leadership, youth engagement, documentation, teamwork, boundaries, hospitality, and resource stewardship
Develop a coordinated volunteer and partnership model with clear orientation, safeguards, supervision, recognition, and mission-aligned relationships
Coordinate with Safety & Stabilization, Wellness, and Transition & Follow-Up so food, household skills, certifications, and employment activities support one youth-owned plan
Ensure accurate, timely documentation of programs, services, competencies, certifications, volunteer contributions, inventory, incidents, and corrective actions
Use data, youth feedback, staff observations, and accessibility information to improve quality and report to leadership, funders, auditors, and accreditors