Kitchen Manager
Early Learning Center at George Earle 

Seeking a Kitchen Manager for the Early Learning Center at George Earle. Position available beginning the 2026-2027 school year. 

Position Summary

To manage the daily operation of an assigned school kitchen and cafeteria by coordinating food preparation, meal service, sanitation, inventory, recordkeeping, equipment needs, and assigned nutrition staff. The Kitchen Manager helps ensure that meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, and in accordance with school nutrition requirements and department procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily food preparation, portioning, setup, and service of breakfast, lunch, snacks, and other assigned menu items.
• Lead and support assigned school nutrition staff and substitutes in daily kitchen and cafeteria operations.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe kitchen, serving, storage, dishwashing, and cafeteria areas.
• Follow and monitor food safety, sanitation, HACCP, personal hygiene, and safe food handling procedures.
• Complete and maintain required production records, temperature logs, inventory records, delivery records, and other school nutrition documentation.
• Monitor inventory, supplies, equipment needs, and daily workflow, and communicate operational needs to the Director of School Nutrition or designee.
• Use assigned technology and computer systems for inventory, ordering, recordkeeping, communication, and department reporting.
• Support a positive, professional, and student-centered meal service environment.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Successful prior experience in food service, school nutrition, cafeteria service, or a related setting.
• ServSafe Certification.
• Ability to read and follow recipes, menus, labels, production schedules, safety procedures, written instructions, and department procedures.
• Ability to complete required records, logs, reports, and documentation clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate professionally with supervisors, staff, students, parents, vendors, administrators, and visitors.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize tasks, solve routine operational issues, and support daily kitchen operations.
• Ability to use technology and computer systems for inventory, ordering, recordkeeping, communication, and department reporting.

Preferred:

• Prior experience leading, coordinating, or directing the work of others.
• Prior experience with inventory, ordering, production records, kitchen operations, or school meal service procedures.

Terms of Employment

Compensation is as defined in the School City of Hobart Department of School Nutrition handbook and/or applicable wage schedule.

The Kitchen Manager position is a school-year position. The regular work schedule is generally 8 hours per day for 180 days per school year, unless otherwise assigned. 

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Rate

• $18.00/hour

Benefits 

• Basic health, dental, and vision insurance
• Term life insurance
• Section 125 cafeteria plan options
• INPRS PERF retirement eligible position
• Sick and personal days included
• 403(b) plan available
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available

Physical Demands

This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, and use of hands and fingers to prepare and serve food, wash dishes, clean work areas, organize supplies, complete records, and operate kitchen or cafeteria equipment. The employee must be able to work in varying kitchen and storage temperatures, move safely throughout kitchens, serving lines, storage rooms, dish areas, and cafeterias, and lift/carry up to 50 pounds frequently.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in school kitchens, serving lines, dish rooms, storage areas, refrigerators, freezers, and cafeterias. Work involves exposure to kitchen equipment, moving mechanical equipment, cleaning chemicals, wet floors, noise, heat, cooler/freezer temperatures, and fast-paced meal service periods. The position requires regular interaction with students, staff, administrators, vendors, and visitors in busy school environments and constant awareness of food safety, sanitation, student safety, equipment safety, and general workplace hazards.

Application Procedure

Please submit an online application. If you have questions about the position, contact:
Patrick Ryba-King, Director of School Nutrition
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (219) 947-2413 Ext. 5

Pre-Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon meeting district pre-employment requirements. This includes expanded criminal history checks and expanded child protection index checks, as applicable. Pre-employment drug screening is also required. Other pre-employment requirements may apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The School City of Hobart is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School City of Hobart ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. The School City of Hobart has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources.