Title: Kitchen Trainee
Reporting to: Kitchen Manager
About Food 4 Education
Food for Education (F4E) is an African-led, women-led social enterprise that uses technology, smart operations and logistics to provide low-cost, high-quality meals that improve nutrition and education outcomes for primary school children in Kenya.
We are growing quickly. Our mission is to scale models that prioritise efficient supply chain management and sustainable sourcing, so we can continue lowering the cost of school lunches. We have delivered over 40,000,000 meals since 2012 and are expanding to reach our goal of serving at least 1,000,000 public primary school students in Kenya every day by 2027.
Our Values
At Food for Education, our values are guiding principles that provide us with purpose and direction and set the tone for our interactions with all stakeholders:
- Build with excellence and curiosity - We’re not afraid to try new things and iterate as much as we can to find the best and most efficient way to get results;
- Be the change you seek - We acknowledge that continuous improvement is a shared responsibility;
- We do what we say; and say what we do - We embrace an ownership mentality;
- Ask why; and commit- Share openly and question respectfully and commit fully. When we understand the why, we are able to work with a purpose.
Position Overview;
The Kitchen Trainee Program is a structured 6-month training initiative designed for graduates who aspire to grow into leadership roles in commercial kitchen operations. During this period, trainees will gain hands-on experience while assisting the Kitchen Manager and Junior Kitchen Manager in daily operations. The program focuses on building skills in Production and Planning, Logistics, Food Safety, and People Management. Successful trainees will transition into the Junior Kitchen Manager role.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production & Planning:
- Assist the Kitchen Manager and Junior Kitchen Manager in preparing and executing daily production schedules for large-scale meal preparation.
- Learn and ensure adherence to production procedures, recipes, portion sizes, and quality standards.
- Support the monitoring of production processes to optimize efficiency and minimize waste.
2. Logistics & Supply Chain Management:
- Work with kitchen staff to ensure timely receipt, storage, and organization of ingredients and supplies.
- Participate in stock management activities alongside the Kitchen Manager and Junior Kitchen Manager, including stock counts and replenishment planning.
3. Food Safety & Quality Assurance:
- Adhere to food safety standards and hygiene practices under the guidance of the Kitchen Manager.
- Conduct routine checks on food handling, storage, and preparation to ensure compliance with HACCP and other regulations.
4. People Management:
- Shadow the Kitchen Manager and Junior Kitchen Manager to understand team coordination and management practices.
- Support team workflows and assist in addressing challenges within the team.
5. Financial Performance:
- Gain exposure to petty cash management, requisition processes, and expense reporting.
- Support adherence to budgetary guidelines by assisting in cost control efforts.
6. School Management:
- Assist in coordinating meal delivery schedules and addressing school-related queries.
- Support initiatives to ensure high satisfaction levels among headteachers, parents, and other stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
- At least 1 year of experience in food manufacturing, hospitality, or a similar environment.
- Familiarity with food safety standards and industry best practices.
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Key Competencies
- Proactive and eager to learn: Demonstrates enthusiasm for acquiring new skills.
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality: Ensures precision and high standards in all tasks.
- Team player with a positive attitude: Collaborates effectively and maintains a constructive approach.
- Adaptability in fast-paced environments: Thrives under pressure and handles multiple tasks effectively.
We are an equal opportunity employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
Career Growth and Development
We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You will have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding, long-term career.
Deadline: 27th February 2025
We aim to contact all our applicants, but due to the high volume of applications only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks your application might not be successful on this occasion. This does not mean you will not be considered for future roles so please keep an eye on our job board and apply for positions that match your skills and experience.