Job Description

Chef Manager – Cook Up Leadership in School Nutrition!

School Dining Leadership

Are you a culinary professional who’s passionate about food, leadership, and purpose? Join our school nutrition team as a Chef Manager and bring your talent to a kitchen that nourishes students and shapes futures.

What You’ll Do:

Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy, high-quality meals to students and staff

Supervise and train kitchen team members to ensure culinary excellence and efficiency

Create menus that are nutritious, kid-friendly, and compliant with USDA school nutrition guidelines

Maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls in alignment with health regulations

Collaborate with school administrators and nutrition staff to support student well-being

Manage production records, vendor orders, and kitchen budgets

Foster a welcoming and inclusive kitchen culture focused on teamwork and accountability

We’re Looking For:

3+ years of experience in culinary management (school food service or institutional setting a plus)

Strong cooking skills with a focus on scratch preparation and batch cooking

Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements, production planning, and food safety standards

Experience in large food operations

Large volume Food Production Experience

Management experience directing and leading team members workflows

Ability to work in large production kitchens and inventory managements and product ordering

Strong logistical skills for setting up food production, training teams, and managing operations

A proactive leader who inspires teams and delivers results

ServSafe certification

Passion for feeding students and making a difference in the school community

Why Join Us?

Competitive pay + opportunities for growth

Family-friendly schedule – no nights, weekends, or major holidays

Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, and retirement

Paid time off and professional development opportunities

A chance to lead with purpose and impact the health and success of students every day

About Us:

At Whitsons, we believe great food fuels great minds. As a Chef Manager, you’ll blend culinary skill with compassionate leadership to create a dining program students love. You’ll not only manage meals—you’ll help build a kitchen that’s a cornerstone of community, health, and learning.

Ready to serve up leadership with heart? Apply now and help us nourish the next generation—at Whitsons our mission is Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™.

Payrate: $50,000 - $60,000/yr

Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:
Education:

• College/Culinary degree preferred.
• FMP preferred
• Safety training classes completed as required

Certifications:

• ServSafe Certification required
• OSHA Certification preferred but not required

• Local food safety certification, if required in jurisdiction of employment.

Computer Skills:

• All Microsoft Office Suite products
• Ability to learn new software programs

Other Qualifications, Experiences and competencies: Minimum 3-5 years of high volume food service management experience required.