School Food Program Manager / Lead Cook, Mala`ai Kula Farm-to-School Program

JOB TITLE: School Food Program Manager / Lead Cook, Mala`ai Kula Farm-to-School Program

TYPE: Grant-funded temporary; full-time salaried, for two to three years; could become a permanent position dependent upon availability of funding and performance

REPORTING TO: Malama Kaua`i, Executive Director

LOCATION: Kawaikini NCPCS in Lihue & Kitchen location in Kapaa

DESCRIPTION & DUTIES:

The School Food Program Manager in the Mala`ai Kula farm-to-school program will help to develop a unique and leading-edge pilot program that delivers a consistent, nutritious, and culturally-relevant school food program to Kawaikini NCPCS students. Working alongside Malama Kaua`i’s Executive Director and Farm-to-School Project Coordinator, you’ll be on a small, tight-knit team who work together in a dynamic, challenging, and fast-paced startup environment, focused on building a model `aina-based school food program for Kaua`i. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Helping to startup and manage overall food program operations, including ordering, cleaning, organization, budget management, etc.
  • Preparing and serving a healthy, from-scratch lunch five days a week for students and school staff, adding on breakfast in year two of the project.
  • Maintaining compliance for food service operations with local, state and federal regulations, including National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Dept. of Health (DOH) requirements.
  • Assisting in the development of organizational systems for kitchen, both physical and logistical, to increase efficiency.
  • Reviewing contracts for compliance with appropriate local state and federal regulations and or guidelines.
  • Preparing applications, reports and required forms for programs such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
  • Coordinating Food Service internal audit functions, including review of meal counting and claiming documents, deposits, refunds and transactions.
  • Working effectively and cooperatively with students, parents, school personnel, maintenance staff, business contacts, co-workers, and others.
  • Developing localized menus incorporating traditional and culturally-relevant foods.
  • Implementing unique procurement practices that emphasize purchasing from Kaua`i and all of Hawai`i.
  • Aiding in special projects as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 2+ years of experience in a high-volume, bulk food service environment, such as catering, banquets, or institutional food services.
  • Highly organized, cleanly and efficient kitchen practices.
  • Ability to administer food program related paperwork, budgets, and use a computer/Google Docs.
  • Self-starter & team player who can function well independently in a fast-paced, and oftentimes chaotic, startup environment.
  • Ability to communicate directly and authentically with emotional maturity and aloha.
  • A passion for `ai pono, serving keiki wholesome, from-scratch grinds while supporting Hawaiian farmers and food producers.
  • Must be able to pass a background check.
  • Hawaiian cultural knowledge highly desirable.

BENEFITS:

  • $38,000/annually for 2 to 3 years
  • 10 paid holidays and 6 weeks paid time off for vacation/sick time
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Training, professional development and career growth opportunities

TO APPLY: Email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]