Youth Culinary Program Manager

ICNC works to strengthen the companies in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor on Chicago's Nearwest Side Community. In addition to representing and providing assistance to hundreds of companies in its community, ICNC owns and operates Make City, a small business incubator which houses 100 small business tenants in its 416,000 square foot facility. ICNC co-owns The Hatchery, a new food and beverage manufacturing incubator, where this position will be located.
 
The Culinary Core Institute, founded by Chef Rick Bayless, provides an eight-week, comprehensive, in kitchen culinary program with a four-week professional internship hosted by Chicago-area restaurants. The goal of this program is to help strengthen and provide opportunities for youth as well as provide Chicago restaurants with much needed staff.

Position Activities and Responsibilities:
The Youth Culinary Program Manager will provide supports to and be responsible for a wide range of classroom instruction supports, program management, internships and employment services for the Culinary Core Institute. This is a full-time position and reports to ICNC’s Workforce Development Director.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management 

• Mentor, coach and support students through regular case management
• Provide or refer students for wrap-around supports such as transportation assistance, housing, behavioral health, work readiness, legal, trauma education and more
• Maintain partnerships with local area restaurants and chefs to assist in arranging internship experiences for all students
• Explore additional funding opportunities that could assist in program expansion
• Manage relationships with community-based organizations in order to refer students for support services not offered in-house
• Support recruitment and marketing efforts of the program
• Supervise student performance in class and provide performance improvement plans as necessary
• Track and report program performance using agreed metrics
• Participate in regular professional development opportunities relating to the program
• Prepare graduation ceremony for all cohorts
• Create and maintain alumni association and other programs that may add value

Community and Food Safety Supports

• Support culinary instructor with maintaining inventory for food and other supplies
• Manage and schedule kitchen space for culinary trainings and community use
• Assist with community training programs and marketing

• Request kitchen space certifications from the city of Chicago as necessary
• Build and maintain working relationships with City of Chicago regulatory departments
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum two-year college degree or a minimum of four-years of relevant program management experience required
• Must have Illinois Food Handler Certificate or be eligible to obtain it within 30 days from hire date
• Prior experience working with underserved or at-risk youth, highly preferred
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with students, peers, and employers
• Excellent administrative and organization skills
• Must be comfortable using scheduling systems
• Previous event planning experience is a plus
• Will become familiar with City of Chicago food service rules and regulations
• Capacity to interface with food service industry organizations in support of the program
• Active listener and understands the importance of accountability
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, critically problem solve and exercise good judgment with minimal supervision
• Self-starter that is energetic, creative, proactive, and responsible
• Great follow-up and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility in work/teaching style to adapt to new projects and meet changing demands

 
Working Conditions:
Open, casual, office environment/industrial shared kitchen, shared with full-time staff members and food and beverage tenants. Most time will be spent at the Hatchery Chicago when outside meetings with employers or community-based organizations are not scheduled.

Position Structure and Benefit Incentives:

• This is a full-time position; 40 hours per week; 8:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday
• Starting annual salary range is $47K-$51K; commensurate with experience
• Benefit incentives includes: One week paid vacation to start and one week personal/sick time off, participation in group health insurance plan, SIMPLE IRA, short and long term disability and life insurance; training and career development opportunities available

 
How to Apply:
Please email letter of interest, current resume, and three professional references to:
 
ICNC
Culinary Program Manager Search Committee
jobs@industrialcouncil.com
The subject line must include the recruiting code CCIPM.

For further information about the organizations, please visit the Hatchery Chicago’s website at www.thehatcherychicago.org or ICNC’s website at: www.industrialcouncil.com.

The Hatchery Chicago, ICNC and the Culinary Core Institute are equal opportunity employers and provides a smoke-free, drug-free work place.