Natomas Program Chef

Brigaid • Sacramento, CA

2d • $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are hiring a Program Chef to lead our work with Natomas Unified School District (NUSD). Located in Sacramento, NUSD supports nearly 17,000 students and has been recognized as one of the most diverse school districts in the nation. The foodservice program serves breakfast and lunch daily across 20 kitchens. NUSD aims to build capacity for more scratch cooking through comprehensive staff training, elevate the quality and consistency of menu offerings, and increase student satisfaction. As the Program Chef, you will work full-time and year-round within NUSD, collaborating closely with district leadership to plan and implement solutions to achieve these goals. While the district retains ultimate authority over the program's strategic direction, you will be a key driver of change. Your responsibilities will be dynamic and depend on the program's needs, encompassing training, recipe and menu development, procurement, and other related tasks.

Requirements

• Model the highest standards for food quality and safety, organization, and professionalism.
• Demonstrate a genuine passion for institutional foodservice.
• Remain open to different visions of “good food.”
• Display a strong understanding of (or an ability to learn) National School Lunch Program guidelines.
• Exhibit excellent leadership and teaching abilities.
• Work effectively and patiently with teammates and colleagues of different professional backgrounds.
• Be eager to collaborate.
• Understand how to develop, organize, and drive projects forward while working with multiple stakeholders.
• Exhibit expert knowledge of foundational cooking techniques as well as an ability to train people of various experience levels on them.
• Demonstrate basic computer literacy, including Microsoft and Google programs and Zoom.
• Be flexible in accommodating changes in schedule.
• Understand how to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.
• At least 5 years of professional cooking experience in a non-institutional setting, including at least 2 years in a kitchen supervisory role.
• ServSafe Manager certified or the ability to take a Brigaid-sponsored 8-hour ServSafe Manager course and pass the exam during your initial training period.
• Successful completion of two to three background checks prior to your start date.

Nice To Haves

• High-volume cooking experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular staff training across sites on basic culinary, safety, and operational best practices in accordance with our standards.
• Lead the production and/or implementation of new systems/protocols (such as kitchen organization, serving line setup, food storage, and HACCP programs).
• Roll out kitchen signs and tools across sites from our catalog of training materials.
• Facilitate the creation of new materials.
• Regularly visit sites to assess progress.
• Develop recipes and menus in compliance with the National School Lunch Program.
• Develop and implement a plan to roll out new menu items with an eye towards consistency and quality across all sites.
• Plan and execute student tastings for new menu items.
• Gather staff and student feedback and incorporate it into menu planning as appropriate.
• Assist with sourcing products or ingredients and finding vendors.
• Recommend and help source smallwares.
• Advise on equipment needs.
• Participate in interviews for prospective foodservice staff and offer hiring recommendations.
• Participate in occasional district- or community-wide events, such as career fairs, back-to-school nights, and community meals.
• Document your progress in a daily journal and discuss with your Brigaid regional chef during regular Zoom calls.
• Participate in meetings with your district's foodservice director and/or other stakeholders.
• Adhere to all of our protocols and standards as well as those of the district as outlined in our respective employee handbooks.
• Adhere to all United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Health guidelines and regulations.
• Assist with any other job-related tasks, including, but not limited to, receiving and storing food and supplies, setting up and breaking down kitchens, scaling recipes, preparing, packing and serving food, cleaning kitchens, and doing dishes.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid health insurance for you and your family — a gold level plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield with a platinum level plan buy-up option as well
• 100% company-paid dental insurance for you and your family through Guardian
• 100% company-paid vision insurance for you and your family through Guardian
• 100% company-paid short- and long-term care insurance through Guardian
• Paid vacation, sick days, and company holidays
• A 401k with a 4% company match and immediate vesting
• A travel stipend of $250 will be offered to each candidate living more than 120 miles away from Sacramento
• Should you live farther than 120 miles from Sacramento and get offered the position, we will support your relocation to an area commutable to Sacramento by providing you with a one-time, lump sum $5,000 moving stipend (subject to tax).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees