Kitchen Supervisor

About Company:

At Fair Oaks Farms, we provide an immersive experience where guests come to explore family-owned farms and reconnect with nature, animals, and our planet. Recognized as the #1 agritourism destination in the Midwest, we provide an escape to the country with acres of great fun, fresh food, and learning for the entire family. Our scenic campus includes a variety of offerings, enrichment programs, tours, and a connection to the community where our guests can learn about our animals, farming practices, and nutrition. We offer multiple elegant event spaces that accommodate everything from conferences to weddings and concerts. We delight our guests with our kitchen's mouth-watering farm-to-table food and provide relaxing accommodations with our on-site hotel. But our greatest strength is our founder-led team. It is the passion, entrepreneurial mindset, and hard work of over 300 dedicated team members that make a difference in the lives of our guests. Working together as a family, our team brings forth the enthusiasm, creativity, and collaboration to provide an exceptional agritourism experience for our guests and fulfill our vision to feed the world's heart, mind, and body.

About the Role:

The Kitchen Supervisor plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the kitchen within a food service establishment. This position is responsible for overseeing daily kitchen activities, managing kitchen staff, and maintaining high standards of food quality, safety, and hygiene. The Kitchen Supervisor coordinates with chefs, cooks, and other kitchen personnel to ensure timely preparation and delivery of meals that meet the establishment's standards. Additionally, this role involves inventory management, ordering supplies, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Ultimately, the Kitchen Supervisor contributes to creating a positive work environment that fosters teamwork, productivity, and excellent customer satisfaction.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience working in a professional kitchen environment.
• Prior experience in a supervisory or leadership role within a kitchen setting.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and sanitation regulations.
• Food Handler or safety certification (e.g., ServSafe certification).
• Strong communication, team management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree or certification in culinary arts or hospitality management.
• Experience with inventory management and cost control in a food service environment.
• Strong familiarity with various cooking techniques and kitchen equipment.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
• First aid and CPR certification.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise, mentor, and schedule kitchen staff (Cooks, Prep Cooks, Dishwasher, etc.)
• Oversee daily culinary operations, ensuring high quality food production, strict food safety compliance (HACCP) and efficient staff management.
• Oversee daily food prep, maintaining recipe standards, and ensuring timely service.
• Monitor food quality to maintain consistency and adherence to established standards.
• Monitor food presentation and taste and addressing customer service issues regarding all aspects of food preparation.
• Responsible for training staff, managing inventory & ordering, enforcing portion controls, and maintaining sanitation standards.
• Ensure & enforce health department regulations for all aspects of kitchen operation to include cleanliness, food storage, and proper rotation.
• Track & manage inventory levels, order supplies, and control food costs to optimize kitchen operations and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with management to plan menus, special events, and accommodate dietary restrictions or special requests.
• Address and resolve any kitchen-related issues or conflicts promptly to maintain a positive work environment.

Skills:

The Kitchen Supervisor utilizes strong leadership and communication skills daily to effectively manage and motivate kitchen staff, ensuring clear instructions and feedback are provided. Knowledge of inventory management, recipe standardization, and cooking techniques. Organizational skills are essential for coordinating kitchen operations, managing inventory, and maintaining compliance with health and safety standards. Problem-solving abilities are frequently applied to address operational challenges, resolve conflicts, and adapt to changing demands during service hours. Knowledge of culinary techniques and food safety practices is critical to oversee food preparation and maintain quality standards. Additionally, time management skills enable the Kitchen Supervisor to prioritize tasks efficiently, ensuring timely meal production and smooth kitchen workflow.