About the Role

Ark Aid Street Mission Inc. is seeking a skilled and compassionate Kitchen Team Lead to direct daily culinary operations, inspire our kitchen staff and volunteers, and serve our community with dignity. Under the direction of the Kitchen Coordinator, you will prepare high-quality, nutrient-balanced meals for 500+ community members daily, stretching donated ingredients creatively while upholding strict commercial kitchen standards.

In this role, your work goes beyond food service: you directly advance our mission by fostering a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment that facilitates love, healing, and liberation for marginalized individuals.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Execution & Food Service Delivery

- Prepare nutrient-balanced, high-quality meals using a mix of donated and purchased ingredients.
- Collaborate with the Kitchen Coordinator to plan, cost, and execute monthly meal plans, adapting fluidly based on incoming food donations.
- Ensure meal service runs on time, to specification, and sets a positive, high-energy pace during peak service hours.
- Communicate effectively with programmatic and support staff regarding menu updates, dietary adjustments, and service timelines.

Personnel Leadership & Volunteer Engagement

- Supervise, motivate, and direct daily activities for kitchen staff, shift supervisors, and volunteers.
- Deliver training on commercial kitchen equipment, vocational skills, and strict food hygiene standards.
- Foster an inclusive, welcoming culture for volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds.
- Assist the Kitchen Coordinator in monitoring team performance, addressing behavioral or operational issues constructively, and supporting conflict resolution.

Inventory Control, Donated Goods & Budget Stewardship





- Manage weekly ordering for food, paper products, and cleaning supplies within strict budget parameters.
- Receive, inspect, log, and safely store incoming food donations and deliveries; enforce standard FIFO stock rotation.
- Track and document kitchen waste daily to maximize savings and protect donated resources.
- Maintain organized storage facilities to prevent stock loss and build robust, professional relationships with local food donors and community partners.

What You Bring

- Culinary Expertise: Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen workflows, food preparation techniques, and safe food handling standards.
- Nutritional Awareness: Ability to craft healthy, balanced meals out of fluid, donation-based ingredient supplies.
- Inspiring Leadership: Experience directing and encouraging staff and volunteers with varying skill levels in a fast-paced environment.
- Resourcefulness & Inventory Control: Skilled in stock rotation (FIFO), waste management, and budget-conscious inventory monitoring.
- Adaptability & Mission Focus: Strong problem-solving skills, clear communication, and a heart for serving marginalized populations with empathy and respect.

Required Qualifications

- Diploma, certificate, or formal training in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Services, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience as a Chef or Kitchen Lead in a busy commercial,



institutional, or high-volume community kitchen.
- Proven experience managing, scheduling, and training staff alongside a diverse volunteer cohort.
- Safe Food Handling Certification
- Current CPR and First Aid Certification
- Vulnerable Sector Check
- Valid G-class driver’s license
- A strong, demonstrable commitment to the Christian values, faith-based mission, and community-led vision of Ark Aid

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience working with donation-reliant food systems is highly preferred.
- Red Seal or equivalent certification/training

Physical Demands & Work Environment

- Active, high volume and fast-paced commercial kitchen.
- High physical mobility, including standing, bending, and moving quickly for up to 8 hours a day.
- Requires the capacity to handle emergencies, adapt operations, and provide calm crisis de-escalation support.
- Occasional local travel between active Ark Aid operational sites (such as Dundas Street, William Street, or off-site events).
- Must be physically able to lift, carry, and move heavy inventory or kitchen supplies up to 50 lbs.

Pay: Up to $24.58 per hour

Benefits

- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off

Ability to commute/relocate:
- London, ON N5W 2Z4: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:
- AEC / DEP or Skilled Trade Certificate (preferred)

Experience:
- Culinary: 3 years (required)
- Supervising: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:
- CPR Certification (preferred)
- Food Handler Certification (required)
- Driving Licence (required)
- Red Seal Cook Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Kitchen Team Leader (London)
🏢 Ark Aid Street Mission
📍 London