Chef

Position : Chef (Culinary Experience Manager)

Reports to : Director of Social Enterprise and Initiatives

FLSA Classification : Exempt

Direct Reports : None

Salary Range : $70,000-$75,000

Key Relationships : Director of Social Enterprise and Initiatives, Line Cooks, Executive Director, Chief Development Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Program Officer, Accounting and Finance Team, Vendors, Manager of Recruitment and Program Delivery, Manager of Employer and Strategic Partnerships, Culinary Manager, Culinary and Operations Associate, Fellows, Graduates.

Drive Change Foods is a mission-driven food truck and catering company that transforms lives through the power of hospitality. We create exceptional culinary experiences while providing meaningful employment and professional development for young people impacted by the justice system.Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, we serve bold, seasonal, and locally sourced food with purpose. Every plate we serve helps fund reentry support, skills training, and economic mobility for our community—reimagining what justice and service can look like, one meal at a time.

OUR VALUES :

Education :   I am committed to my own growth and education. I commit to learning about the issues, systems, historical and current, that affect the food system and American Legal System.

Innovation : I continually look for ways to approach our work through innovation and creativity.  I bring new ideas, question the status quo and am committed to being part of the solution.

Hospitality : I approach all members of our DC community with care, empathy and a desire to connect and meet them where they are at.

Courage :   I am committed to taking action in order to center equity and justice in our work and collective mission.

Collective Accountability :   I give and ask for feedback consistently and with an open mind.  I understand that feedback is a gift and investment in personal and professional growth.  I hold myself and others accountable to our values.

About the Role

You are more than a chef : you are a mentor, role model, and leader for young adults launching their culinary careers. At Drive Change, our mission is the essential ingredient in everything we do. As the Chef (Culinary Experience Manager), you bring that mission to life in the kitchen each day, using food as a tool for transformation, skill-building, and justice. Your leadership fuels not only culinary excellence but also lasting impact in the lives of the young people and communities we serve.

We’re seeking a dynamic chef with financial savvy to lead the culinary vision and kitchen operations of our dynamic, values-driven company. This is a rare opportunity for a mission-aligned culinary leader to help build a high-performing food business while training and uplifting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

The Chef (Culinary Experience Manager) will be responsible for developing and executing menus for our catering and food truck operations, managing food and labor budgets, leading kitchen operations, and building a collaborative, nurturing environment for our alumni staff (all justice-involved). The role reports to the Director of Social Enterprise and Initiatives and works in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Chief Development Officer to ensure culinary excellence and social impact go hand-in-hand.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

• Develop creative, cost-effective, seasonal menus for both catering and food truck operations.
• Test, refine, and document recipes with attention to scale, sourcing, and execution.
• Ensure consistent quality, presentation, and taste across all offerings.
• Infuse every menu with purpose, using food as a vehicle for social change, skill-building, and storytelling that reflects Drive Change’s mission.

Kitchen, Financial and Operational Management

Team Leadership & Training

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Participate in organizational events, activations, and community-building efforts as needed.

Skills & Attributes Needed :

Work Schedule :

This position is a full-time, in person position. Evenings and weekends are required with comp time provided. The office location for this position is Brooklyn, New York.

BENEFITS

How to Apply :

To apply to the Chef (Culinary Experience Manager) role, you apply directly through our website at DriveChangeNYC.org, or copy and paste the following link : https : / / wkf.ms / 4pDWPOw

Drive Change is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, or current employment status.

Drive Change values diverse experiences, including with regards to educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.