Chef Manager - Yorkville School Nutrition

Role summary

Chef Manager - Yorkville School Nutrition is a full-time role at Whitsons Culinary Group in Yorkville, Illinois, United States (on-site). Posted 2026-08-11. Experience level: 2-5.

Job title

Chef Manager - Yorkville School Nutrition

Company

Whitsons Culinary Group

Location

Yorkville, Illinois, United States

Work arrangement

on-site

Employment type

full-time

Category

Hospitality

Experience level

2-5

Date posted

2026-08-11

Job description

Chef Manager – Cook Up Leadership in School Nutrition!

School Dining Leadership

Are you a culinary professional who’s passionate about food, leadership, and purpose? Join our school nutrition team as a Chef Manager and bring your talent to a kitchen that nourishes students and shapes futures.

What You’ll Do:

Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy, high-quality meals to students and staff

Supervise and train kitchen team members to ensure culinary excellence and efficiency

Create menus that are nutritious, kid-friendly, and compliant with USDA school nutrition guidelines

Maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory controls in alignment with health regulations

Collaborate with school administrators and nutrition staff to support student well-being

Manage production records, vendor orders, and kitchen budgets

Foster a welcoming and inclusive kitchen culture focused on teamwork and accountability

We’re Looking For:

3+ years of experience in culinary management (school food service or institutional setting a plus)

Strong cooking skills with a focus on scratch preparation and batch cooking

Knowledge of USDA school meal requirements, production planning, and food safety standards

A proactive leader who inspires teams and delivers results

ServSafe certification

Passion for feeding students and making a difference in the school community

Why Join Us?

Competitive pay + opportunities for growth

Family-friendly schedule – no nights, weekends, or major holidays

Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, and retirement

Paid time off and professional development opportunities

A chance to lead with purpose and impact the health and success of students every day

About Us:

At Whitsons, we believe great food fuels great minds. As a Chef Manager, you’ll blend culinary skill with compassionate leadership to create a dining program students love. You’ll not only manage meals—you’ll help build a kitchen that’s a cornerstone of community, health, and learning.

Ready to serve up leadership with heart? Apply now and help us nourish the next generation— at Whitsons our mission is Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™.

$42,000/year

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

College or culinary degree from an accredited institution preferred; Food Management Professional (FMP) certification preferred; equivalent combination of culinary training and progressive kitchen management experience will be considered.

Experience

Minimum 3–5 years of high-volume food service management experience required ; K-12 or contract food service experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing kitchen teams, controlling food and labor costs, executing production schedules, and maintaining food safety and sanitation compliance in a high-volume environment.

Certifications

ServSafe certification required ; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment; OSHA certification preferred; must complete all Company-sponsored training requirements.

Technical Proficiency

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required; ability to learn new software programs; proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques required .

Other Qualifications

Strong leadership and team development skills; ability to manage and coach kitchen staff in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; excellent communication skills — both verbal and written.

Self-motivated, organized, and calm under pressure; genuine passion for food quality and culinary excellence; ability to drive own vehicle to other work sites as needed.

Core Competencies

Culinary Excellence: Brings hands-on culinary expertise and a passion for food to every service period; ensures recipe adherence, portion accuracy, and presentation standards are consistently met across all stations.

Food Safety & Compliance: Maintains rigorous adherence to HACCP, ServSafe , and Whitsons food safety and sanitation standards; models and enforces a culture of compliance throughout the kitchen team.

Team Leadership & Development: Hires, trains, and develops a high-performing kitchen team; builds a positive, accountable work environment through clear expectations, consistent coaching, and equitable treatment.

Execution & Accountability: Manages production schedules, cost controls, payroll, and compliance documentation with accuracy and follow-through; ensures daily operational standards are met every service period.

Financial Management: Monitors food and labor costs with discipline; identifies waste reduction opportunities and manages within budget while maintaining quality.

Communication: Communicates kitchen priorities, recipe direction, and compliance expectations clearly to all team members; keeps the General Manager informed of operational issues, staffing needs, and performance concerns.

Customer Focus: Committed to delivering food that meets the highest standards of quality, presentation, and timeliness; understands that student satisfaction and participation are the ultimate measures of kitchen success.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER DETAILS

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position. Days and hours of work are generally aligned with the school or account service schedule. Extended hours may be required in support of special events , new account openings, or peak operational periods.

Travel Requirements

This position is primarily site-based. Occ