Kitchen Manager - Newman Elementary School

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and friendly Kitchen Manager to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. 

Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,700 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here. 

Date Available 

August 2025

Schedule and Hours 

Full time, 10 month work year

Monday - Friday 

6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Location 

Newman Elementary School

Salary and Benefits

Elementary Manager Classification. Please review the Unit E-Contract and MOA for the current salary scale. Visit the Benefits Page for information regarding benefits, payroll, and retirement. 

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, the Kitchen Manager plans, supervises, and assists in the daily production and preparation of all meals and a la carte items. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, inventory control, supplies ordering and receiving, record keeping, supervising and managing cafeteria staff. Demonstrates leadership and initiative in all tasks assigned. The Kitchen Manager is responsible for producing and serving appetizing, nutritious, appealing foods to students and staff. The Kitchen Manager works closely with department leadership to control expenses and to produce the revenue necessary to maintain financial solvency. The Kitchen Manager provides orientation and training to all on-site cafeteria staff members. The Kitchen Manager communicates effectively with cafeteria staff members, students, parents, school faculty and administrators. They will display and maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity in the performance of duties. The Kitchen Manager accomplishes all tasks and duties in a timely manner and consistently promotes excellent customer service. The Kitchen Manager is responsible for evaluating all on-site cafeteria staff members. 

Essential Functions, Skills, and Abilities

• Performs multiple simultaneous tasks under time constraints and deadlines.
• Performs basic and accurate mathematical calculations necessary to modify recipes, order food and supplies, make menu forecasts, prepare food production records, prepare food in accurate quantities, operate the cash register, keep accurate records of income, expense, and participation.
• Ability to prepare recipes “from scratch” as well as follow standardized recipes.
• Plan, prepare and serve meals, and clean all surface areas and equipment according to the serving schedule and according to the Nutrition Services Department Standard Operating Procedures, Needham Board of Health, and Massachusetts Restaurant Association standards for taste, quality, and sanitation.
• Strong proficiency in speaking and writing in English.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with students, staff, families, and colleagues.
• Responsible for counting and reconciling cash receipts and meal payments received each day and securely delivering all monies and payments to the Nutrition Services department Bookkeeper daily.
• Responsible for receiving deliveries of supplies and inventory, ensuring the accuracy that items received match items ordered. Responsible for providing all receipts and invoices to the Nutrition Services department Bookkeeper daily.
• Safely and appropriately operate all food production equipment.
• Safely tolerates exposure to heat, humidity, steam, cooking odors, refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and use of cleaning solutions for the duration of the work schedule.
• Supervise and manage cafeteria staff assigned to the school site.
• Ability to lift or move, without assistance, items up to and including 50lbs., throughout the duration of the work schedule.
• Proficiency with the use of technology and computers. 
• Ability to manage time effectively to successfully complete and accomplish tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to walk or stand for the duration of the work schedule.
• Ability to follow both written and verbal directions.
• Display a professional and positive attitude.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Culinary training is preferred.
• School Nutrition Association Certification within the first year of employment.
• Sanitation certified with National Restaurant Association within the first six months of employment.
• Minimum of five years work experience in quantity food production.
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated history of punctuality and good attendance.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Commercial, non-air conditioned kitchen environment.
• Extended periods of standing and walking throughout the duration of the work schedule.
• Lift, carry, or move supplies and inventory up to and including 50lbs.

Application Procedure

Please use this link to apply online. 

Applications will be considered only when a cover letter and resume are attached to your online application.

Selection Procedure

All applications and resumes will be reviewed and selected candidates will participate in a thorough interview process. 

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual 

orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools. 

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work, please visit our equity website.