Kitchen Programs Manager
9 days ago
Rochester
Job DescriptionDescription: Our Mission Our mission is to leverage the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities. Our Vision We believe that the fight against hunger and the fight against poverty are one and the same. We envision a future in which food is recognized as a human right and every person is able to feed themselves and their families in dignity. Together, we work to create a more nourished, prosperous region. The Foodlink Way • Act With Compassion, • Take Responsibility, • Be a Team Player Department: Kitchen Operations Reports to: VP of Kitchen Status: Full-time, Salary, Non-Exempt Job Level: 7 Direct Reports: Programs Coordinator, Accounts Coordinator, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Registered Dietitian (RD), Meal Programs Specialist Position Summary The Kitchen Programs Manager (KPM) is responsible for overseeing and integrating all programmatic and operational functions within the Community Kitchen, which serves over 1,700 meals daily to more than 120 meal sites, including child and senior nutrition programs. This role ensures seamless coordination across sub-sections of the kitchen, other departments, compliance with regulatory standards, and continuous improvement in service delivery. The KPM manages a team that is responsible for customer service, site training and compliance, record keeping and invoicing. The Kitchen Programs team serves as the intermediary between customers, regulatory/funding agencies and production teams. Key Responsibilities: Team Management • Supervise and support a multidisciplinary team responsible for customer service, site compliance, record keeping and invoicing., • Develop and implement strategies to optimize workflows and enhance program efficiency., • Create and document standard operating procedures., • Build strong relationships with community partners, meal sites, and internal teams., • Lead the bid and RFP process for new sites and re-bids., • Collaborate with leadership on new customer prospects, • Represent the organization in external meetings and program evaluations., • Ensure adherence to CACFP, SFSP, NSLP and other regulatory requirements., • Manage program budgets and monitor cost-effectiveness., • Collaborate with Accounts Coordinator on reporting and audits., • Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies., • Implement digital tools for compliance tracking, delivery management, and reporting.Requirements: Required Skills & Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Business Administration, or related field., • Minimum 5 years of experience in program management, food service operations, or nonprofit leadership., • Strong knowledge of child and senior nutrition programs and compliance standards., • Proficiency in data analysis and technology platforms for program management., • Exceptional organizational and project management skills. Personality & Leadership Traits • Mission-driven and passionate about community impact., • Collaborative and empathetic leader who values team input., • Adaptable and solution-oriented in fast-paced environments., • Detail-focused with a commitment to accountability and excellence., • Strong communicator with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams. Performance Metrics • Program compliance and audit success rates., • Operational efficiency improvements., • Team engagement and retention., • Stakeholder satisfaction and community impact. Salary and Benefits This is a full-time, year-round position paid on a salaried basis, ranging from $62,642-$78,303/year, depending on experience (DOE). Foodlink covers 100% of individual health and dental insurance with the ability to acquire family coverage with pretax dollars. In addition to generous paid time off (PTO), we observe 14 paid holidays throughout the year. Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement savings plan upon hire. Eligible for generous employer match after 1 year of service. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, and hear., • The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel items such as documents., • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive. Employees will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as required. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Foodlink is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Foodlink we believe that anti-hunger work is only possible with a commitment to removing barriers caused by systems of oppression that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We recognize that systematic injustice and bias disproportionately impact some identities more than others. Foodlink is actively working to center equity—the fair treatment of all people—in everything that we do so that everyone in our region has access to nourishing food that reflects and values cultural differences. Foodlink is committed to listening and supporting solutions to hunger that are sourced from people and communities with lived/living experience of hunger and poverty, and to responding where inequities exist. Foodlink is committed to taking great care to cultivate internal culture and practices that support diversity and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and understands their connection to the Foodlink mission. Foodlink employees have a responsibility to always treat others with dignity and respect. Employees are expected to always exhibit conduct that reflects our values and promotes equity and inclusion during work, and at work functions.