Job Opening: 

Incubator Kitchen Manager at Allen Neighborhood Center

Allen Neighborhood Center is seeking a highly organized and energetic person to manage programming in our licensed commercial kitchen, including our Incubation Program for food entrepreneurs. This position will be half-time, although in mid-2021, may grow to full time and involve overseeing 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 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 November 4 at 5pm.  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 branding and marketing.
• Regularly check in with Makers to advise regarding 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 and Business Manager.
• Help create and distribute materials to recruit new tenants and support existing tenants.
• 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.

Required Background, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledgeable about kitchens (small and large equipment, utensils, etc.); curious about diverse culinary traditions and foodways on Lansing’s Eastside.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean shared environment (ServSafe and other certifications are helpful) and a positive customer experience
• Professional and resourceful (even ‘entrepreneurial’) style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks at a time
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Experience with complex scheduling projects
• Experience in managing and creating relationships with multiple partners, patrons, renters
• High level of initiative and positive thinking; willingness to jump in and self-manage.
• 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 Facility

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.