Soup Kitchen Assistant Supervisor

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description

Position Purpose summary:

The Soup Kitchen Assistant Supervisor coordinates the food services operations for a ministry unit, to ensure compliance with the Canada Food Guide and applicable health regulations; provides general coordination to the feeding program, through sourcing the food via donations and purchasing and coordinating its preparation and delivery to clients, coordinates the team of volunteers, may perform general cooking duties in preparing food items. Work involves cooking according to standard recipes and may include some general cleaning duties. Requires knowledge of basic kitchen equipment.

Accountabilities

Soup Kitchen Assistant Supervisor is responsible for the following range of job characteristics or typical of the job class:

• Works with other Salvation Army facilities to source food donations for various programs.
• Builds and maintains good relationships with local businesses and agencies solicit donations and negotiates preferred pricing.
• Explains the feeding program and public relations for guests and visitors.
• Adapts work practices within specific parameters to ensure the efficient delivery of food services.
• Creates, develops and maintains the menu, orders of food and supplies if required.
• Maintains and updates all appropriate documentation (menu, safety logbooks, donation tracking, meal planning, scheduling etc.)
• Coordinates and monitors food preparation to ensure all food and products are consistently prepared and served according to recipes, portioning, cooking and serving standards
• In shortage of volunteers prepares the meals and does other volunteer duties; may assist with food preparation for special events.
• Decides on the appropriate, creative and efficient use of food, including donations to minimize wastage.
• Monitors general cleanliness of Soup Kitchen area and meal preparation process to meet the standards of Food Safety.
• Participates in recruiting, orientation, training, development and evaluation of Food Services personnel including volunteers; ensures staff safety is in compliance with the Health & Safety Standards.
• Schedules, assigns, and coordinates volunteer teams for all meal program process.
• Actively circulates among clients during meal program operating hours to ensure a welcoming environment, addresses client needs, and provides real-time support and assistance to volunteers to maintain smooth and efficient service delivery.
• Reports incidents to supervisor.
• Adapts work practices within specific parameters to ensure the efficient delivery of food services.
• May refer clients to family services and food bank through meal program.
• Assists and calls authorities if clients are distressed.
• Controls cash, gift cards purchase by adhering to cash/gift cards handling and reconciliation procedures in accordance with The Salvation Army policies.
• Purchases food from grocery stores if required.
• Plans and organizes entertainment, programs, special meals in accordance with ministry unit’s policy
• Communicates via emails regarding rentals, booking, vendor communication, ordering through groceries through on-line system, etc.
• Monitors preventative maintenance procedures for property and related equipment, recommends repairs and purchases as required.
• Takes responsibility for the ordering and monitoring of food and kitchen supplies and establishes guidelines for the security of food supplies and all cooking equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned (daily task list attached)
  
  

Critical Relationship Management

Ensure employees, volunteers and clients operate in conflict-free environment. Call authorities if needed.

Internal: MU Leader, Community Ministries Director, volunteers, other staff members.

External: Clients, agencies, suppliers, community members.

Managerial/Technical Responsibilities

Reports directly to the Soup Kitchen Supervisor or Community Ministries Director (in absence of Soup Kitchen Supervisor).

Direct reports: Volunteers

• Workflow coordinator.
• May act as a team lead.
  
  

Financial, Material And Human Resourse Management

• Proper stewardship in minimizing food and material costs.
• Accountable for the Maintenance: and safe usage of equipment.
• Accountable for the proper care/ usage/distribution of supplies/food received.
• Little input to and/or participates in preparing budgets with respect to the departmental budget.
• May be authorized to handle small amounts of cash.
• The incumbent is responsible for the direct supervision of non-supervisory personnel. He/She has input into discipline, hiring or firing decisions or provides advice and guidance within the established guidelines.
• The incumbent directly supervises up to 7 part-time equivalent volunteers.
  
  

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Working Conditions

• Typical working location for this position is in a soup kitchen area in a ministry unit Church building and office environment. The incumbent works in generally agreeable conditions, with the following exceptions:
• Dealing with angry people
• Verbal abuse
• Hot/Steamy environment
• Noisy
• Crowded environment in some cases.
• The performance of the job requires a frequent amount of standing, some lifting, and occasionally carrying supplies and walking.
• The incumbent is required to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The performance of the job requires frequent attention to adhering to safety procedures and regulations.
• The performance of the job requires moderate attention when menu planning, ordering supplies and reading recipes.
• Pressure of timelines
• Multi-tasking
  
  

May be exposed to the risks of minor harm, injury or illness due to:

• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Moving objects
• Injury from lifting
• Falling on wet/slippery floors
• Burns, cuts, entering freezers
  
  

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education, Experience And Qualifications

• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
  
  

Alternative combination of education and Experience may be considered.

Education, Qualifications And Certifications

• Completion of a formal post-secondary program of one academic year
• Completion of up to two (2) years of Community College will be considered as an asset.
• Food Safe Level 1
• Food Safe Level 2 will be considered as an asset
• Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certification
• WHMIS Training & Universal Precautions Training
• Other training as required by contract or The Salvation Army
  
  

An alternative level of education and experience may be acceptable.

Experience And Knowledge

• Two years of prior related experience, including one year of experience in areas of supervision and budgeting.
• Knowledge about food preparation and is familiar with kitchen equipment.
  
  

Skills And Capabilities

• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Excellent team and interpersonal skills
• Valid Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract (may be required for some positions)
• Background check consent and a clear vulnerable sector screening
• Completion of our online Armatus Abuse Training and required Health and Safety training
• Able to handle physical demands, which include lifting/carrying items up to 30 pounds
• Has the ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Immunization for Hepatitis B and vaccination against Tuberculosis are suggested
• The performance of the job requires attentive listening (empathy to guests/volunteers/co-workers) and the ability to give directions. It also requires frequent attention to the preparation of food, reading recipes, adhering to safety procedures and regulations and keeping track of what supplies are needed before running out.
• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
  
  

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $21.83 to $27.29 with a maximum of $32.75.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.