Kitchen Manager

The Salvation Army is an established charitable organization known worldwide for its commitment to helping vulnerable populations, providing shelter, food, and vital services to those in need. With a strong presence in Colorado, the organization operates a kitchen that serves between 200-300 meals daily to a variety of community members including shelter residents, veterans residing on campus, and the general public. The Colorado Kitchen is a key service hub that embodies the Salvation Army’s mission of compassion, service, and community support. This role is embedded within a nonprofit environment focused on impactful service, community collaboration, and sustainability of critical resources for those facing food insecurity.

The Kitchen Manager position is a full-time, exempt role that requires overseeing all aspects of kitchen operations for the Colorado facility. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, this position is responsible for managing staff including a full-time lead cook and part-time cooks. The Kitchen Manager’s leadership directly influences meal service quality, compliance with health and safety standards, volunteer coordination, and efficient operation within budget constraints. This role commands a salary range of $58,000 to $62,000 annually, reflecting its significant management responsibilities and specialized skills in food service within a structured nonprofit setting.

Beyond day-to-day food preparation, the Kitchen Manager plays a critical role in community engagement, securing donations, and fostering partnerships that enhance the kitchen’s capabilities. The position involves menu development tailored to the needs of diverse populations, with careful attention to nutrition and cost-effectiveness under the USDA Food Program guidelines. Managing purchasing, inventory, and vendor relations requires strong negotiation and organizational skills to ensure the kitchen operates smoothly while maximizing resources.

Key responsibilities include supervising and training a team of staff and volunteers, facilitating compliance with health codes and Salvation Army policies, maintaining kitchen equipment and food safety licenses, and supporting operational events such as holiday meal services and emergency disaster responses. The Kitchen Manager also collaborates closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to track volunteer hours and paperwork, ensuring regulatory compliance and program efficiency.

Candidates for this role must bring a combination of supervisory experience, knowledge in institutional food service, budgeting, and programming relevant to a nonprofit or shelter kitchen setting. The position requires strong communication and leadership abilities, a commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army, proficiency in managing diverse populations with compassion, and the physical capacity to perform kitchen tasks including lifting. The successful applicant must also hold a valid food handler’s card and a driver’s license, meeting health department standards and organizational policies.

Working at The Salvation Army offers robust benefits including health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance, sick and vacation leave, pension plans, and voluntary tax-deferred annuity plans, providing stability and support for full-time employees. The organization values dedication, professionalism, and a heartfelt commitment to its humanitarian goals, making this Kitchen Manager position an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about leading impactful food service operations within a respected nonprofit framework.