Kitchen Coordinator

Job DetailsJob Location: St Michael , MN 55376Salary Range: $18.00 - $20.00 HourlyKitchen Coordinator Position Summary New Creations is seeking a dependable, organized, and health-conscious Kitchen Coordinator at our St. Michael to oversee the planning, preparation, and delivery of nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children. The Kitchen Coordinator plays an important role in creating a safe, nurturing environment by ensuring meals meet health, safety, licensing, dietary, and food allergy requirements. This position is responsible for daily kitchen operations, menu coordination, inventory and ordering, food safety, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, dependable, comfortable working independently, and passionate about supporting children's health and well-being through nutritious meals. This position may occasionally be required to work in classroom ratio as needed. We take care of staff: 401(k) matching Childcare discounts Dental insurance Employee discount Team Engagement Activities  Health insurance Bonusly - additional monthly bonuses Paid time off & ESST Professional development assistance Referral program Vision insurance Job Type: Full-time, In person at our St. Michael location  Pay: Starting at $18.00/hour pending experience and education  Schedule: 9 hour shift with one hour unpaid break Day shift- No Nights or Weekends Monday to Friday Key Responsibilities: Licensing & Compliance Maintain all required kitchen licenses and certifications Ensure required licenses and certifications are current and visibly posted in the kitchen. Maintain required food safety and handwashing procedures, including posted bleach solution and handwashing instructions. Follow all applicable childcare, health department, food safety, and licensing regulations. Daily Kitchen Operations Prepare and serve daily meals and snacks for children Follow approved menus, appropriate portion sizes, dietary restrictions, and food allergy protocols. Use meal portion charts and daily classroom child counts to determine appropriate quantities of food and snacks. Set up, deliver, and retrieve food carts from classrooms according to established meal schedules. Fill and distribute spray bottles to classrooms daily and ensure all classroom spray bottles are properly placed within classrooms Dishwashing, kitchen cleanup, stocking, and other general kitchen duties. Inventory & Ordering Manage the weekly grocery list and adjust orders based on current inventory, daily child counts, and required portion sizes. Monitor food and kitchen supply inventory to prevent shortages and minimize waste. Track and communicate supply needs, including plates, cups, utensils, dish soap, and other kitchen supplies, to the Site Director before supplies run out. Work within established food and supply budgets. Menu Planning & Documentation Upload and post current menus to Kindertales, classroom boards, and parent boards. Provide the Site Director with weekly lunch counts. Maintain accurate food service and menu documentation as required. Kitchen & Food Safety Maintain kitchen area to be clean, sanitary, organized, and in accordance with health codes and industry standards. Ensure the kitchen handwashing sink is consistently stocked with soap and paper towels. Store all food containers and packages properly and off the floor. Keep food storage areas, shelves, refrigerators, and freezers clean and organized. Organize and clean the refrigerator and freezer weekly Follow DCYF compliance  Monitor and maintain accurate refrigerator and freezer temperature logs. Ensure thermometers are functioning properly and readily available for monitoring hot and cold food temperatures. Follow safe food handling, preparation, storage, and sanitation practices at all times. Team Support & Collaboration Work collaboratively with teaching staff and the Site Director to meet children's dietary and nutritional needs. Provide basic nutrition guidance to teaching staff when appropriate. Support staff with meals and breaks as directed by the Site Director. Communicate effectively with staff regarding menus, allergies, food needs, and meal schedules. Attend staff meetings and required training sessions. Contribute to a positive, safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for children and staff. Assist in classroom ratio when needed. Why Join New Creations? The Kitchen Coordinator is an essential part of our childcare team. By providing nutritious meals, maintaining high food safety standards, and supporting the dietary needs of every child, this position directly contributes to the health, safety, and well-being of the children in our care. If you are organized, dependable, and passionate about providing healthy meals in a childcare environment, we would love to hear from you! QualificationsEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or GED Valid ServSafe and State of Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager License preferred but may be required if needed. Demonstrates qualities of a team player, including genuine concern for others, excellent listening, and problem-solving capabilities. Presents concerns in a thoughtful, balanced manner, compromises and/or in group situations seeks consensus when appropriate. State of Minnesota background check and fingerprints shall determine that the applicant has not been “convicted of a felony... has no criminal record that the commissioner reasonably believes renders the person unsuitable to be employed in a childcare center.” Certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid & CPR completed within 30 days of employment. Complete all training requirements under DCYF standards  PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS With or without reasonable accommodation, this position requires: Extensive standing and walking; sitting on the floor and on low (12”) chairs. Frequent bending, stooping, and kneeling. Lifting and carrying children extensively in the infant/toddler program; less frequently in the preschool program, but the children are heavier. Lifting, unloading, and carrying food Frequent moving of equipment (cots, tables, etc.). Pushing children in buggies, strollers, and walking for considerable periods. The necessity of being outdoors in varying weather conditions. Exposure to unpleasant odors and fluids caused by vomit (occasional) and bodily elimination. Relatively frequent exposure to loud noises (baby crying, toys falling, and other common occurrences of children at play). Ability to follow oral and written instructions Ability to work on your feet for long periods of time Ability to lift up to 50lbs on a daily basis Reliable and consistent.