Harlem Children's Zone

Breaks poverty cycle through on-the-ground programs

Kitchen Manager

Food & Beverage Operations ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeNew York, NY, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A minimum of three years of high-volume cooking experience and two years of kitchen management experience leading a staff of eight or more is required.
A valid New York City Department of Health Food Protection Certificate is required.
A high school diploma or GED is required.
The candidate must be able to cook a wide variety of foods.
The candidate must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate with individuals at all levels of the corporation.
The candidate must be able to stay organized in a changing environment and maintain a calm, professional demeanor during uncertainty or crisis.
The candidate must be able to stand for extended periods and lift 40 pounds.
The candidate must be able to work with frequent exposure to climate change.
The candidate must conduct themselves professionally and set the standard for all team members.
The candidate must understand and communicate the Harlem Children's Zone mission and core values.
The candidate must express ideas and convey information clearly, effectively, and professionally.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily cooking and food preparation according to recipes and production guidelines while following food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures.
Oversee or delegate responsibilities within the culinary operation.
Train and educate new team members on Harlem Children's Zone culture, philosophies, standards, and operations.
Create a guest experience that encourages guests to return.
Manage team members under the Kitchen Manager's supervision, including counseling, disciplining, and scheduling them.
Place kitchen-related orders.
Maintain clean and safe working conditions in the kitchen.
Control costs by continually training and educating team members.
Attend weekly management meetings and host daily team meetings.
Build teamwork among team members and fellow managers.
Create a fun and energetic environment.

Desired Qualifications

Formal culinary training degree or certification is preferred.

Kitchen Manager

Harlem Children's Zone · New York, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-19

Salary: USD 55,000–61,000

Workplace: on_site

Department: Kitchen

Description

Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) — a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York — seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Kitchen Manager with the Promise Academy Kitchen Department.

The Kitchen Manager (Lead Cook) will bring a passion for the mission of Harlem Children’s Zone: break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds up opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.

The Kitchen Manager at the Harlem Children’s Zone is a supervisor role overseeing the culinary team. Responsible for overseeing daily cooking and food preparation according to recipes and production guidelines; while adhering to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures. The Kitchen Manager will be responsible for oversight or delegation of responsibilities within the culinary operation.

For more information, check out Want to Work at Harlem Children’s Zone? Here’s 7 Things You Need to Know.

Requirements

Minimum three years of high-volume cooking experience and two years of kitchen management experience leading a staff of 8 or more
Valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate
High School Diploma or GED
Ability to cook a wide variety of foods

Who You Are

Formal culinary training degree or certification preferred
Strong communication skills verbal and written
Strong interpersonal skills
Able to communicate with individuals at all levels of the corporation
Ability to be organized in a changing environment
Ability to maintain a calm professional demeanor during periods of uncertainty or crisis
Holds a valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate
Stand for extended periods
Ability to lift 40 pounds
Frequent exposure to climate change
Serves great food with great service and a great attitude
Projects and assignments are completed thoroughly, professionally, and with care promptly
Adjusts to high-pressure situations and is open to change
Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development
Always conducts themselves (acts & dresses) professionally while setting the standard for all Team Members
Understands and communicates the HCZ Mission and Core Values
Expresses ideas and conveys information clearly, effectively, and professionally

What You'll Do

Trains and educates new Team Members on HCZs culture, philosophies, standards, and operations.
Creates an experience that every guest will seek to repeat.
Manages all Team Members under their supervision, including counseling, disciplining, and scheduling.
Responsible for placing orders pertaining to the kitchen.
Maintains clean and safe working conditions in the kitchen.
Controls cost by constantly training and educating Team Members.
Attends weekly management meetings and hosts daily team meetings.
Builds teamwork among Team Members and fellow Managers.
Creates a fun and energetic environment.

Schedule

Monday-Friday
Time: 6:30 AM- 2:30 PM

Benefits

As a member of the Harlem Children's Zone team, you will join a supportive and inclusive community dedicated to helping children, families — and our staff — thrive. We offer highly competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for growth.

Our exceptional full-time benefits include:

Highly competitive base salaries
Paid time off
Employee referral bonus
Career Advancement
No-cost health insurance
Life Insurance
Short-and long-term disability
Additional voluntary benefits
Wellness discounts
Commuter benefits
Financial wellness perks
Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$61,000 per year. To be considered, interested applicants should apply directly through the posting. No telephone inquiries or recruiters, please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. Harlem Children's Zone is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

INDPSJ

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About the Company

Harlem Children's Zone

Breaks poverty cycle through on-the-ground programs

Harlem Children’s Zone coordinates a place-based set of programs across early childhood through adulthood in Harlem to help children and families thrive. It operates directly through schools, community centers, and outreach to deliver education, career pathways, health and wellness, and family supports. Programs are integrated, meaning services at different stages coordinate for each family, rather than one-off initiatives. This approach distinguishes HCZ from peers by offering a wraparound, long-term support system in a single community, focusing on mobility and prosperity rather than only schooling. The goal is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by creating opportunities in education, work, and life for residents of Harlem.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Founded: 1970

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