Job Opening at Allen Neighborhood Center: 

Kitchen and Facilities Manager

Allen Neighborhood Center is seeking a highly organized and energetic person to manage all programming in our licensed commercial kitchens, including our Incubation Program for food entrepreneurs; and, to oversee rental of ANC’s Great Room and Conference Room for special events, meetings, and community activities. 

Strong candidates will have education or training related to the position; and passion about food and community.  Compensation commensurate with experience and training; competitive benefit package offered for this full-time employee. Please submit your resume and cover to [log in to unmask], or drop it at ANC, located at 1611 E. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48912 by September 30.  Call Joan Nelson at 517-999-3912 with questions.

Responsibilities

Kitchen Management includes 1) overseeing all operations of the Incubator Kitchen, including rental by food entrepreneurs, and 2) planning classes on food preparation, food preservation, and culinary job skills training for the public:

• Manage inquiries, and organize “talk and tours” for prospective tenants.
• Guide prospective tenants through the on-boarding process, an inclusive startup process consisting of tasks required to start a food business (e.g., securing a license, obtaining product liability insurance, etc.)
•  Link kitchen tenants with appropriate training, including business and financial planning, safe food production, and marketing.
• Regularly check in with current and on-boarding businesses to provide advisement for next steps.
• Manage Incubator tenant relations and operations.
•  Ensure the safety of all food handled and produced in the Kitchens.
•  Oversee billing, in cooperation with ANC’s Financial Manager.
• Help create and distribute materials to recruit new tenants and support existing tenants and their businesses.
• Maintain strong relationships with local, county and state agencies, the state-wide Kitchen Incubator Network, and other food system professionals.
• Oversee rental of the kitchen to community groups and families for special events; and periodically help to design engaging cooking classes for the public.

Facilities Management will involve outreach to the community to promote and book ANC facilities, in particular, the Great Room and Conference Room:

• Distribute promotional information via robust social, traditional,  and neighborhood ‘media’
• Be the first contact with the public on all rental opportunities, responding promptly to inquiries with clear information on the space, services, pricing and other key information.  Give tours as requested by potential renters.
• Clearly review contract obligations with potential renters, including costs and items used, making sure all forms are completed correctly.
• Provide exceptional customer service to clients before, during, and after rental.
• Closely track all financials related to property rentals, in cooperation with ANC’s Financial and Business Manager.

• Professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks/projects at a time
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Experience with complex scheduling projects
• Commitment to maintaining a clean shared environment (ServSafe and other certifications are helpful) and a positive customer experience
• Experience in managing and creating relationships with multiple partners, patrons, renters, as well as rotating AmeriCorps and interns
• High level of initiative and positive thinking; willingness to jump in, learn quickly and self-manage.
• Experience in special events coordination is helpful.
• Knowledgeable about kitchens (small and large equipment, utensils, etc.); curious about diverse culinary traditions and foodways on Lansing’s Eastside.
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including weekends and evenings
• Commitment to Lansing’s Eastside, its residents, stakeholders and strategic partners throughout the mid-Michigan region.

 About Allen Neighborhood Center

Established in 1999, Allen Neighborhood Center is a dynamic hub for neighborhood revitalization and for activities that promote the well-being of Lansing Eastside residents and other stakeholders.   The Eastside of Lansing is home to a diverse mix of people from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds.  This rich blend of ideas, lifestyles, and traditions is reflected in a long history of people committed to preserving and improving their neighborhood and celebrating its uniqueness.  While our ‘place-based’ mission focuses on the Eastside, we work in close collaboration with regional entities that share our broad agenda.

About Allen Market Place

A project of Allen Neighborhood Center, the Allen Market Place (AMP) facility is located immediately behind the Center.  The AMP houses our commercial kitchens, food storage, the year-round Allen Farmers Market, and the Exchange Food Hub. The AMP Great Room and Conference Room, often in demand for community events, are available for rental when not being used for ANC programs.