Contracted Meals Chef
Job Title: Contracted Meals Chief
Department: Social Enterprise
Reports to: General Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $57,200
To apply: Visit https://inspirationcorporation.applytojob.com/apply.
OVERVIEW
In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunities through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.
In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals, and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strength-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.
Inspiration Kitchens is a restaurant, catering and foodservice training social enterprise of Inspiration Corporation. The restaurant prepares contemporary American cuisine and is top-rated in the Chicagoland community (4+ stars on Yelp, featured on Check Please!). Inspiration Kitchens’ culinary skills job training program for low-income job seekers equips participants with basic culinary, sanitation and restaurant operations skills and offers participants paid, on-the-job experience.
Proceeds from Inspiration Kitchens’ restaurant and catering help the affiliate nonprofit agency Inspiration Corporation provide social services, employment training and housing to people who are affected by homelessness and poverty.
At Inspiration Corporation, employees embody our mission by demonstrating the following Core Values:
Integrity – We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
Growth – We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
Equity – We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
Resilience – We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
Hospitality – We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.
Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in.
Position Summary
The Contracted Meals Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning; execution of meal preparation, production and packaging; and delivery of up to 1,500 daily meals to the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC). Daily meal production is breakfast, lunch and dinner, on a 7 day-a-week basis, including holidays, and the regular work schedule for this position is Friday through Tuesday.
The position is part of the Restaurant Operations team, which along with the Foodservice Training & Employment team, make up the Inspiration Kitchens Social Enterprise team. The Contracted Meals Manager supervises a team of four part-time staff, collaborates with the Restaurant Chef, Lead Chef Instructor and Kitchen Training Specialist to engage students and graduates of the agency’s Foodservice Training & Employment Program in hands-on training opportunities in the production of contracted meals and contributes to achieving the goals of Inspiration Kitchens. The position serves on the agency’s Leadership Team and reports to the General Manager.
Key Responsibilities
General
Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s core values.
Ensure the efficient and effective provision of services with dignity and respect in accordance with the agency’s mission.
Uphold Policies and Procedures of Inspiration Corporation and Inspiration Kitchens.
Work with all departments as appropriate to ensure that the needs of the agency’s participants, programming, and operations are addressed.
Attend department, cross-department, and agency meetings and training. Serve on the agency’s Leadership Team.
Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager or Manager on Duty.
Contracted Meal Production & Performance:
Serve as the primary point of contact for the contractor and work with the General Manager to ensure adherence to contract terms and service level agreements.
Prepare and oversee the production of daily meals for 200-400 people; during extreme weather alerts, contractor may request additional meals to meet increased needs beyond 400 people; ensure quality standards for all meals.
Coordinate with Cafe Kitchen Manager to utilize recovered food in the production of contracted meals.
Support agency’s food recovery efforts which include: organizing recovered food from partners to ensure proper storage, rotation, freshness, food safety and efficient utilization by the agency’s programs and social enterprise; recording weights and types of donated goods to maintain accurate donation data; maintaining basic inventory and distribution logs for accurate reporting, internally and with food recovery partners and assisting with communication and logistics related to pickups and drop offs with food recovery partners.
Coordinate and oversee daily meal deliveries to the contractor, ensuring timely arrival and proper handling; promptly notify the contractor if meal delivery will be outside the agreed upon delivery time periods and provide estimated time of delivery.
Develop, manage and communicate efficient bi-weekly schedules for meal transport and delivery routes to contracted meals team, Restaurant Chef and Lead Chef Instructor.
Ensure the labeling of each prepared meal container to be delivered to contractor contains the following information: description of food; date of production; portion size, such as ounces, cups or individual pieces, and number of portions and instructions with respect to maintaining the food in a safe manner.
As requested by contractor, order and purchase cases of bottled water, instant coffee, plates, cups with lids, plastic cutlery with napkins, shelf stable snacks and other items for consuming meals, snacks and beverages for delivery to contractor’s loading dock; monitor and maintain adequate supply level needed by contractor.
Monitor meal quality, presentation, portion control, and dietary compliance, conducting regular inspections of the food and soliciting feedback from the contractor.
Maintain weekly meal schedule; prepare and communicate bi-weekly meal production schedule and clean-up to contracted meals team, Restaurant Chef and Lead Chef Instructor to ensure contracted meals are produced and delivered on-time and supported when needed.
Monitor and manage key performance metrics, including daily food and supplies cost per person, on-time meal production and delivery, food waste, and full compliance with all health and safety standards.
Maintain and ensure food safety and sanitation standards are followed in compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding safe and sanitary preparation, production, storage, packaging, handling and delivery of food and beverages.
Address and resolve any issues or discrepancies with the contractor promptly and effectively.
Participate in at least quarterly meetings with the General Manager and the contractor to review performance, address concerns, and plan for future needs.
Team Leadership & Supervision:
Recruit, hire, train, and supervise contracted meals team members regarding production, quality and food safety and sanitation; ensure entire team is trained and able to execute meal preparation and delivery; provide clear direction, support, and performance feedback to the team.
Ensure individual and team performance meet contracted meals objectives and contractor’s expectations; plan and lead daily team briefings and ensure daily team briefings occur when absent.
Collaborate and coordinate with General Manager, Restaurant Chef and Lead Chef Instructor to ensure meal production and delivery schedule with adequate staffing is executed, including when absent.
Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
Operational Excellence:
Maintain accurate records related to meal counts, deliveries, inventory of any on-site supplies, and incident reports.
Manage any on-site meal preparation or finishing equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and cleanliness.
Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and service quality.
Manage budget for operational food, supplies, and minor equipment needs; oversee food inventory and labor expenses to ensure daily meal costs per person remain within budget.
Qualifications
Experience/ Skills/ Attributes
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in food service management, catering management, or a similar role, with demonstrated experience managing external vendors/contracts.
Proven experience in staff scheduling and logistical coordination, preferably in a high-volume setting.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and scheduling software.
Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to issue resolution.
Obtaining and maintaining a valid State of Illinois Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certification and City of Chicago Food Safety Manager Certification required (Inspiration Corporation will cover costs of training and licensing).
Highly reliable and dependable, consistently available to work a full 40-hour week, with a regular schedule from Friday through Tuesday.
Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to quality and client satisfaction.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
A positive attitude and strong customer service orientation are important.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts for menu planning.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is regularly required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50-60 pounds.
Work Environment & Schedule
This is a full-time position, requiring 40 hours per week.
While this position is a 5-day work week, flexibility in specific workdays is essential due to operational demands.
Hours will typically cover critical delivery and meal service periods (breakfast, lunch, and dinner coordination).
The role involves a mix of administrative tasks and on-site oversight of meal operations, including meal preparation and delivery.
Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.