This vacancy is for the 2025-2026 School Year

Culinary Specialist

Executive Assistant, Grade 1 ($55,018 - $65,890)

(Pay Rate for 2024 - 2025 School Year)

12-month, Full Time

Hours may vary from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Scope of Responsibilities

The Culinary Specialist reports to the Executive Chef and will be responsible for assisting the Executive Chef for the overall success of the Food Services Department. This role will be the leader for the district kitchen in the receiving, storage, prep and production, and distribution of the food to the schools within the district. This role will oversee the Head start program food prep and distribution. This position will also be the primary person to receive the food orders from the elementary supervisors and place food orders for the district.

Performance Responsibilities

Plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of the district kitchen employees in order to prepare and deliver food products to the serving areas at the schools in an efficient, timely, and proper manner.
Oversees district kitchen operations while maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment for the staff.
Prepares or directs the preparation of meals in accordance with corporate programs and guidelines.
Adheres to the sanitation and safety practices which comply with the State, County, and District requirements, which include the receiving, storing, handling, preparing, and serving of food products, as well as the general cleaning and sanitation of the kitchen and equipment.
Develop production schedules and work assignments. Trains and cross-trains members of the staff.
Communicates to the Assistant Director/ staffing Manager concerns regarding personnel matters and the overall department.
Communicates to the Executive Chef concerns regarding equipment, food safety, or product matters.
Ensures proper portion control and documentation of cooking, cooling, and transporting to the other locations.
Works with the Food Service drivers on scheduling routes and proper transportation to schools.
Adheres to the proper safety practices such as checking for hazards in the area, removing hazards, reporting to the Executive Chef, and completing accident reports.
Complete all food service reports in a timely manner, including inventory. Completes all food services documentation of logs.
Must attend all Back-to-School trainings and other meetings and trainings that are assigned.
Ensure compliance of the national School Lunch, Breakfast, and Dinner programs. Ensures compliance of the CACFP program. Program adheres to the USDA, Michigan Department of Education, health department, and district regulations.
Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director of Food Services or the Executive Chef.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree or five (5) years experience as a sous chef or chef, along with a high school diploma or equivalency.
SERV Safe certified or equivalent food safety and sanitation certification or must obtain within 90 days of hire.
Experience ordering food and supplies in high volumes using ordering software and online ordering sites.
Must possess excellent computer skills and be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, Google, and email.
Experience managing staff of food service employees, cooks, and drivers.
Must have a strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Must be able to work under pressure.
Must display reliable attendance and promptness.
Must have a high standard of personal hygiene.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience in school food service, large volume restaurant, hotel, corporate dining, healthcare food service, of other related high volume food service operations.
Two years of culinary management experience is desirable with high production output.

Please apply online at www.kpsjobs.com

Kalamazoo Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer