Kitchen Manager/Operations Lead

At Yay, lunch is our favorite subject. Yay is out to fundamentally change K-12 school food for the better. We believe that every student should have the opportunity to enjoy a freshly made, wholesome meal they'll love while at school, and that parents should trust that their child feels cared for and nourished.

Founded by parents for parents in 2018, we have expanded and evolved, now serving multiple markets from Chicago to Connecticut and down the East Coast. We have exciting plans and we can't wait to bring our mission to more schools.

We'd love to have you on the team! As a startup, we hustle with heart. We're team players and self-starters. We want you to love what you do, and we give you the tools to succeed with our commitment to flexibility, transparency, respect, empowerment, and positivity. Come join us!

Position Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Kitchen Manager to oversee the culinary operations at our Norwalk and Greenwich partner schools. This role is essential in ensuring the production and delivery of nutritious, high-quality meals to students while fostering a positive and safe kitchen environment. You will lead a small team of culinary professionals, implement effective food service strategies, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations. Depending on school service needs, this may be a full-time or part-time role.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, service, and cleanliness
• Lead and develop kitchen staff to uphold exceptional standards of food quality and safety, while effectively managing labor and streamlining kitchen operations for optimal efficiency
• Plan and prepare fresh, wholesome meals from Yay menus that align with nutritional standards, accommodate diverse dietary needs, and reflect our brand's commitment to serving elevated meals that kids genuinely enjoy.
• Lead team to ensure meals are prepared and delivered at accurate meal times based on our Pre-Order menu technology and day of planned demand.
• Monitor inventory levels, implement weekly ingredient inventory and manage food costs to optimize budget efficiency
• Ensure compliance with local health codes and safety regulations
• Communicate effectively with school administration, staff, and parents regarding menu changes and food service initiatives
• Collect feedback from students and parents to continuously improve meal offerings
• Regularly collaborate cross-functionally with our Food Strategy and School Support teams
  
  

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Kitchen (Chef) Manager in a food service or hospitality environment. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in school food service environments
• Hot Line Cook experience
• Extensive knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices, plus a ServSafe Manager certification (if not already certified, must acquire within first 14 days of employment)
• Prior experience with menu planning and budgeting and inventory practices
• Strong leadership skills and ability to schedule and manage labor effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, including other Yay colleagues, students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Prior experience using Slack, Google Suite, or Microsoft Office preferred
  
  

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Competitive hourly pay range of $20-23 an hour
• The opportunity to be part of a mission-driven food program making a difference in kids' lives
• Predictable hours that support work-life balance