Kitchen Manager & Chef

About the Role:

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks that support the health and development of young children. This role oversees daily kitchen operations, including food safety compliance, menu execution, inventory management, and accommodation of allergies and special dietary needs. The Kitchen Manager also supervises and supports kitchen staff, ensuring a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen while collaborating with center leadership to support a positive early learning environment. The Kitchen Manager reports and works closely with the Health & Nutrition Manager to ensure alignment with nutrition standards, regulatory compliance, and program-wide health initiatives.

Who we are:

Clayton Early Learning is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing children from birth to five with an exceptional start and empowering families for lifelong success. We directly serve approximately 500 children annually through our school, home-based programs, and community partnership sites. As a proud member of the Educare Learning Network and the Head Start community, we are deeply committed to providing high quality early childhood education through a whole-child, whole-family approach. Our unique location on a 20-acre historic campus in Denver is the foundation for our strategic vision to become a thriving neighborhood center to serve the community more fully, addressing needs including food security and health care access. Our team of over 125 dedicated professionals works in a supportive environment of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.

What this Role involves:

• Knowledge of CACFP meal patterns and portion requirements to ensure compliance for young children
• Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring meals are planned, prepared, and served in compliance with CACFP requirements and food safety guidelines
• Prepares and serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (0–5 years), including purees and modified textures, according to established daily schedules
• Accommodates food allergies, special diets, and cultural preferences
• Maintains required food production records
• Develops menus in alignment with CACFP guidelines, ensuring all meals meet nutritional requirements, portions are accurately calculated, and food waste is minimized.
• Supports nutrition education efforts as appropriate (e.g., introducing new foods, promoting healthy eating habits)
• Supervises kitchen staff to ensure food is prepared and cooked properly, providing guidance as needed and maintaining compliance with health and safety standards.
• Monitors and manages inventory, orders food and supplies, and conducts inventory controls and audits.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with external food vendors and suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensures cleanliness of the kitchen and associated equipment and oversees regular sanitization; cleans utensils, equipment, storage, food preparation and serving areas to maintain safe and sanitary conditions
• Reviews CACFP classroom meal records in COPA to ensure accuracy and alignment with classroom hard copies
• Support with Monthly CACFP claim process
• Checks equipment functionality and arranges for repairs or maintenance
• Supports program initiatives by managing and utilizing onsite gardens and promoting fresh, whole, and organic foods in daily meal preparation

FUNCTIONAL LEAD

• Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels including employees, students, and visitors
• Supports the function with all supervisory responsibilities including hiring, professional development, training, performance management and terminations for employees within function
• Overseas and develops the team to build their expertise; provides support and guidance on their activities and workflow
• Assists with the development of new systems based on knowledge of trends, best practices and changes within the industry and discipline

What we are looking for:

Education: Associate degree in Culinary or related field

Certification or Licenses: ServSafe or other food safety certification and culinary certification preferred

Experience: 5+ of kitchen management and cooking experience

Skills: Knowledge of cooking, kitchen operations, and health, sanitation, and safety standards, strong leadership skills with the ability to build relationships, lead a team, and mentor staff , Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, delegate effectively, and provide guidance as a subject matter expert, Skilled in identifying and resolving conflicts while remaining calm under pressure, Strong verbal and written communication skills , Ability to perform and apply basic mathematical calculations , Up-to-date knowledge of relevant functions and regulatory requirements , Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with the ability to learn new systems quickly

Other Special Requirements: Experience with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or Institutional Foodservice Programs and Settings, Current PPD-TB and physical examination, successfully pass a background check and any other regulatory screening requirements.

What we offer:

• 16+ paid company holidays
• Spring Break and Winter Break - up to 10 paid days off
• Accrued vacation time (starting at 10 days/year, up to 30 with tenure)
• Paid sick time
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Mental health support through our medical plan and EAP
• Long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with 5% employer match after 1 year
• FSA plans
• College 529 investment options
• Identity theft protection and more

Compensation:

$60,000-$64,000 per year

Clayton's Core Values

At Clayton Early Learning, we believe that our core values help to drive actions and create habits that allow our belief in the unlimited potential of young children to become a reality. We seek candidates who demonstrate our core values and are motivated by a value-driven environment.

• Collaboration builds trust and relationships and brings new ideas, skills, and knowledge to help us do better work.
• Community fosters resiliency, stability, and strength.
• Fun reduces stress, keeps us motivated, builds connections, and models of joy for our children.
• Growth allows us to develop professionals and provide the best service.
• Stewardship enables us to have the greatest impact on the resources we have.

Clayton Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer that values workplace diversity. We strive to create an inclusive work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We prohibit discrimination of employees or applicants on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law