Kitchen Manager

Harlem Childrens Zone•New York, NY

19d

About The Position

Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), a New York-based education and poverty-fighting organization, is seeking a mission-aligned Kitchen Manager (Lead Cook) for its Promise Academy Kitchen Department. This supervisory role oversees the culinary team and daily cooking and food preparation in accordance with recipes and production guidelines, while ensuring compliance with food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures. The Kitchen Manager oversees or delegates responsibilities across kitchen operations. The role includes training and managing team members, placing kitchen orders, maintaining clean and safe working conditions, controlling costs through ongoing team education, and building teamwork with staff and fellow managers. The Kitchen Manager attends weekly management meetings and hosts daily team meetings. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The salary range is $55,000–$61,000 per year.

Requirements

At least three years of high-volume cooking experience.
At least two years of kitchen management experience leading a staff of eight or more.
Valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to cook a wide variety of foods.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
Ability to stay organized in a changing environment.
Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor during uncertainty or crisis.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Ability to lift 40 pounds.
Frequent exposure to climate change.
Ability to adapt to high-pressure situations and openness to change.
Ability to complete projects and assignments thoroughly, professionally, carefully, and promptly.
Professional conduct and presentation, including setting a professional example for team members.
Ability to understand and communicate the HCZ mission and core values.
Ability to express ideas and convey information clearly, effectively, and professionally.

Nice To Haves

Formal culinary training, degree, or certification.
Commitment to personal growth and development.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily cooking and food preparation according to recipes and production guidelines.
Ensure adherence to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures.
Oversee or delegate responsibilities within kitchen operations.
Train and educate new team members on HCZ culture, philosophies, standards, and operations.
Manage supervised team members, including counseling, disciplining, and scheduling.
Place orders pertaining to the kitchen.
Maintain clean and safe working conditions in the kitchen.
Control costs by continually training and educating team members.
Attend weekly management meetings and host daily team meetings.
Build teamwork among team members and fellow managers.
Create a fun and energetic environment.
Provide an experience that guests will want to repeat.