School Chef & Food Program Manager Leila Day Nurseries - 2.9 New Haven, CT Job Details Full-time $50,000 - $60,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Food provided Qualifications School experience Kitchen health and safety standards Recycling Teamwork Food service health code compliance ServSafe Time management

Full Job Description Employment Details Position:

School Chef & Food Program Manager Type:

Full Time, Exempt Compensation:

$50,000-$60,000 annually, based on education and experience

Schedule:

Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:00pm

Location:

New Haven, CT (On-site) Reports to: Director of Operations About Leila Day Leila Day is a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school where childhood is honored. We innovate and build on the best traditions and practices of progressive, early childhood education. We believe in teaching and learning grounded in caring relationships, filled with joyful, learning adventures, and powered by the creativity of children at play. Teachers plan learning experiences around the needs and interests of the children and the opportunities provided by the natural world and our multicultural community. Our indoor and outdoor classrooms encourage children to explore, wonder, learn, and grow. Located beside East Rock Park in New Haven, we use the woods, trails, streams, and surrounding neighborhood as an extension of the classroom. About the Position Leila Day serves approximately 100 children ages 3-10 and 25 staff through preschool, kindergarten, and afterschool programs. We are looking for a School Chef & Food Program Manager to take ownership of our school food program. This is a hands-on, one-person kitchen operation with responsibility for planning, preparing, serving, and managing breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day. The ideal candidate is a skilled and creative cook who genuinely enjoys cooking for children, takes pride in preparing wholesome food from scratch, and can independently manage the many moving pieces of a busy school kitchen. You will have the opportunity to shape our menus and food culture while working closely with teachers and children. We especially welcome someone who sees food as part of children's learning and is excited to occasionally bring cooking experiences into the classroom. We are looking for someone who is both a great cook and a thoughtful food program manager . You should enjoy working independently while also being an engaged member of a collaborative school community. Key Responsibilities Food & Menu Planning Plan and prepare nutritious, appealing breakfasts, lunches, and snacks that meet USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements and Leila Day's nutrition standards. Create a two-week menu for administrative review and publication on the Leila Day website. Consider children's tastes, developmental needs, and food preferences while introducing a variety of healthy foods and flavors. Accommodate documented dietary restrictions and incorporate feedback from teaching staff. Kitchen & Food Program Management Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snack each school day. Order food and kitchen supplies within budget and manage inventory, receiving, storage, and rotation of products. Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming kitchen, pantry, and food-storage areas in accordance with health regulations and Leila Day standards. Wash breakfast and lunch dishes and coordinate with the cleaning crew for afternoon dishwashing and daily floor mopping. Manage recycling and compost and follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and health regulations. Community & Collaboration Collaborate with teachers around food, menus, and children's interests. Occasionally plan and lead simple cooking or food-related experiences with children. Help cultivate a positive, friendly, and homelike atmosphere around food and mealtimes. Prepare food for staff meetings, Board meetings, school events, and other gatherings as needed. Contribute to the broader life and community of Leila Day. Required Qualifications At least three years of experience in a professional kitchen or similar food-service position. Associate's degree in culinary arts or equivalent culinary training and experience. Current ServSafe certification. Demonstrated skill and experience as a cook. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment. Ability to work independently and take ownership of a one-person kitchen operation. Commitment to preparing delicious, nutritious food for young children. Comfort working in a school environment with young children and educators. A warm, collaborative, and community-minded approach. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in a school, preschool, childcare center, camp, or other setting serving children. Familiarity with CACFP and/or other USDA child nutrition requirements. Experience accommodating food allergies and dietary restrictions. Interest in sustainable food practices, including seasonal cooking, local sourcing, reducing food waste, recycling, and composting. Interest in cooking with children and sharing food knowledge with students, families, and the broader Leila Day community. A creative approach to introducing children to new foods, flavors, and cooking experiences. Benefits & Professional Growth Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including substantive health benefits beginning immediately Holiday and vacation pay Four weeks of paid vacation , aligned with the New Haven Public Schools calendar 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions available after two years of service A supportive, mission-driven school community The opportunity to shape and grow Leila Day's food program How to Apply Please click at this link: https://www.ecejobs.org/jobs/11/182422/?preview=true to submit your resume and cover letter through our online application system. We review applications submitted through the portal on a rolling basis. If you experience technical difficulties with the application, please contact us at . Our Commitment to Inclusion At Leila Day Nursery School, we believe children thrive in communities rooted in belonging, curiosity, dignity, and care. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community that reflects and honors the families and communities we serve. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives who share our commitment to creating a school where every child, family, educator, and staff member feels valued and belongs.

Pay:

$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Food provided Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person