Preschool Chef/Cook Ivy Kids Early Learning Center of Hobbs League City, Texas Full-time | Monday through

Friday Schedule:

6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. About Ivy Kids Ivy Kids Early Learning Center of Hobbs is a vibrant early childhood education center serving children from infancy through school age. We believe children learn and thrive when their minds, bodies, and hearts are nurtured together. Nutrition is an important part of that commitment. Through our signature BrainBites® Nutrition Program , we prepare fresh, balanced meals and snacks onsite using wholesome ingredients such as fresh produce, whole grains, and lean proteins. Our meals are designed to support children's energy, focus, healthy development, and positive relationship with food. We are seeking a dependable, organized, and experienced Preschool Chef/Cook who takes pride in preparing nutritious food, maintaining an exceptionally clean kitchen, and serving children with care. This is an important role within our school community. The right person will understand that consistency, food safety, attention to detail, and timeliness matter just as much as the food itself. About the Position The Preschool Chef/Cook is responsible for independently managing the daily operation of our onsite commercial kitchen and preparing meals and snacks for a large number of children and staff. This position is best suited for someone who: Enjoys being part of a school environment and contributing to the well-being of young children Is dependable, punctual, consistent, and able to maintain a structured daily routine Can confidently prepare food in large quantities while maintaining quality and portion consistency Works well independently without requiring constant supervision Is highly organized and able to manage several deadlines throughout the day Takes genuine pride in cleanliness, sanitation, and an orderly kitchen Understands the seriousness of food allergies, dietary restrictions, cross-contamination prevention, and proper food labeling Is calm, flexible, and solutions-oriented when schedules or needs change Communicates professionally and works collaboratively with school leadership and classroom teachers Primary Responsibilities Prepare fresh, nutritious meals and snacks each day according to the approved BrainBites menu, recipes, serving sizes, and nutritional guidelines Prepare food in large quantities while maintaining consistent taste, texture, appearance, and portion sizes Ensure meals and snacks are ready, portioned, and delivered according to each classroom's scheduled mealtime Prepare safe substitutions for children with documented food allergies, dietary restrictions, religious preferences, or other approved needs Follow all allergy protocols, including proper separation, labeling, storage, preparation, and prevention of cross-contact Maintain a strict nut-free kitchen environment Follow appropriate food-handling, temperature-control, sanitation, and health department requirements Maintain accurate meal counts, temperature logs, substitution records, inventory records, and other required kitchen documentation Keep the kitchen, pantry, refrigerators, freezers, storage areas, carts, equipment, dishes, and food-preparation surfaces clean, sanitized, organized, and inspection-ready Complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning responsibilities without reminders Receive deliveries, check orders for accuracy and quality, rotate inventory, label and date food, and follow FIFO inventory practices Monitor inventory and communicate ordering needs before supplies run low Assist with food ordering, vendor communication, purchasing, and occasional supply runs when needed Minimize food waste and remain mindful of the established food budget Notify school leadership promptly of equipment concerns, missing items, food-quality issues, delivery problems, or other kitchen needs Collaborate with the Center Director on menus, child-friendly recipes, special events, and continuous improvement of the food program Maintain a welcoming and professional presence when interacting with children, families, teachers, vendors, and leadership Follow all Ivy Kids policies and applicable childcare licensing, food safety, and sanitation requirements QualificationsRequired High school diploma or equivalent Previous experience preparing food in a commercial, school, childcare, healthcare, institutional, catering, or high-volume kitchen Ability to prepare meals and snacks for a large group while meeting multiple service deadlines Strong knowledge of proper food handling, sanitation, storage, and temperature-control procedures Excellent organization, time-management, and communication skills Ability to work independently and take ownership of the kitchen's daily operation Food Manager Certification, or ability to obtain and maintain certification within the required timeframe Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license Authorization to work in the United States Ability to pass all required background checks Preferred Two or more years of high-volume cooking experience Previous experience in a childcare center, preschool, school, healthcare facility, senior-living community, or other institutional kitchen Experience accommodating food allergies and dietary restrictions Experience with inventory management, food ordering, cost control, and vendor communication Culinary education, training, or certification Familiarity with

CACFP, USDA

meal patterns, Texas childcare food-service requirements, or similar nutritional guidelines Physical Requirements Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods Ability to lift and safely carry up to 40 pounds Ability to bend, reach, push carts, stock supplies, and move throughout the kitchen and school Ability to work safely around commercial kitchen equipment, heat, refrigeration, and cleaning products What Success Looks Like in This Role A successful Ivy Kids chef is someone the school can count on every day. Meals are ready on time, substitutions are accurate, inventory is controlled, documentation is complete, and the kitchen remains clean and organized throughout the day. Most importantly, the chef understands that every meal served is part of how we care for our children. If you are dependable, detail-oriented, comfortable with high-volume cooking, and passionate about nourishing young children, we would love to meet you.

Job Type:

Full-time Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ivy Kids Early Learning Center of Hobbs is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$14.00 - $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance Application Question(s): Are you available to work Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. consistently? Have you prepared meals for 100 or more people at one time? If yes, approximately how many people did you serve, and in what type of setting? Do you have experience working in a childcare center, school, healthcare facility, senior-living community, catering operation, or another high-volume institutional kitchen? Please describe. This position requires independently managing daily meal preparation, kitchen cleaning, inventory, food ordering, documentation, and multiple meal-service deadlines. Please describe your experience handling similar responsibilities without constant supervision. What interests you about preparing meals for young children in a preschool environment rather than working in a traditional restaurant kitchen?

Experience:

Cooking:

3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

Food Manager License (Required) First Aid/CPR (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

League City, TX 77573 (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person