Associate Director, Culinary Operations

DC Central Kitchen • Full-time • Washington, DC, US • $85k - $95k / year • 2m ago

***RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED***

ABOUT DC CENTRAL KITCHEN:

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked, farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate cafes. Above all else, we are committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive community, both outside our doors and right here on our team. We strive to offer a safe environment to learn, discover, and develop individual strengths, and pursue meaningful career pathways. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize and work to address the lasting effects of historic injustices and systemic racism, and we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, returning citizens, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply to join our team.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is a national leader in the future of hunger relief, empowering the next generation of leaders to implement innovative models for combatting hunger, developing food systems, and helping communities to help themselves. The Culinary Operations department is an integral part of this innovative approach with a focus on consistent and efficient preparation of high-quality, delicious, and nutritious food products, food safety, and stellar customer service.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Associate Director provides direct oversight of kitchen leaders and works closely with the culinary team to ensure the efficient production of all meals produced at DC central Kitchen. The Associate Director will support the Director, Culinary Operations in coordinating and maintaining standards of excellence for contracted meal services, including contract compliance, safeguarding food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance, and developing strategies to improve stakeholder satisfaction. The Associate Director must possess extensive knowledge of large-scale food service operations, including a strong knowledge of food and catering trends, with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, safety, costs, and presentation. This position also requires excellent leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.

*This position primarily involves managing the overnight shift. Candidates must also be available to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, and weekends.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Direct kitchen leaders to ensure effective and efficient food production operations at DCCK’s commercial kitchen facilities including inbound and outbound deliveries.

· Ensure that team members monitor kitchen and equipment for overall cleanliness and functionality. Ensure that the team follows appropriate food safety measures.

· Collaborate with kitchen leaders on daily focus and motivation for the team to remain energized. to deliver excellent food preparation consistently.

· Ensure timely and accurate approval of Time and Attendance records and payroll submissions for department.

· Maintain and apply knowledge of culinary trends and best practices including HACCP, local and state regulations, USDA school food, recipe adherence and afterschool food regulations, CACFP, etc.

· Collaborate with Culinary Job Training staff to measure student preparedness and capabilities in kitchen operations.

· Create a positive and constructive work environment. Apply problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques to facilitate organizational change.

· Assist in the development and implementation of staffing plans for all programs.

· Comfortable addressing challenges with ambiguous or incomplete information

· Maintain attendance and scheduling records. Administer progressive discipline when necessary.

· Ensure culinary staff is well trained in executing all recipes.

· Communicate with Director and Facilities Management for all maintenance requests and repairs.

· Meet regularly with procurement team to establish ordering levels and delivery schedules.

· Perform other duties and tasks as required to maintain quality relationships with all our partners and customers and / or duties and tasks needed to drive the vision, mission, and values of DC Central Kitchen.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· At least 5 to 7 years of culinary management experience; Prior supervisory experience and financial management experience in large-scale food service operations

· Willingness to work the overnight shift

· Extensive familiarity with culinary operations, food supply chain, and fulfillment logistics in the food service industry

· Demonstrated ability to prioritize goals and deadlines in a fast paced and dynamic environment

· Prior experience in managing related USDA programs and regulations preferred.

· Proficiency in online procurement, menu development, ordering, and catering software

· Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint)

· Demonstrated cultural competence and a commitment to the mission and values of DC Central Kitchen

· Must be inspired to teach, mentor, and develop emerging talent, including graduates of the Culinary Job Training program that are just entering the hospitality field

· Comfortable addressing challenges with ambiguous or incomplete information

· Strong organizational skills and extreme attention to detail

· Demonstrated ability to manage priorities and cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment

· Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, front-line personnel, as well as clients

· Valid Driver’s License

· Current ServSafe® Manager certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

· Must be capable of independent local travel

· Must be able to work rotating shifts regularly, including evenings, nights, and weekends.

· May occasionally move Audio/Visual and other office equipment or lightweight items weighing up to 25 pounds for various meeting and event needs; Some functions of this position may require moderate physical activity, including transporting, positioning, installing, or removing office equipment items, such as printers, computers, phones, and so on

· Will occasionally move about inside the office and commercial kitchen space to access supplies, materials, file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

· Efficently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; constantly positions self to access and maintain computer equipment

· Must be able to work in an environment where exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, dirt, smoke, loud noise, and a variety of odors is common.

· This job description is subject to change at any time.

BENEFITS:

· Medical, vision, and dental insurance (DCCK pays 100% of employee premiums for individual coverage)

· Flexible Spending Accounts (medical, dependent care, and parking)

· Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and personal leave)

· 11 Company Paid Holidays

· Bonding Leave for new parents

· Commuter Benefits plan

· Matching 401(k) program

· Basic Life & Supplemental Life

· Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

· Wellness Reimbursement program

NOTE:

This document is an outline of the primary tasks assigned and may be changed at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. All team members are expected to assist DC Central Kitchen in achieving its goals even if such tasks are beyond the scope of this outline. The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

DC Central Kitchen is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and a Strengths-based organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits: