Early Childhood - Food Service Coordinator

Summary

Master’s Garden Preschool is seeking a Food Service Coordinator/Cook to support the vision and leadership of the preschool through an active, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and strong culinary and organizational skills. This position is responsible for preparing and coordinating meals and snacks that meet the needs of children and staff while helping maintain a safe, sanitary, and well-organized kitchen. This role also includes responsibilities related to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), including meal planning support, recordkeeping, and helping ensure compliance with program requirements. This position offers the opportunity to cultivate relationships, serve children and families, and use your gifts and talents for God’s glory as part of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and Master's Garden Preschool family.

Duties

• Recognize the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their child’s education and assist them in that task
• Demonstrate to families and staff a commitment to Christ and a desire to live under His Lordship
• Lead the preparation, handling, and distribution of food for the preschool
• Use quality food production techniques to prepare appealing, nutritious, and age-appropriate meals and snacks
• Use standardized recipes and follow assigned schedules and guidelines in order to promote healthy eating
• Prepare weekly menus according to nutrition guidelines and CACFP requirements
• Help ensure meals and snacks meet CACFP meal pattern requirements and portion guidelines
• Maintain accurate meal counts and required CACFP records, including menus, substitutions, and supporting documentation
• Assist with preparation for CACFP reviews, monitoring visits, and audits
• Monitor inventory levels of food items and service supplies and order in a timely and efficient manner while observing budgetary guidelines
• Receive, organize, and properly store food and supplies
• Maintain organized storage areas at all times
• Ensure high standards of hygiene and safety are maintained at all times according to Orange County Health Department and North Carolina regulations
• Maintain sanitary, safe, and orderly conditions in the kitchen, food preparation areas, and storage areas
• Follow all health, sanitation, food safety, licensing, and preschool requirements
• Ensure that any information received concerning children is kept confidential at all times
• Attend staff meetings and training opportunities as requested, including CACFP-related training
• Be flexible with the working practices of the preschool
• Be prepared to assist in other areas of the preschool, as needed, under the direction of the Preschool Director
• Provide first aid to children according to established procedures
• Perform job functions in a productive, efficient, and dependable manner
• Arrive to work on time and consistently observe the established work schedule
• Work cooperatively with the Director, staff, CACFP sponsor, MGP Board of Directors, and all state and local requirement regulators ((e.g. licensing, health, safety, fire, sanitation, etc.) to support successful food service operations

Requirements

• Profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and desire to live under His Lordship through active membership in a local body of believers doctrinally consistent with Ebenezer Baptist Church
• Clear calling and passion to serve preschool-age children and their families, grounded in a love for Jesus Christ
• Willingness to work within the organizational guidelines of Ebenezer Baptist Church and support the mission and values of Master’s Garden Preschool
• Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school or higher
• CPR and First Aid training
• Sanitation credentials preferred
• Experience in food service preferred, especially in child care or an institutional setting; training may be available
• Excellent communication skills for interpersonal and electronic communication
• Knowledge, understanding, and ability to adhere to all state and local requirements and regulations, including licensing, health, safety, fire, sanitation, and CACFP requirements
• Exhibit spiritual leadership and high regard for integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism
• Ability and desire to work in a team-oriented environment in a supportive, transparent, and solution-driven manner
• Understanding of sanitation and safety practices related to preparing, handling, and serving food
• Understanding of general principles of nutrition
• Basic math skills for measuring, portioning, inventory, and recordkeeping
• Ability to maintain proper inventory practices and procedures
• Ability to maintain accurate records and complete required documentation
• Ability to manage conflict resolution with a Christ-like attitude
• Ability to lift and carry food and kitchen supplies and perform regular kitchen tasks
• Must clear a full background check and pass the required health screening

Nice To Haves

• Experience in food service, especially in a preschool, child care, school, or similar setting
• Familiarity with CACFP requirements and recordkeeping
• Sanitation or food safety credentials
• Experience planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks for young children
• Ability to stay organized, manage inventory well, and work within a budget
• A flexible, servant-hearted attitude and willingness to support the needs of the preschool team

Benefits

BENEFITS:

• Competitive compensation (actual compensation depends on education/experience)
• Professional development assistance
• Close community makes this a special place to work, serve, and grow
• Paid holidays and Paid-Time-Off after 90-day probationary period
• All positions start with a 90-day probationary period

About Us

Master's Garden Preschool is a ministry of Ebenezer Baptist Church. We believe that every child is a gift from God. Our mission is to provide a healthy and affordable program that is designed to meet the social, emotional, spiritual, educational, and physical needs of each child.