Kitchen Lead

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the general supervision of the FESCO Program Manager, the Kitchen Lead is responsible for guaranteeing that the residents at Les Marquis and Banyan House are served nutritious, good-tasting and appealing meals and snacks. This position involves extensive organizing, problem- solving, record keeping, and time management.

This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive work culture.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: 

Administrative Duties: 

• Plans and prepares/cooks meals for up to 50 individuals in accordance with California Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and requirements including menus and recipes.
• Plans meals far enough ahead to minimize the need for food substitutions; when substitutions are necessary, with prior approval, purchases and serves food of equivalent nutritional value. With guidance from the Program Coordinators, modifies menus for special dietary restrictions; notes all modifications and substitutes on the posted menu and for CACFP records.
• Prepares, researches, and modifies menus and recipes.
• Prepares foods to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and the medical and feeding needs of children with disabilities or food allergies.
• Train and mentor kitchen employees on proper techniques and procedures
• Oversee the ordering and maintenance of kitchen supplies

Other 

• Purchases food and supplies necessary to prepare the planned menus for the number of children and adults at each site.
• Pick up Food at the Alameda County Food Bank and Produce Hub as needed
• Grocery Shops for all needed ingredients.
• Maintains cost control, budget and inventory systems based on CAFCP procedures including records of food production, service and attendance.
• Maintains established standards of sanitation, safety and food preparation and storage as set by the local and state health departments; maintains an orderly, sanitary, and safe kitchen.
• Modifies menus and recipes and prepares foods to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and the medical and feeding needs of children with disabilities or food allergies.
• Delivers foods from the Banyan House kitchen to Les Marquis House ready to be served as suitable for the site's participants. 
• Assures the proper care and maintenance of all food service equipment; identifies equipment needs for food preparation and service and assists in purchasing as needed.
• Maintains kitchen areas including inspecting and cleaning appliances, sinks, and floors. Coordinate service and repair needs with site coordinators.
• Assists Program Manager and Children’s Activity Leaders with developing food activities for the children during enrichment activities
• Participates in the agency's self-evaluation process and grantee monitoring visits and complies with any applicable Program Improvement Plans developed.
• Participates in nutrition education activities for staff, parents and children.

• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
• Responsible for following Agency policies, rules, and procedures
• Leads and collaborates on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Possess a current Food Handlers Certificate
• Possess Food Manager Certification (certification is valid for 5 years) preferred
• Possess knowledge of the principles and practices and current state of child nutrition and of the eating habits of the children
• Experience in child food service preparation and management is desirable
• Knowledge of CACFP requirements is desirable
• Bilingual, both oral and written, ability (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time

• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred. 
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver’s license required. 
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.   

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care. 
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals 
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness. 
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.

Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities

• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues. 
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.

TEAM COMMITMENT:

• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.  

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING:

• Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to keyboard, fingers, handle, and feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus 
• May require travel, dependent on agency needs
• Can work under deadlines
• Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tools, or controls
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
• Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
• Ability to grasp and carry items
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
• Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances 
• Pet Plan Benefit: 
  • PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.