Summer Camp Kitchen Manager

Position: Kitchen Manager

Classification: Seasonal

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Summary:

The Kitchen Manager directs the overall food-service operation of the camp including purchasing, preparation, nutrition, service, sanitation, security, personnel management, customer service, and record keeping. In keeping with Wanakee’s Christian mission, they work to cultivate a staff culture of service and generosity. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the daily operations of the camp food and dining service including coordinating activities between the kitchen and dining room.  
  • Oversee the planning and preparation of nutritionally balanced camp meals, snacks, and cook-out/pack-out food for 50-100 campers and staff each week.  
  • Ensure the service of camp meals by directing the work of other employees.  
  • Ensure safe and efficient preparation and serving of camp meals.  
  • Coordinate menu planning for user groups as directed. 
• Oversee the inventory and ordering of food, equipment, and supplies and arrange for the routine maintenance, sanitation, and upkeep of the camp kitchen, its equipment, and facilities.  
  • Maintain inventory of food and service supplies.  
  • Order food and kitchen supplies consistent with menus and enrollment counts (with support of the Executive Director) from USFoods, NHFoodbank, and/or Market Basket. 
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and safety.  
  • Clean and maintain all food-service areas: kitchen, dining hall, storage, recycling, etc..  
  • Inspect and maintain equipment to ensure cleanliness, sanitation, and safety. 
  • Promote practices that seek to reduce cost, eliminate waste, reuse items, and recycle as much as possible. 
• Manage, supervise, train, and empower up to three kitchen staff members. 
  • Monitor employee performance and training.  
  • Plan, coordinate, schedule, and supervise the work of other food service staff. 
• Create and foster an atmosphere of extravagant welcome for campers, staff, volunteers, and guests at all meals.

Other Job Duties:

• Collaborate with Summer Staff to coordinate pack-outs, special events, and dining hall programs.  
• Communicate effectively with Directors regarding appliance and facility issues.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Experience in institutional or large food service settings.  
• Knowledge of and experience in food service: ordering, inventory, budgeting, food preparation, family-style serving, buffet serving, cleaning, and institutional kitchen equipment.  
• Must hold current ServSafe certification or licensure for operating a kitchen in New Hampshire.  
• Ability to work within a budget and purchase supplies efficiently.  
• Experience in supervision.
• Knowledge of current health and safety laws and practices is essential.  
• Knowledge of and experience in preparation of special dietary foods.

Physical Aspects of the Position:

• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.  
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to hazards related to activities, site and facilities, and camper and staff behavior.  
• Physical mobility and endurance to perform tasks while standing/walking for long periods of time (60 minutes or more) in a high heat environment.  
• Ability to safely and properly use kitchen equipment.  
• Ability to provide first aid and to assist campers and staff in an emergency
• Some physical requirements of this position could be endurance including climbing, standing, swimming, some bending, stooping, and stretching. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary: $10,000 (Note: For international staff, this amount may be adjusted for applicable visa or agency fees.)

Room and board provided for the duration of the seasonal contract. 

About Wanakee: 

Wanakee is a traditional Christian summer camp and year-round retreat center, owned and operated by the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our camp and retreat programming focuses on building loving relationships and communities of radical acceptance. Find us at www.wanakee.org or on most social media outlets @wanakeenh.