Job Title: Contracted Meals Driver
Site Location: Inspiration Kitchens
Department: Restaurant Operations
Reports to: Contracted Meals Chef
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time
Salary: $17.85/Hour

To apply: Visit https://inspirationcorporation.applytojob.com/apply.

OVERVIEW:
In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.

In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

Inspiration Kitchens is the social enterprise restaurant, catering and foodservice training and employment program of Inspiration Corporation. The restaurant prepares contemporary American cuisine and is top-rated in the Chicagoland community (4+ stars on Yelp, featured on Check Please!). Inspiration Kitchens’ culinary skills job training program for low-income job seekers equips participants with basic culinary, sanitation and restaurant operations skills and offers participants paid, on-the-job experience. Revenue from Inspiration Kitchens’ restaurant and catering helps to support the larger goals of Inspiration Corporation and its mission.

At Inspiration Corporation, employees embody our mission by demonstrating the following Core Values:

• Integrity – We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
• Growth – We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
• Equity – We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
• Resilience – We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
• Hospitality – We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.

Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Contracted Meals Driver is vital to the success of the agency’s catering services to provide high-quality contracted meals. The position reports to the Contracted Meals Chef and supports preparation, production, packaging and delivery of up to 1,500 daily meals to the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC). Daily meal production is breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on a 7 day-a-week basis, including holidays.

The Contracted Meals Driver position is part-time, up to 29 hours per week, and is part of the Restaurant Operations team, which along with the Foodservice Training & Employment team, make up the Inspiration Kitchens Social Enterprise team. The Contracted Meals Driver is responsible for the timely and safe transportation of meals to delivery sites, ensuring customers receive their meals fresh and intact. The position also provides support in meal preparation, including assembling and packaging cold sandwiches and assisting with cleaning and cutting ingredients, and cooking food.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Uphold Policies and Procedures of Inspiration Corporation and Inspiration Kitchens.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Maintain a safe environment inside kitchen and throughout facility.
• Be proactive in approach to pest control with guidance from supervisor.
• Follow health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products.
• Attend required trainings and department and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties assigned by Contracted Meals Chef or Manager on Duty to support program operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Meal Preparation, Delivery & Logistics

• Safely operate company vehicles to transport meals from Inspiration Kitchens to designated delivery sites.
• Ensure meals are handled with care during loading, transit, and unloading to maintain quality and presentation.
• Assemble and package cold sandwiches per instruction.
• Assist in preparing food, including cleaning and cutting ingredients, and cooking food according to recipes provided.
• Reheat or finish meals as needed using on-site kitchen equipment before delivery.
• Verify accuracy of meal orders with the Manager on Duty prior to delivery and communicate any discrepancies immediately.
• Follow assigned delivery routes efficiently, adapting to changes or urgent requests as needed
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness, conduct routine safety checks, log all trips in the mileage log, and ensure vehicles are refueled when reaching a quarter tank.
• Assist with loading and unloading meal supplies and equipment as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support restaurant operations.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation protocols during meal handling and transport.
• Maintain proper temperature controls to ensure food safety standards are met.
• Participate in training sessions related to food handling and delivery procedures.

Team Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinate with the Contracted Meals Manager, kitchen staff, and other drivers to ensure smooth delivery of operations.
• Report any vehicle issues, delays, or incidents to the Contracted Meals Manager promptly.
• Provide excellent customer service and represent Inspiration Corporation professionally during deliveries.
• Attend required trainings and staff meetings.

Food Recovery & Sustainability (Supportive Role)

• Assist with coordinating and organizing recovered food from partners, including Green City Market.
• Help record weights and types of donated goods to maintain accurate donation data.
• Support proper storage, rotation, and organization of recovered items to ensure freshness and food safety.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the education, experience and skills necessary for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• A valid ServSafe Food Handler Certification required and must be obtained within 30 days of position start date. (Inspiration Corporation will cover costs of training and licensing).

• Prior experience in driving delivery preferred.
• Familiarity with local delivery routes in Chicago is a plus.
• Patience with the ability to stay positive, complete work on time while maintaining focus in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player that communicates effectively and demonstrates a positive, solution-oriented attitude with a commitment to quality.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays.
• A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) demonstrating a clean driving record and a current, valid, state-issued driver’s license is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk, bend, lift and stand for long periods. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Contracted Meals Driver is a part-time position, working up to 29 hours per week in accordance with the demands of meals, catering and restaurant services. Work shifts include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays. Work is performed at Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park on Chicago’s west side.

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.