Wilmington Alliance, Wilmington DE
*Wilmington Alliance is a Philanthropy Delaware member*
Wilmington Alliance was founded in 2019 by the merger of two long-standing Wilmington nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to partner with community and civic leaders to prioritize the City’s highest needs. By connecting with neighborhoods, the business community, nonprofits, and local, state and regional development entities, the Alliance works to drive economic opportunity and social vitality through the lens of equity and inclusion. Nurturing a network of catalysts, we focus on economic and workforce development, revitalization through community engagement, and creative placemaking. We are passionate about our work, our partners, and our citywide mission.
About Wilmington, DE
Wilmington – the largest city in Delaware – has long been a regional corporate and business center, but recently it’s taken its place as a burgeoning East-Coast center for technology and innovation. The city is frequently cited as a new tech hub and one of America’s most attractive small cities for living and amenities, with attractive downtown living and dining. And it’s the home of our 46th President!
The Position
The partnership of Riverfront Church, Wilmington Alliance and Grace Church seek a Kitchen Manager for the Wilmington Kitchen Collective, a kitchen incubator space in West Center City, Wilmington.
The Wilmington Kitchen Collective is a community- based project dedicated to serving food industry entrepreneurs from marginalized local communities.
Our mission is to empower holistic transformation by providing affordable, high-quality commercial kitchen facilities in an effort to usher in human flourishing.
The Kitchen Incubator will serve as a center of activity for entrepreneurs seeking a career in Wilmington’s culinary arena. The goals of the facility are to provide lower-cost and higher quality kitchen facilities for food entrepreneurs. In addition to providing a creative space for culinary entrepreneurs to grow their business, the facility will also foster the gathering of professionals and pre-professionals who can share contacts and knowledge, creating a more cohesive culinary (entrepreneurial) community. Additionally, the incubator will provide, through partners, The Food Bank of Delaware and the Small Business Development Center at UD a curriculum of business services and training to assist entrepreneurs in their business growth.
Partners in this project include:
Riverfront Church, Wilmington DE
Riverfront Church owns and operates the Wilmington Kitchen Collective. Riverfront Church is committed to the work of justice in our particular location in the City of Wilmington, and lives this out through worship, small groups, community engagement, and investing in our city through projects such as this. They gather for worship outside on the Riverfront, and partner with churches like Grace for space to live out community projects.
Grace United Methodist Church, Wilmington DE
Grace UMC is located at 900 N Washington St., and is the site for the Wilmington Kitchen Collective. Grace Church seeks to be an urban faith center for sending and receiving mission in Christ’s name. They are excited to expand the use of their building in a way that is mission and vision aligned.
Wilmington Alliance, Wilmington DE
Wilmington Alliance was founded in 2019 by the merger of two long-standing Wilmington nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to partner with community and civic leaders to prioritize the City’s highest needs. By connecting with neighborhoods, the business community, nonprofits, and local, state and regional development entities, the Alliance works to drive economic opportunity and social vitality through the lens of equity and inclusion. Nurturing a network of catalysts, we focus on economic and workforce development, revitalization through community engagement, and creative placemaking. We are passionate about our work, our partners, and our citywide mission.
Job Title: Kitchen Manager for the Wilmington Kitchen Collective
Reports to: Pastor Chelsea Spyres – Riverfront Church
Part-Time Contractor (Up to 20 hours per week)
The Kitchen Manager is responsible for the daily operations of the kitchen and its members. The Manager ensures that the commercial kitchen meets its mission of assisting food entrepreneurs in launching and managing successful businesses by providing: (1) a fully licensed and equipped commercial kitchen they can use for business development and ongoing preparation of their food products; and (2) assisting members to access professional technical assistance through partners
Position Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
Facilitate community and partner interaction; identify potential community partners and build lasting and reciprocal relationships;
Ensure that the needs of culturally and economically diverse communities are met and identify and remove barriers to participation;
Position Characteristics
The Kitchen Manager needs to be highly organized and empathetic, eager to work in a collaborative environment with many project partners. Especially while working with kitchen entrepreneurs the Kitchen Manager needs to exhibit dignity and respect, creating a space of hospitality for all who enter the kitchen. An ideal candidate would have experience and a willingness to develop the following within themselves:
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An ability to think and problem‐solve creatively;
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Ability to engage with diverse populations and be outgoing and personable;
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Ability to teach effectively and convey knowledge to a diverse audience;
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Strong organizational skills;
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Superior communication skills – verbal and interpersonal;
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Strong interpersonal skills – listening, patience, empathy;
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An ability to adapt communication skills to a variety of stakeholders;
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Experience working with and serving stakeholders across line of race, class, education, generation and sexual orientation;
Job Qualifications
The successful candidate will be self‐motivated and is required to have:
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Four year college degree and/or two years relevant experience in the culinary industry as a Chef, Sous Chef or culinary instructor
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ServSafe Food Protection Manager certified
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Extensive knowledge of commercial kitchen management and small scale food production
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Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite & Google Drive
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Working knowledge of faith based organizations to sustain relationships with project partners such as the New Castle Presbytery and Grace Church
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Project management skills
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Ability to maintain a flexible schedule
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The ability to prioritize tasks and follow consistent routines
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Clean drug screening
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Satisfactory State of Delaware Background fingerprint and background screening
To successfully and safely perform the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
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Stand primarily on a level surface for periods throughout the day
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Walk primarily on a level surface for periods throughout the day
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Reach above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required throughout the work day
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Lift up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds on occasion
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Ability to wear protective gear when/where required
Duties and Responsibilities
Facility
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Oversees the operation and management of all equipment, facility, utilities and general kitchen use
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Manages the scheduling system for the kitchen facility
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Maintains the kitchen space as compliant with City/State codes
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Ensures all equipment is properly working and schedules equipment repair and maintenance
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Takes regular inventory of equipment and small wares
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Assists and coordinates with Riverfront Church staff to ensure commercial kitchen facility is available for special events hosted by Grace Church staff, Trustees and congregants
Membership
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Orients new members to rules and procedures pertaining to the use of the KI space according to the User Agreement and Policies and Procedures ManualTrains all users of the kitchen on operations, safety and maintenance according to the Policies and Procedures manual
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Enforces sanitary food handling methods and kitchen use policies and procedures
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Maintains records for members to remain in compliance with food safety regulations for the state of DE and City of Wilmington
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Enforces organization of cold and dry storage
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Ensures all users keep kitchen clean and organized
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Assists members in accessing technical assistance provided by Small Business Development Center and other Wilmington Alliance partners
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Assist in recruiting users
Job Specifics
This is a grant‐funded contract position that does not include benefits. There is no relocation allowance. All of the work will take place in the downtown Wilmington neighborhood of West Center City.
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to riverfrontwilmo@gmail.com and place “Kitchen Incubator Manager Application” in the subject line. Application by any other means will not be accepted.
