Chef Manager

About Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

Founded in 1894, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is a premier human services provider on the East Side of Manhattan. We serve 16,000 individuals annually, ranging in age from 3 to 103, including older adults, unhoused and formerly unhoused adults, children and families, disabled persons, and adult learners. Our integrated services span social, educational, health, housing, mental health, nutritional, and fitness programs designed to significantly improve lives.

We are the leader in New York’s nonprofit farm-to-institution movement, serving 250,000 healthy, delicious, and culturally responsive meals each year. Through our diverse human services programs, we aim to improve the health of individuals dependent on government-funded meals by increasing access to fresh, healthy food, localizing institutional food systems to strengthen regional farms and economies, and improving environmental sustainability.

About the Role

We are seeking an innovative, ambitious, and mission-driven Chef Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Chef & Director of Culinary Programs, you will work closely with the Food Services, The Teaching Kitchen®, and Facilities Teams to enhance our daily food operations and refine our farm-to-institution food service model.

This role is central to our mission of food equity and social justice. You will help lead the expansion of community meal outreach initiatives and support the Teaching Kitchen’s goal of training other nonprofits to transform their food service programs to a farm-to-institution model without raising costs. In this capacity, you will manage the institutional kitchen, develop scalable, culturally responsive recipes, and ensure compliance with all nutrition and government requirements while fostering a collaborative, high-volume kitchen environment.

Our Culture and Values

At Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, we value respect, diversity, and integrity. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to affording equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We conform to the spirit and letter of all applicable laws and regulations regarding anti-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.

Application Process

All individuals, as a condition for employment, are required to undergo a pre-employment background check. Certain positions require more extensive background checks to comply with applicable laws. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our official channels to join our team in making a tangible difference in our community.

Work location

Work model: On-site

175, East 73rd Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan Community Board 8, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10021, United States

New York, New York

Key Responsibilities

check_circleOversee management and operations of the institutional kitchen and program menus
check_circleLead and manage Sous Chefs and Food Services Team including hiring and training
check_circleCollaborate to develop and test culturally responsive, farm-to-institution recipes
check_circleSupport community meal outreach by coordinating production and distribution logistics
check_circleUtilize technology to track food costs, inventory, and production quantities
check_circleNegotiate vendor prices and develop relationships with new sourcing opportunities
check_circleFacilitate team training, facility self-inspections, and venue inventory management
check_circleLead the improvement of kitchen standard operating procedures for production and sanitation
check_circleCommunicate effectively with Program Leads to ensure streamlined menu and meal service

Requirements

verifiedBachelor's degree
verified5+ years of culinary, food production, or restaurant management experience
verifiedFood Protection Certificate from the New York City Department of Health
verifiedComputer literacy including Excel and relevant culinary or food service software
verifiedBilingual in English and Spanish preferred
verifiedExperience with DFTA and CACFP programs strongly preferred

Nice to Have

Experience working with programs such as DFTA (Department for the Aging) and CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program). Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Benefits & Perks

check_circleComprehensive health insurance choices for staff and their familiescheck_circleExtensive paid time off including 25 days vacation, 12 holidays, and sick timecheck_circleMatching contributions to Retirement Plancheck_circlePaid parental leave policy for all staffFree Life Insurance coverage equal to 3x annual salary

Skills, education and keywords

Skills: Excel, Food Service Software, Food Protection Certificate, Dfta, Cacfp, Spanish.

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Frequently asked questions about Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

What does a Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House do?expand_more

A Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is responsible for the following: Oversee management and operations of the institutional kitchen and program menus; Lead and manage Sous Chefs and Food Services Team including hiring and training; Collaborate to develop and test culturally responsive, farm-to-institution recipes; and Support community meal outreach by coordinating production and distribution logistics.

What are the requirements for this Chef Manager role?expand_more

To qualify for the Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House position, applicants should have: Bachelor's degree; 5+ years of culinary, food production, or restaurant management experience; Food Protection Certificate from the New York City Department of Health; Computer literacy including Excel and relevant culinary or food service software; Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred; and Experience with DFTA and CACFP programs strongly preferred.

Where is the Chef Manager role at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House located?expand_more

Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is based in 175, East 73rd Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan Community Board 8, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10021, United States. This is a on-site role.

Is this Chef Manager job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House has listed this Chef Manager role as on-site.

How much experience is required for this Chef Manager role?expand_more

Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience at the senior level.

What skills do you need for the Chef Manager role at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House?expand_more

Key skills for Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House include Excel; Food Service Software; Food Protection Certificate; Dfta; Cacfp; and Spanish.

What education is required for Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House?expand_more

Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree required.

What category does the Chef Manager role belong to?expand_more

Chef Manager at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is part of the hospitality & catering job category on Recrutus.