Soledad Program Chef

Brigaid • Soledad, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Brigaid is hiring a full-time, year-round Program Chef to lead its work with Soledad Unified School District (SUSD) in Soledad, California. SUSD serves nearly 5,000 TK–12 students across seven schools and operates breakfast and lunch foodservice at seven sites. The district seeks to increase scratch cooking, improve menu quality and consistency, and increase student satisfaction. The Program Chef will collaborate with district leadership to plan and implement solutions. The district retains ultimate authority over the program’s strategic direction, while the Program Chef plays a key role in driving change.

The role’s work varies according to program needs and includes training staff, developing and implementing culinary systems and protocols, and creating and rolling out recipes and menus that comply with the National School Lunch Program. The chef will coordinate student tastings, gather feedback, support procurement and equipment planning, participate in hiring recommendations and community events, and document progress while communicating regularly with a Brigaid regional chef. The role also includes food preparation and service, receiving and storing supplies, kitchen setup and cleanup, and other job-related duties. The position reports to a Regional Chef.

The successful candidate will model high standards for food quality, safety, organization, and professionalism; demonstrate leadership and teaching skills; collaborate effectively with people of varied professional backgrounds; and manage projects, priorities, and time. The candidate should have expert knowledge of foundational cooking techniques, basic computer literacy, and flexibility to accommodate schedule changes. Professional requirements include at least five years of professional cooking experience in a non-institutional setting, including at least two years in a kitchen supervisory role; ServSafe Manager certification or the ability to complete a Brigaid-sponsored course and pass the exam during initial training; and successful completion of two background checks before starting. Physical requirements include travel between sites, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, prolonged standing and walking, and proof of a negative skin-prick TB test.

The position offers compensation of $90,000, full benefits, and a $5,000 signing bonus. Candidates must be able to attend a three-hour in-person practical interview in Soledad. A $250 travel stipend is offered to candidates living more than 120 miles away. Candidates hired from more than 120 miles away will receive a one-time, taxable $5,000 moving stipend to support relocation to a commutable area.

Requirements

• At least five years of professional cooking experience in a non-institutional setting.
• At least two years of experience in a kitchen supervisory role.
• ServSafe Manager certification, or ability to take a Brigaid-sponsored eight-hour ServSafe Manager course and pass the exam during the initial training period.
• Successful completion of two background checks before the start date.
• Proof of a negative skin-prick TB test.
• Ability to travel efficiently between sites, potentially while carrying kitchen or culinary equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk around and stand for long periods.
• Expert knowledge of foundational cooking techniques and ability to train people with varied experience levels.
• Excellent leadership and teaching abilities.
• Understanding of, or ability to learn, National School Lunch Program guidelines.
• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft and Google programs and Zoom.
• Ability to work patiently and effectively with teammates and colleagues from different professional backgrounds.
• Ability to collaborate and develop, organize, and drive projects forward while working with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Flexibility to accommodate changes in schedule.
• Passion for institutional foodservice and openness to different visions of good food.

Nice To Haves

• High-volume cooking experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular culinary, safety, and operational training for staff across sites.
• Lead the production or implementation of kitchen systems and protocols, including kitchen organization, serving-line setup, food storage, and HACCP programs.
• Roll out training signs and tools across sites and facilitate creation of new training materials.
• Visit sites regularly to assess progress.
• Develop recipes and menus that comply with National School Lunch Program requirements.
• Develop and implement plans to roll out menu items consistently and with high quality across sites.
• Plan and conduct student tastings of new menu items.
• Gather staff and student feedback and incorporate it into menu planning as appropriate.
• Assist with sourcing products and ingredients and identifying vendors.
• Recommend and help source smallwares and advise on equipment needs.
• Participate in interviews for prospective foodservice staff and provide hiring recommendations.
• Participate in occasional district- or community-wide events, including career fairs, back-to-school nights, and community meals.
• Document progress in a daily journal and discuss it with the Brigaid regional chef during regular Zoom calls.
• Participate in meetings with the district foodservice director and other stakeholders.
• Follow Brigaid and district protocols and standards, as well as USDA and Department of Health guidelines and regulations.
• Perform other job-related tasks, including receiving and storing food and supplies; setting up and breaking down kitchens; scaling recipes; preparing, packing, and serving food; cleaning kitchens; and washing dishes.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid health insurance for the employee and family, with a gold-level Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and an optional platinum-level buy-up.
• 100% company-paid dental insurance for the employee and family through Guardian.
• 100% company-paid vision insurance for the employee and family through Guardian.
• 100% company-paid short- and long-term care insurance through Guardian.
• Paid vacation, sick days, and company holidays.
• 401(k) with a 4% company match and immediate vesting.
• Comprehensive leadership training series and opportunities for professional growth.
• $5,000 signing bonus.
• A one-time, taxable $5,000 moving stipend for qualifying hires living more than 120 miles away.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed