House Manager/Private Chef

Sage Haus•St. Helena, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The family is seeking an organized, self-starting House Manager to support the day-to-day operations of a busy household in St. Helena, California. The role collaborates with the full-time nanny and coordinates with the weekly housekeeper, helping maintain household systems and routines while providing meal preparation, family support, errands, and pet care. The ideal candidate is proactive, polished, discreet, service-oriented, and able to anticipate needs, use sound judgment, and manage changing priorities with minimal direction. A proven culinary background, including nutrition and organized kitchen systems, is essential. The House Manager plans and prepares healthy, varied, Mediterranean, produce-forward meals for adults and young children, including three to five dinners with leftovers per week and batch-cooked breakfasts. Duties also include grocery shopping, kitchen organization, household inventory and ordering, light tidying, laundry and linens, calendar management, errands, and backup childcare and transportation support. The position also includes afternoon care for the family Labrador. This is a part-time position of 25–30 hours per week, scheduled Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with occasional evening, weekend, and overnight availability required. Compensation is $35–$40 per hour, depending on experience, with mileage reimbursement. The family seeks a trusted, long-term partner who values excellence, care, privacy, and good judgment. A background check is required.

Requirements

Proven culinary background, including nutrition and organized kitchen systems.
Strong cooking fundamentals, including mise en place, preparation lists, timing and pacing multiple dishes, and keeping the kitchen clean and organized.
Ability to plan and prepare batch-cooked breakfasts and daily kid-friendly meals and snacks.
Experience supporting families with young children.
Organized, proactive, self-starting approach and ability to manage tasks with minimal direction.
Strong judgment, discretion, professionalism, and ability to handle sensitive household dynamics.
Polished written and verbal communication skills and ability to adapt to last-minute changes and flexible schedules.
Ability to work independently while collaborating with the principal, nanny, housekeeper, and others.
Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and a clean driving record.
Ability to maintain a smoke-free and fragrance-free environment.
Current CPR and Infant First Aid Certification.
Comfortable signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement; strict privacy and discretion are required.
Clean, professional, practical attire and hygiene appropriate for household work, childcare, cooking, and errands; standards are applied consistently and in compliance with California law, including reasonable accommodations for religion, disability, pregnancy, medical needs, and protected hairstyles.
Up to date on recommended vaccinations in line with American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including COVID-19 and annual influenza, subject to applicable legal accommodations.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Willingness to complete a background check.

Nice To Haves

Fluency with the Skylight calendar platform.
Professional cooking, front-of-house hospitality, and/or estate management background.
Proficiency with calendaring and ordering tools.

Responsibilities

Plan, prepare, and fully cook three to five dinners per week with leftovers, as well as batch-cooked breakfasts.
Prepare mise en place, including cleaning and chopping produce and breaking down proteins.
Cook healthy, kid-friendly meals and snacks in a Mediterranean, produce-forward style, emphasizing vegetables, fish, fruit, and whole grains and avoiding processed foods and junk food.
Shop for groceries weekly, including at local farmers’ markets on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Clean and maintain the kitchen and leave an organized cooking station.
Create and maintain household organization systems; complete light tidying, including dishes, surfaces, and vacuuming high-traffic areas.
Complete daily guest-ready resets and prepare the home for weekly cleaners; coordinate with the cleaning service.
Manage household supply lists, orders, subscriptions, and restocking of pantry, refrigerator, and household supplies.
Refresh the garage, mudroom, and entry; organize toys and gear; and handle other organizational projects.
Track receipts and budgets and manage the family calendar and Skylight household schedules.
Run errands, including returns, dry cleaning, gift shopping, and mail and package handling; break down boxes and roll out trash bins.
Handle basic household upkeep such as changing batteries, light bulbs, and smoke detector batteries.
Wash, fold, and organize laundry; iron or steam clothing; provide special garment care; rotate linens; and keep laundry areas tidy and stocked.
Provide backup pick-ups and drop-offs, light supervision and backup childcare (including nights and weekends), and prepare children's backpacks, clothing, and snacks.
Feed and walk the family Labrador in the afternoon; schedule veterinary and grooming appointments; administer medications; and maintain pet supplies.
Maintain consistent communication with the principal and collaborate with the nanny and other household support staff.