Lead Cook (6670)

Position Summary

The Lead Cook provides hands-on daily direction to The Stewpot's Meal Services operation, helping ensure kitchen and front-of-house activities run safely, efficiently, and consistently. Working closely with the Manager of Volunteer and Food Services, this position serves as the primary on-site operational lead.

The Lead is expected to be actively engaged in daily operations while providing direction, accountability, and support to kitchen staff and volunteers. The role also ensures the kitchen is organized and prepared for a successful transition into dinner and weekend service.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day operational direction for kitchen and front-of-house activities during the morning and lunch shifts.
• Help to create and foster an environment of hospitality and dignity to ALL – volunteers, neighbors, and coworkers.
• Assign daily roles and responsibilities among kitchen staff based on meal production needs, staffing levels, and individual strengths.
• Lead front-of-house meal service and help ensure meals are served efficiently, respectfully, and consistently.
• Help create and coordinate weekly menus in collaboration with the Manager of Volunteer and Food Services and kitchen team.
• Develop and communicate daily production plans, including quantities, preparation needs, and staff assignments.
• Ensure kitchen SOPs, food-safety standards, sanitation procedures, portion standards, PPE requirements, and established policies are consistently followed.
• Monitor completion of required meal-production, food-temperature, refrigerator/freezer, cleaning, and other operational logs.
• Reinforce proper food storage, labeling, dating, FIFO, receiving, sanitation, and safe food-handling procedures.
• Help organize donated and purchased food and identify products that can be incorporated into upcoming menus.
• Communicate staffing concerns, food shortages, equipment problems, safety concerns, and repeated SOP violations to the Manager of Volunteer and Food Services.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, safe, and professional kitchen environment.
• Provide guidance to Meal Services volunteers and help ensure volunteers receive clear assignments and a welcoming experience.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, accountability, hospitality, and respect with staff, volunteers, partners, and neighbors served.
• Participate in staff training and reinforce established procedures and expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Meal Services operations.
• Uphold The Stewpot’s values and represent the organization professionally.