Kitchen Manager

Organization Description

Big Big Table Community Café (BBT) is a non-profit community café—a pay-as-you-can lunchtime restaurant, focused on addressing hunger, reducing food waste, and building community. Our motto is: "Everybody eats. Everybody gives. Everybody matters."
Our mission is to provide a dignified response to hunger in our community, providing Buffalo with accessible and affordable nutritious meals, regardless of ability to pay.
With pay-as-you-can pricing and a significant volunteer component in day-to-day operations, everyone is given a chance to earn what they need by giving what they can.

Role Description

The Kitchen Manager plays a central role in fulfilling Big Big Table's mission: Everybody Eats, Everybody Gives, Everybody Matters. This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about people, hospitality, and culinary excellence, who sees food as a tool for improving their community through ensuring food security for all. This individual will oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including responsibility for menu planning, food quality, daily opening and closing procedures, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and collaborating with staff, volunteers, and community partners. The Kitchen Manager ensures the quality of food meets BBT's high standards, maintaining compliance with local hygiene and safety regulations. They will help lead a dynamic kitchen that balances professionalism with inclusivity and resourcefulness with joy.

This role also supports broader leadership functions within the café. The Kitchen Manager will assist the Executive Team with staff and financial management, help supervise and train kitchen volunteers and interns, and coordinate with the Volunteer & Communications Manager to delegate tasks and resolve day-to-day kitchen issues. They will build and maintain relationships with food donors, local farms, suppliers, and other community partners, and will actively incorporate donated ingredients and rescued in-season produce into daily menus. Creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are all essential to success in this role.

Qualifications

● At least 4 years of experience as a Chef, Kitchen Manager, or equivalent

● ServSafe Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)

● Experience leading or mentoring kitchen staff, especially volunteers

● Effective time and task management skills, for oneself and others

● Strong communication, organizational skills, and establishing relationships with guests/ partners.

● Familiarity with trauma-informed care, mental health first aid, and harm reduction is a plus

● Comfort using Microsoft Word and Excel

● Commitment to uphold Big Big Table's mission and values

● Demonstrate personal integrity and responsibility

● Demonstrate awareness of sensitivity to vulnerable populations, housing insecurity, substance abuse, and health disparities that impact BIPOC communities at a disproportionate rate.

For further details, please visit our website