Director of Food Services

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of six PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization's impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

DREAM plans to launch an exciting food service program in Fall 2023 at its newest permanent location in the South Bronx. At scale, this program will serve 1,300 students breakfast, lunch and likely dinner almost 365 days a year, along with curated food programs for DREAM Legends, families and other members of the community. It will be the central hub to DREAM's food and wellness programs, as well as the main culinary event space for a multitude of high-profile external events. We are looking for our inaugural Director of Food Services to lay the groundwork for a best-in-class food and nutrition program that transforms how the community engages with food—through improving the nutrition environment and thinking more sustainably about what we eat through hands-on nutrition education in the classrooms and beyond. Working closely with school, operations, and wellness leaders, the Director of Food Services has complete responsibility for the food service department and kitchen, beginning at the home of DREAM Charter High School and DREAM Mott Haven, with plans to expand to our East Harlem and Highbridge campuses. This is an exciting opportunity for a culinary professional committed to transforming how the community engages with food to launch and oversee a one-of-its-kind program in service of DREAM's students and families. 

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with families, students, school staff and leaders, and external vendors, suppliers and compliance authorities
• Develop recipes and plan menus for all cafeterias to be in compliance with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)
• Schedule and coordinate the work of cooks and other kitchen employees to assure that food preparation is economical and technically correct and within budgeted labor and food cost goals
• Develop internal pipeline of kitchen leads to manage program at each site
• Possesses a keen understanding and knowledge about seasonal ingredients, along with the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with local farmers and suppliers to source ingredients
• Manage the efficient procurement of food products
• Manage and maintain food service technological components for the kitchen
• Responsible for hiring and managing Food Service team members
• Develop and direct procedures to ensure that quality standards are met and deadlines adhered to as well as proper sanitation consistent with Department of Health Guidelines
• Develop systems and controls to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards
• Manages Food Service budget

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or a degree from a culinary school, required
• Attended a culinary training program, possess a degree from a culinary arts program, or has equivalent work experience
• Minimum 10 years culinary experience in large scale food application along with a minimum of 5 years management experience in a team environment
• Must have the ability to lead and support kitchen teams
• Must have extensive knowledge of food preparation and production in large volume
• Holds a valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate or able to obtain prior to start of employment
• Knowledgeable and able to manage and comply with Health Department and other governmental agency regulations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Possesses strong critical thinking and planning skills with the ability to set and implement a vision of excellence
• Strong collaboration and relationship building skills
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

• Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, kneel, and reach to store/retrieve supplies
• Ability to lift, carry, and push supplies and boxes up to 50 pounds
• Occasional environment exposures to inclement weather

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications and internal equity. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for medical plans and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, referral bonuses, professional development, an employee assistance program (EAP) and a 403(b) plan with employer matching up to 4%.

DREAM's VACCINATION POLICY

DREAM requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Reasonable Accommodations based on a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief are being considered in accordance with applicable law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality. Come dream with us.

DREAM MAXIMS

All Kids Can. 

This Kid Can. 

DREAM is Family. 

Fun is a Serious Value. 

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work. 

Fail. Persist. Exceed. 

DREAM Big.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/6BxM6ahYLKBM4tqANFxmYd

PI202164625