Community Kitchen Manager
Mainspring – The Seacoast Social Services Collective
About Mainspring
Mainspring is a collaborative social service hub designed to make it easier for individuals and families to access the resources they need to thrive. Through co-location, centralized intake, and coordinated care, Mainspring connects community members to critical services while building a stronger, more resilient Seacoast. Mainspring opened in early 2025 as a joint project of Fair Tide and Footprints and is experiencing rapid growth as demand for coordinated services increases and interest in this innovative model expands. It's a very exciting time to join our team and help shape the future of Mainspring!
Position Summary
Footprints at Mainspring is seeking a Community Kitchen Manager to lead and grow our kitchen-based food access programs. This position oversees the daily operations of our community kitchen and related programming, including community breakfasts and suppers, prepared meal initiatives, volunteer kitchen activities, and Cooking Matters cooking and nutrition classes. The position will also work closely with the Market Manager and Director of Operations to support one another’s roles and responsibilities, overseeing all food-related programs.
We are looking for someone who is organized, collaborative, community-oriented, and comfortable leading both kitchen operations and people. The ideal candidate brings strong communication skills, flexibility, and a commitment to creating welcoming, dignified food experiences for community members. This role works closely with staff, volunteers, community partners, and program participants to expand access to nutritious meals while reducing food waste and strengthening community connections.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen & Meal Program Management
Oversee the daily operation of the community kitchen
Plan, coordinate, and support community meal programs including breakfasts, suppers and prepared meal distribution.
Coordinate meal preparation using donated and purchased food
Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming kitchen environment
Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and licensing requirements
Monitor kitchen equipment and coordinate maintenance and repairs as needed
Volunteer & Community Engagement
Recruit, schedule, train, and support kitchen volunteers
Establish consistent communications with the volunteer base engaged in the kitchen programs
Work in coordination with the Volunteer Manager to build kitchen programs in alignment with the variety of additional Market activities
Foster a welcoming and collaborative environment for volunteers, guests, and partners
Work collaboratively with community organizations, schools, and local partners connected to food access programming
Support a culture of dignity, hospitality, and inclusion within all meal programs
Educational Programming
Coordinate and facilitate Cooking Matters and other cooking/nutrition education classes
Assist with recipe planning, food preparation, and instructional support for classes and workshops
Engage in market research to explore, grow, and expand innovative food-related programs
Support programming that helps individuals and families build confidence and skills around meal preparation and nutrition
Administrative & Program Support
Maintain kitchen schedules, records, and supply inventories
Assist with purchasing and inventory management
Coordinate with Operations and Market Management to streamline inventory and ordering between Kitchen and Market programming
Track program participation and support reporting needs
Support agency-wide events and collaborate across programs as needed
Coordinate with the Market to increase visibility of nutrition-security initiatives and educational materials within Footprints
Provide coverage and support for related food access programs when necessary
Ideal Qualifications & Skills
The perfect candidate will fulfill the requirements below. But, hey, no one is perfect, so don’t hesitate to apply if you can’t check ALL the boxes.
Experience working in a commercial kitchen, community food program, or related setting
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
Experience working with volunteers and diverse community members
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Commitment to food access, community care, and dignity-centered service
ServSafe® certification or willingness to obtain certification upon hire
Experience teaching or facilitating cooking classes is a plus
Experience with food recovery, meal programs, or nonprofit food systems is a plus
Hours, Compensation & Benefits
● 30 hours/week, hourly, non-exempt, with a flexible work environment
● $30 - $32/hour
● Benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions.
● Opportunities for professional development and training.
To inquire about the position and/or apply:
Cover letter and resume required to be considered.
Send both to hiring@mainspringcollective.org
