Job Description

$50,000–$55,000/year plus a $2,000 sign-on bonus

Lead a kitchen that matters.

Skillet Kitchens is looking for an experienced, take-charge Food Service Director to run the kitchen at Haywood County Jail. You'll lead a team, manage a real budget, and make sure every meal that goes out the door is safe, on-spec, and on time. If you like ownership, structure, and knowing your work has a direct impact every single day, this is that job.

Requirements

What you'll do

• Run daily meal prep, cooking, and service from start to finish
• Keep production consistent and waste low
• Manage inventory and vendor relationships
• Own the budget for food, labor, and supplies
• Hire, train, and coach your kitchen team
• Run performance reviews and enforce safety procedures
• Lead cleanliness and food-safety inspections
• Keep accurate, audit-ready records
• Build strong working relationships with facility staff

What you bring

• Comfort working in a secure corrections environment
• Solid food prep, cooking, and food-safety knowledge
• Willingness to obtain food safety certification
• Food service management experience — correctional setting a plus
• Working knowledge of nutrition and dietary guidelines
• Leadership chops: clear communication and people skills

Schedule

This role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed — kitchens don't stop for the calendar, and neither do we. You should be comfortable standing, lifting, and moving food supplies and equipment throughout your shift.

Why you'll want to stay

• Paid weekly — no waiting around for payday
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, dental, and vision after 60 days
• Holiday pay and paid bereavement leave
• Pregnancy and bonding leave
• 401(k) match after 6 months
• Uniform tops provided
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee referral program
• Free $50,000 term life insurance policy
• Real internal promotion paths — we like to hire from within

About the sign-on bonus: $2,000, paid immediately upon hire. You'll keep it as long as you're still with us at the 90-day mark — if employment ends before then for any reason, the bonus is repaid.

This description covers the core of the role — day-to-day duties and requirements may flex a bit based on the facility's needs.

M/F/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories encouraged to apply.