Kitchen Coordinator (Drop In Centre)

Position Title: Kitchen Coordinator

Department: Food Security

Reports To: Food Rescue Manager

Organizational Overview

Since 1975 The Mustard Seed Street Church has been essential in fighting hunger and restoring faith to our community in Greater Victoria. Our operations are nearly 100 percent community funded and include Vancouver Island's largest and most accessible Food Bank; daily meals, coffee, and snacks; Hospitality programs; and a Food Security Distribution Centre. We offer church services and community building faith based programming, as well as pastoral care for those seeking a place to belong and grow spiritually. Through these core programs we assist over 5,000 people each month with the help of more than 50 daily volunteers and many generous financial supporters! 

Position Summary

The Kitchen Coordinator is a key operational support role within the Food Security Team, responsible for the coordination and daily functioning of the kitchen at the 625 Queens Avenue location. Reporting to the Food Rescue Manager, this role supports the implementation of daily hot lunches; provides consistent coordination and support to kitchen volunteers; and ensures a safe, organized, and welcoming kitchen environment.

This position acts as a primary point of contact for kitchen operations at the 625 Queens Ave location, supporting volunteer engagement, food safety compliance, and day-to-day consistency and efficiency. The Kitchen Coordinator works collaboratively with volunteers and staff from the Hospitality and Food Security departments to ensure meals are prepared and served efficiently, respectfully, and in alignment with The Mustard Seed Street Church’s values and provincial health and safety standards.

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Coordination and organization of the Queens Ave kitchen
• Overseeing all preparation, plating, cleaning and service of daily hot meals Mon-Fri

• Ensuring compliance with Vancouver Island Health Agency, Food Safe, and health regulations
• Weekday volunteer scheduling, communication, task delegation and retention
• Creation and fostering of a positive and supportive food skills/knowledge environment
• Regular meetings and/or updates with Food Rescue Manager
• Kitchen inventory management including food, containers, equipment and resources
• Reporting all equipment failures or damage to Food Rescue Manager immediately
• Acting as the on-site point person for any regular repairs as needed
• Development of Kitchen Safety, Cleaning, Daily Tasks, and Organization plans
• Collaboration for all other food serving aspects of MSSC including evening, weekend, congregational gatherings and Christmas Dinner meal and others
• Facilitation of training for volunteers for best kitchen practice and best meal delivery
• Seasonal event support as needed

Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in social services and/or non-profit field
• 3-5 years of experience in a professional kitchen environment, preferably in a supervisor role
• Required – Food Safe Asset: Food Safe Level 1
• Required – Standard First Aid and CPR-C (or willingness to obtain)
• Required – Computer skills: working knowledge of Microsoft office suit
• Asset - Class 5 driver’s license, WHIMS

Key Competencies

• Adaptive and flexible
• Excellent interpersonal skills: both written and verbal
• Excellent coordination, organizational, scheduling skills
• Excellent conflict resolution skills
• Task orientated
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines
• Ability to effectively train teams in culinary skills and techniques
• Ability to prioritize effectively
• Ability to take positive initiative and provide recommendations
• Ability to receive constructive feedback
• Ability to work in a group and largely volunteer environment
• Team player; leads by example
• Responsible and accountable
• Compassionate and kind demeanor

Terms of Employment

• Must be willing to sign the staff Code of Conduct
• Must read and agree to follow the MSSC HR Manual which is a living, changing document
• This position reports to: Food Rescue Manager
• Term: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
• Hours : Monday – Friday 7am – 3pm (start and end times may be flexible)
• The MSSC follows BC Employment Standards Law for Terminations
• Must provide an acceptable criminal record check, including the level of clearance required to work with vulnerable people