Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Culinary Training Manager

Department: Guest Development (Programs)

Reports To: Men’s Guest Development Director

Status: Full Time/Exempt

Position Summary: Culinary Training Kitchen Manager will lead a hands-on culinary training program designed to empower homeless individuals by equipping them with essential culinary skills, certifications, and knowledge to pursue careers in the food service industry. Operating within a supportive homeless shelter environment, this role focuses on fostering self-sufficiency, building confidence, and promoting personal growth through practical training in a commercial kitchen setting. The program emphasizes safe food handling, basic cooking techniques, and job readiness, while addressing the unique challenges faced by participants experiencing homelessness.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Development and Delivery: Design and implement a structured curriculum for the culinary training program, including modules on ServeSafe certification preparation, knife skills, kitchen safety protocols, food handling and sanitation, basic cooking methods (e.g., sautéing, baking, grilling), recipe development, menu planning, and nutrition basics. Adapt lessons to accommodate varying skill levels and learning needs of participants.
• Instruction and Hands-On Training: Conduct daily or weekly classes in the shelter's kitchen, providing direct instruction, demonstrations, and supervised practice. Guide participants through real-world scenarios, such as preparing meals for shelter residents or community events, to build practical experience.
• Certification and Assessment: Prepare participants for ServeSafe Food Handler or Manager certification exams, including administering practice tests and coordinating official testing. Track progress, evaluate skills through assessments, and provide constructive feedback to ensure participants meet program goals.
• Participant Support and Collaboration: Collaborate with shelter staff and program students to integrate training with broader support services, including resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance in the culinary field.
• Kitchen Management and Safety: Oversee the shelter's training kitchen program, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Manage inventory of supplies, tools, and ingredients, while teaching participants about cost control, waste reduction, and sustainable practices.
• Community Engagement and Partnerships: Build relationships with local restaurants, food banks, and culinary schools for guest speakers, internships, or job opportunities. Organize events like pop-up dinners or catering simulations to showcase participant skills and promote the program.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of participant attendance, progress, and outcomes. Prepare reports on program effectiveness for shelter leadership and suggest improvements based on feedback.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Education, or a related field desired. Equivalent professional experience in culinary training or food service may substitute.
• Experience: 3-5 years in a professional kitchen environment, with 1-2 years in teaching or training roles highly desired. Experience working with vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless, low-income, or at-risk individuals) is highly desired.
• Certifications: Current ServeSafe Manager certification preferred

• Strong instructional skills with the ability to teach diverse groups in an engaging, patient manner.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards, knife handling, and commercial kitchen operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with empathy and appropriate boundaries for working in a shelter setting.
• Ability to handle a fast-paced, dynamic environment, including managing group dynamics and resolving conflicts.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills for curriculum planning, record-keeping, and virtual training if needed.
• Physical stamina to stand for extended periods, lift up to 30 lbs, and demonstrate techniques.

Work Environment

• Primarily on-site at KARM facilities; comfortable in settings with mental illness, addiction, and/or trauma
• May require occasional travel to meet with employers and community partners

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