Kitchen Manager

CARITAS•Richmond, VA

18d•$40,000 - $45,000

About The Position

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for day-to-day operations of an assigned CARITAS kitchen for The Healing Place for Women and for consistently executing Food Service and Nourish to Flourish standards established by the Food Service Senior Manager. The role ensures reliable meal and snack service, food safety and sanitation, menu execution, inventory control, and an organized, recovery-supportive kitchen environment. Under the direction of the Food Service Senior Manager, the Kitchen Manager leads daily kitchen activities and works with program participants, Peer Mentors, interns, and volunteers to prepare balanced, appealing meals. The role reinforces accountability, practical food skills, responsible stewardship, and healthy routines. This is a full-time salaried position with an annual salary range of $40,000 to $45,000.

Requirements

Minimum 1–2 years of food service, institutional kitchen, culinary, or comparable high-volume meal preparation experience.
High school diploma or GED.
Current food safety certification, or ability to obtain required certification within an established timeframe.
Experience with food storage, inventory control, kitchen equipment, and safe food handling practices.
Strong verbal communication and ability to provide clear direction to participants, Peer Mentors, volunteers, and coworkers.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food service environment, prioritize competing needs, and solve routine operational problems.
Commitment to teamwork, stewardship, accountability, and a positive, recovery-supportive kitchen environment.
Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, storage, portion control, inventory practices, and high-volume meal preparation.
Basic administrative and computer skills, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and routine Food Service records.
Ability to regularly stand and walk, bend and reach, and lift, carry, or maneuver food products, supplies, and kitchen equipment; ability to safely meet the physical requirements of a high-volume kitchen.
Local travel between CARITAS locations or for Food Service support may be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing work direction, training, or coaching to others.

Responsibilities

Maintain daily kitchen operations at the assigned location, ensuring meals and snacks are prepared and served on schedule and the kitchen is safe, clean, organized, and ready for service.
Implement Nourish to Flourish menus and standards as directed, maintaining recipe, portion, quality, and nutritional expectations and communicating feedback, inventory needs, and menu improvement opportunities.
Maintain on-site inventory and food stewardship practices, including par levels, storage and rotation, labeling and dating, physical counts, receiving, transfers, and appropriate use of purchased and donated food.
Lead, guide, and train Peer Mentors, program participants, interns, and volunteers in meal preparation, equipment use, sanitation, portioning, storage, and kitchen procedures.
Support purchasing and cost control by communicating product needs, receiving and verifying orders, identifying shortages or quality concerns, documenting transfers and adjustments, and using inventory effectively.
Monitor meal quality, participation, and participant feedback and communicate observations and recommended adjustments to the Food Service Senior Manager.
Coordinate with the Food Service Senior Manager, Food Service Driver, and other Food Service Managers on inventory, donated food, product transfers, and menu needs across CARITAS locations.
Receive, unpack, inspect, and store food and supplies; evaluate freshness and shelf life and ensure safe storage.
Maintain kitchen records and assist with physical inventory counts, in-kind documentation, Food Service reporting, and other administrative records as assigned.
Coordinate with CARITAS departments to provide meals and Food Service support for special events and program activities.
Provide appropriate direction and supervision to Food Service volunteers in support of Community Engagement.
Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary Food Service facilities and coordinate monthly deep cleaning of kitchen and food storage areas with The Healing Place programs.
Monitor kitchen equipment and supplies and report repair, maintenance, or replacement needs to the Food Service Senior Manager.
Maintain required certifications and support readiness for health, safety, and sanitation inspections.
Participate in Food Service, program, and administrative meetings as required.
Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.