Kitchen Manager - Adult Residential at Odyssey House Inc. – Salt Lake City, Utah

Odyssey House is seeking a Full-Time Kitchen Manager

Odyssey House's Mission is "Empowering people to heal and build better lives," and we are dedicated to helping individuals and families reclaim their lives through effective substance abuse treatment, prevention, and mental health services. Our programs address education, job skills, healthcare, sober housing, behavioral management, and aftercare support to ensure lifelong success. We are proud to be the largest treatment provider in Utah, with the most innovative programs available. ‘We Are Recovery,’ and we mean it with all our hearts.

Job Location: Salt Lake City

Compensation: $20-$23/Hour

Full-Time Benefits Include:
• $9,000/year tuition eligibility
• Paid continuing education/training opportunities
• Monthly incentives and awards
• Casual dress and atmosphere
• Health insurance: medical, dental, vision, FSA, long & short-term disability
• Competitive 403b match after 1 year
• Accrue up to 34 paid days off annually
• Wellness perk: convert ½ of unused sick time to vacation at year-end
• Sabbatical program after 5 years of service
• On-demand pay – access earned wages early (conditions apply)
• Extra time off & gift packages after 90 days
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary

The Kitchen Manager is responsible for all daily kitchen operations—including purchasing, receiving, food preparation, sanitation, inventory control, and quality assurance—while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and client-centered vocational training. This leadership role serves as the primary authority in the kitchen and is fully accountable for audit outcomes, regulatory compliance, and the successful integration of recovery-oriented vocational programming. The Kitchen Manager plays a vital role in Odyssey House’s mission by training and mentoring clients in recovery, helping them develop marketable culinary and life skills that support long-term sobriety and self-sufficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, sanitary, and fully compliant kitchen environment in accordance with Utah Department of Health and Human Services regulations, OSHA standards, and Odyssey House policies. Achieve and sustain a minimum 90% score on all monthly and semi-annual audits (TJC, Health Department, food bank, and internal).

• Manage food purchasing, receiving, inventory management, storage, and vendor relationships—including strong partnerships with Utah food banks—to ensure cost-effectiveness, product integrity, and regulatory compliance.

• Consistently meet or exceed standards for food preparation, portion control, sanitation, temperature monitoring, and safe food handling.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all Health Department inspections, food bank audits, and regulatory reviews.

• Maintain accurate, organized documentation (temperature logs, incident reports, food-handler certifications) retained for a minimum of two years.

• Design and deliver vocational kitchen training for clients in recovery, teaching food preparation, sanitation, inventory control, safety practices, and professional kitchen operations while modeling healthy boundaries and recovery-supportive behaviors.

• Develop and manage kitchen schedules to ensure all meals and program events are properly staffed and executed.

• Maintain kitchen equipment, implement cleaning schedules, and coordinate preventative maintenance.

• Facilitate weekly kitchen/vocational training meetings and complete all required client-progress documentation.

• Provide training on safe equipment use, proper lifting techniques, and hazardous material handling.

• Attend all staff meetings and actively contribute to continuous quality improvement.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the program’s mission.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; culinary or food-service management experience strongly preferred.

• Current Food Safety Manager Certification (ServSafe or Utah-approved equivalent) required within 30 days of hire. Valid Utah food handler permit required at start date.

• Demonstrated operational knowledge of food-service regulations, inventory systems, and compliance documentation.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to supervise and mentor adults in recovery.

• Proven ability to maintain professional boundaries with vulnerable populations (individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and trauma).

• Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Ability to work flexible shifts, including some weekends and holidays as needed for residential program coverage.

• First Aid/CPR certification (provided by Odyssey House if not current).

• Valid Utah driver’s license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) required.

• Must pass all pre-employment screenings, including background check, fingerprinting, and applicable registry checks.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, perform light-to-moderate physical activity, and drive or arrange alternate transportation as needed.

Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of required pre-employment screenings, which may include background checks, fingerprinting, applicable sex offender registry screenings for Adult Residential roles, and other position-related verifications. Roles requiring driving are subject to a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review and valid Utah driver’s license.

All employees of Odyssey House are required to adhere to: Odyssey House mission, philosophy, and scope of service; Division of Human Services Code of Conduct and all other relevant service contract requirement standards; ensuring a safe environment for all clients and staff; providing exemplary customer service to both internal and external customers; fostering a positive work environment; ensuring high-quality client care within the scope of the assigned position.

Each employee is expected to clearly understand roles and responsibilities regarding the following: Specific job position, time management, personnel file requirements, client record system, incident reporting, mandatory training requirements, maintaining proper client boundaries, and individual rights of clients and staff.

EEOC Statement: Odyssey House is an equal-opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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