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Cafeteria Assistant Manager - IDEA Mesa Hills (Immediate Opening)

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Hourly
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Compensation

Hourly
Range $16.00 - $20.00
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

paid family leave
Tuition Reimbursement
Employer-paid mental health
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Parenting Benefits
Vacation Time
Referral bonuses
Professional Development
Relocation allowance

Job Description

IDEA Public Schools is a renowned educational organization committed to transforming lives through public education. As a leading network of tuition-free, Pre-K to 12th-grade public charter schools, IDEA Public Schools focus on preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond. Founded with a mission to provide high-quality education and create equal opportunities, IDEA has grown into one of the fastest-growing educational systems in the United States, serving thousands of students across Texas and other states. The organization prides itself on a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging, emphasizing core values that promote human connection and foster a supportive environment for both staff and families. IDEA’s Staff Culture and Belonging Team works diligently to maintain a workplace atmosphere where all team members feel valued and empowered to contribute to the success of each student and the community at large.

The Cafeteria Assistant Manager role at IDEA Public Schools plays a crucial part in supporting the district’s mission to become one of the healthiest school districts in the nation. This position directly assists the Cafeteria Manager in leading the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) team at the campus level. The role upholds the strict food and nutrition standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and relevant state agencies, ensuring that every student is provided with nutritious and appealing meals daily. The role requires managing daily and weekly food and supply orders, closely monitoring food quality and kitchen operations, maintaining sales records, processing payments, performing data entry, providing excellent customer service to parents and students, managing inventory, and collaborating with the Cafeteria Manager to advance the school district’s educational goals known as "College For All." Compensation for this role ranges from $16.00 to $20.00 per hour, based on experience, and is supplemented by performance bonuses. The role is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans along with other benefits outlined by the organization.

This position demands a blend of leadership skills, operational knowledge, and a passion for nutrition and student welfare. The Cafeteria Assistant Manager must be adept at motivating and guiding a team, managing complex food service operations, and ensuring compliance with established safety and sanitation regulations. Strong communication and organizational abilities are essential, alongside proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, to handle data entry and reporting tasks effectively. The role requires managing stress well to meet deadlines and demonstrating problem-solving skills, adaptability, and flexibility in a dynamic school environment. The Cafeteria Assistant Manager fosters a positive and productive workspace by holding regular team meetings (huddles), providing performance feedback, recruiting quality staff, and ensuring the highest standards in meal service and compliance are consistently met.

Overall, the Cafeteria Assistant Manager contributes significantly to IDEA Public Schools’ commitment to student nutrition, health, and academic success. This leadership role offers potential growth opportunities within the organization, including preparation for promotion to Cafeteria Manager. The school district supports its employees through paid family leave, tuition reimbursement, employer-paid mental health services, and additional benefits such as disability and life insurance, vacation time, professional development, and referral bonuses. IDEA Public Schools exemplifies a supportive and innovative educational environment dedicated to the betterment of students and staff alike.

Job Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Minimum 2 years experience in food service, restaurant, or hospitality industry
  • Valid Texas driver’s license
  • Willingness to obtain Food Handler’s Card within 30 days
  • Ability to motivate, delegate, and lead a team
  • Knowledge of food production and management methods
  • Understanding of safety and sanitation practices
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Computer literacy with Microsoft Office Excel
  • Ability to understand and interpret data
  • Good mathematical and finance skills
  • Ability to manage stress and meet deadlines
  • Able to follow verbal and written directions
  • Demonstrates problem solving, adaptability, and flexibility

Job Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Minimum 2 years experience in food service, restaurant, or hospitality industry
  • Leadership experience preferred
  • Valid Texas driver’s license required
  • Valid Food Handler’s Card preferred or willing to obtain within 30 days
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Computer literacy including Microsoft Office Excel
  • Knowledge of food production and management methods
  • Understanding of safety and sanitation practices
  • Ability to interpret data such as charts and graphs
  • Good mathematical and basic finance skills
  • Ability to motivate, delegate, and lead a team

Job Duties

  • Direct the team to execute the approved menu 100 percent every day
  • Ensure every student participating in the meal program takes a reimbursable meal
  • Ensure all methods of counting and claiming are compliant
  • Observe that counting and claiming is happening at time of service
  • Check that all counts of student meals are accurate
  • Enter all counts correctly into internal trackers and PrimeroEdge
  • Recruit top notch food service specialist and substitutes candidates
  • Hold weekly employee huddles covering operations and nutritional matters
  • Review and submit employees timesheets every Tuesday
  • Use Staff Development Cycle to provide formal feedback
  • Develop Cafeteria Assistant Manager for potential promotion
  • Promote FSS with leadership potential for promotion
  • Conduct Breakfast in the Class audits
  • Report recipe/menu errors to Cafeteria Manager immediately
  • Use campus parent functions to promote meal program
  • Identify students bringing lunch from home and report findings
  • Refer to Healthy Kids Here self-assessment checklist
  • Promote consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Rotate milk to ensure freshness
  • Decorate serving line with appealing signage
  • Implement salad bar to College Prep students where approved
  • Follow designated menu every day
  • Follow established food service policies and procedures
  • Track compliance changes and implement
  • Correct non-compliance issues
  • Reach out to HQ CNP for guidance
  • Complete daily food production records
  • Supervise food service specialists and substitutes

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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