Lead Food Service Worker - Alan B. Shepard School Nutrition

Role summary

Lead Food Service Worker - Alan B. Shepard School Nutrition is a full-time role at Whitsons Culinary Group in Palos Heights, Illinois, United States (on-site). Posted 2026-08-11. Experience level: 2-5.

Job title

Lead Food Service Worker - Alan B. Shepard School Nutrition

Company

Whitsons Culinary Group

Location

Palos Heights, Illinois, United States

Work arrangement

on-site

Employment type

full-time

Category

Hospitality

Experience level

2-5

Date posted

2026-08-11

Job description

Lead Food Service Worker – Bring Your Passion to the Plate!

Monday–Friday | No Nights, Weekends, or Holidays!

Love food? Love making a difference? Join our team as a Lead Food Service Worker and help serve up fresh, nutritious meals to students every day—all while leading a fun, energetic kitchen crew in a supportive school environment!

This is more than just a job—it’s a chance to lead with heart, feed young minds, and grow your career in food service, all on a schedule that fits your life.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Take the lead in preparing and serving meals that meet nutrition and portion guidelines

Handle daily ordering, receiving, and storage of food, beverages, and supplies

Keep the kitchen running smoothly by organizing cleaning duties and ensuring food safety

Set up hot and cold serving lines, brew coffee, and keep beverage areas stocked

Deliver meals when needed for classrooms, staff, or catered events

Manage POS/cash handling and make sure deposits are accurate

Be a key player on a supportive, mission-driven team that truly cares

Why You’ll Love Working With Us:

Family-Friendly Schedule – No nights, weekends, or major holidays

Summers Off – Recharge and reset while school’s out

Growth Opportunities – We’ll help you build your skills and advance your career

Meaningful Work – Fuel student success and well-being every single day

Awesome Benefits Include:

Competitive pay

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

401K with company match

Paid time off

Ongoing training and development

A positive team environment where your work matters

What We’re Looking For:

High school diploma or equivalent

1+ year of food service experience

ServSafe certification (or willingness to get certified)

Great attitude, reliability, and team spirit

Ability to speak and read English and follow safety procedures

Comfortable standing, lifting (up to 40 lbs), and working in hot/cold environments

At Whitsons Culinary Group , we believe every meal is a chance to make a difference. We proudly serve nutritious food in schools, helping students stay energized and ready to learn. If you’re looking for rewarding work that gives back, we’d love to have you on our team.

Be a part of something meaningful—apply today and help us keep enhancing life one meal at a time. ™!

Pay Rate: $18-$20/hour

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

M ust complete all Whitsons and government-mandated training as required ; food safety manager training strongly preferred.

Experience

Minimum 2–3 years of professional food service experience required ; prior lead, senior, or PIC experience in a school nutrition or institutional food service setting strongly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to direct the work of others in a kitchen or food service environment; experience with USDA NSLP/SBP program requirements, production records, and temperature log maintenance preferred.

Certifications

ServSafe certification required — this is a mandatory requirement for the PIC designation , however, can be trained upon higher; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment.

Technical Proficiency

Ability to read and follow approved menus, recipes, yield guides, and production records; experience with POS systems and cash handling preferred; ability to complete compliance documentation accurately.

Other Qualifications

Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and the ability to lead a team with a calm, positive, and accountable approach; must be able to speak and read English sufficient to perform job assignments and communicate effectively with school staff, parents, and team members.

Always presents a positive and professional image; ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced kitchen environment; commitment to food safety, team development, and Whitsons ’ mission.

Core Competencies

Food Safety Leadership: Maintains current ServSafe certification and serves as the on-site food safety authority during the shift; enforces sanitation standards, temperature controls, and compliance documentation with consistency and accountability.

Shift Leadership & Team Direction: Effectively coordinates and directs the food service team during the shift; assigns tasks, monitors performance, and addresses operational issues with professionalism and sound judgment.

Execution & Reliability: Completes all food preparation, service, compliance documentation, and sanitation responsibilities accurately and on time; consistently meets meal service deadlines and operational standards every shift.

Attention to Detail: Demonstrates precision in portioning, temperature monitoring, production records, and station setup; understands that accuracy in compliance documentation directly supports program integrity and regulatory compliance.

Communication: Communicates clearly with the Chef Manager, food service team members, and school staff; escalates issues appropriately and keeps the Manager informed of all significant operational or personnel matters.

Customer Focus: Serves students and school staff in a friendly and professional manner; takes pride in food quality, presentation, and the overall meal experience; maintains a welcoming and clean service environment at all times .

Professionalism: Models Whitsons ’ standards of conduct, appearance, and attitude for the food service team; follows all policies, schedules, and procedures and holds the team to the same standard.