Kitchen and Training Manager

Agate is a nonprofit organization committed to providing safe shelter and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Operating multiple shelters in the Minneapolis area, Agate aims to foster stability and independence among its clients through comprehensive housing programs and employment training opportunities. One of their key facilities is The Valiance, a female-identified shelter located in south Minneapolis that offers up to 54 renewable 30-day shelter beds and 10 emergency overnight beds. The Valiance features a fully equipped commercial kitchen that supports both meal preparation for shelter guests and a specialized employment training initiative known as the Agate SEED Training Program.

The Food Services Training Kitchen Manager role at Agate is a full-time, salaried position with an annual compensation of $60,000. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Housing Programs, this position is essential in connecting food service operations with the employment training program offered to Agate's shelter guests and program participants. The Kitchen Manager will primarily oversee the SEED Training Program, which emphasizes skill building, employment readiness, empowerment, and dedication for participants who are transitioning out of homelessness. The program provides hands-on culinary training, including food safety and preparation skills, to help trainees develop industry-ready competencies, with the potential for paid internships upon program completion.

The Kitchen Manager also plays a critical role in managing the shelter kitchen that prepares meals for residents daily. This involves purchasing and inventory management of supplies, vendor relations, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, meal planning, and coordinating meal services. An important aspect of the role is maintaining a budget to ensure cost-effective use of food and supplies, minimizing waste, and ensuring the nutritional value of meals provided. The Kitchen Manager must work collaboratively with shelter management, program managers, and case managers to identify suitable candidates for the training program and to track participant progress and outcomes.

In addition to administrative responsibilities, the Kitchen Manager will be responsible for supervising and mentoring up to four trainees in the kitchen environment, offering technical training in areas such as knife skills and safe food handling. They are expected to develop individualized goal plans for each trainee, providing ongoing support to help participants meet their employment objectives. Upon program completion, the Kitchen Manager will coordinate certification and assist with job placement, including providing letters of recommendation. This role also requires sensitivity and commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with histories of trauma, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and economic hardship.

Overall, the Food Services Training Kitchen Manager position at Agate represents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by combining food service management with social service and workforce development. It offers a chance to contribute to a compassionate mission while developing a pilot program aiming to prove the effectiveness of targeted employment training within the shelter system. This role requires strong leadership, culinary expertise, program development skills, and a dedication to social justice and community empowerment.