Elementary Kitchen Manager - Harwood Elementary

West Fargo Public Schools is a prominent educational institution dedicated to providing a high-quality learning environment for students in the West Fargo community. Known for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, the district fosters a supportive and safe atmosphere for both employees and learners alike. The district emphasizes providing exceptional educational and extracurricular programs while ensuring all staff members are treated with respect and encouraged to grow professionally. Their food service department plays a vital role in supporting student health and wellness by ensuring nutritious meals are accessible daily across all schools within the district, including Harwood Elementary School.

The Elementary Kitchen Manager position at Harwood Elementary School is crucial in ensuring that the school's food service operations run smoothly and efficiently. This is a full-time, ongoing 182-day position starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The manager will report to the Kitchen Manager assigned to the location and will work a Monday through Friday schedule. The salary range for this position starts at $20.25 and can go up to $22.65 per hour depending on the candidate's level of experience, following the classified salary schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.

The core responsibility of the Elementary Kitchen Manager involves overseeing the preparation and service of meals to students and staff to meet established food standards, safety guidelines, and customer service expectations. The manager provides leadership, support, and guidance to food service employees, ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently and in compliance with district policies. Responsibilities also include managing inventory levels, submitting food and supply orders weekly, and ensuring food rotation by conducting weekly inventories of freezers, coolers, and storage areas. The candidate will maintain accurate production records and supervise kitchen staff activities focusing on safety, sanitation, portion control, and quality assurance.

Effective communication is a key component of the role, requiring the manager to maintain open and effective communication with building administrators and food service staff. The manager will also be responsible for evaluating food service workers’ performance and providing ongoing training and daily direction to improve the team’s capabilities. The position demands strong leadership skills, compassion, creativity, critical thinking, and resilience to handle the unique challenges of working in a fast-paced school environment.

Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 30 pounds, working in environments with moderate to loud noise levels and exposure to hot or cold items, and handling chemical compounds or sharp edges safely. The Elementary Kitchen Manager must have a high school diploma or GED, a minimum of three years’ experience in large quantity food preparation, basic computational skills, and preferably experience working in a school setting. Completing a food safety training course within six months of hire is required. The candidate must be able to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions in English and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

West Fargo Public Schools is strongly committed to maintaining a discrimination-free and harassment-free workplace, honoring all applicants' diverse backgrounds, ancestry, and protected statuses. Veterans are encouraged to apply, with preference given to those who provide proof of eligibility. This role presents a wonderful opportunity to join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to fostering the well-being and nourishment of students in the district.