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Cafeteria Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bristol Public Schools

Lead Cook- Cafeteria

Bristol, CT · On-site

$17.25 - $22/hr

Cafeteria/Lead Cook Date Posted: 6/10/2026 Location: Greene-Hills Elementary School Date Available: 26 - 27 SY Closing Date: Open until filled POSITION TITLE : LEAD COOK - GREENE-HILLS SCHOOL ...

Bristol Public Schools

Lead Cook - Cafeteria

Bristol, CT · On-site

$17.25 - $22/hr

Cafeteria/Lead Cook Date Posted: 1/14/2026 Location: Chippens Hill Middle School Date Available: 03/03/2026 Closing Date: Open until filled POSITION TITLE: LEAD COOK - CHIPPENS HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL ...

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How much do cafeteria lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria lead in the United States is $16.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Cafeteria Leads?

Cafeteria Leads are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a cafeteria, including supervising staff, ensuring food safety and quality, managing inventory, and maintaining cleanliness standards. They coordinate meal preparation and service, handle scheduling, and address customer concerns. Cafeteria Leads play a key role in ensuring that meals are served efficiently and that all health and safety regulations are followed. This position often requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and experience in food service.

What are some common challenges faced by a Cafeteria Lead and how can they be managed?

A Cafeteria Lead often encounters challenges such as coordinating a diverse team, ensuring food safety compliance, and managing peak meal times efficiently. Effective communication and delegation are key to maintaining smooth operations, especially during busy periods. Staying updated with health regulations and fostering a supportive team environment can help address these challenges and ensure consistent service quality.

What is the difference between Cafeteria Lead vs Cafeteria Supervisor?

AspectCafeteria LeadCafeteria Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees daily cafeteria operations, manages staff, ensures food safety, and maintains service quality.Supervises cafeteria staff, enforces policies, handles scheduling, and ensures compliance with regulations.
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience in food service preferred.High school diploma or equivalent; food service experience often required.
Work EnvironmentSchool or institutional cafeterias, fast-paced food service settings.School cafeterias, institutional food service environments.

The main difference is that a Cafeteria Lead typically focuses on daily operations and team management at a more hands-on level, while a Cafeteria Supervisor often has broader oversight responsibilities, including enforcing policies and staff scheduling. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the Supervisor role may involve more administrative duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cafeteria Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cafeteria Lead, you need experience in food service operations, knowledge of food safety regulations, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help in managing staff and ensuring efficient service. These abilities are crucial for maintaining a safe, compliant, and smoothly operating cafeteria that delivers quality customer service.
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Cafeteria Lead jobs near you
Sussex Elementary School Sr. Cafeteria Lead

Sussex Elementary School Sr. Cafeteria Lead

Baltimore County Public Schools

Essex, MD • On-site

$17.56 - $26.46/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 4 hours ago

Baltimore County Public Schools rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

350th of 574 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description


Supervises an elementary school kitchen that serves over 400 meals per day. Performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
  • Assists the cafeteria manager by assuming responsibility for the successful operation of a satellite food service operation at a receiving school. Oversees serving over 400 meals per day.
  • Serves as liaison between the local school staff and the manager of the base complex. Assists the complex manager in marketing the food service programs and works with school administrative staff to encourage and maximize participation by all students.
  • Assumes responsibility for and assists as needed in the setup and preparation of the food service program on a daily basis.
  • Responsible for food preparation based on planned menu. Checks quantities, records temperatures, and notes the condition of food at time of arrival in accordance with established sanitation, health, and Office of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) standards.
  • Trains and directs other food service employees working in the satellite kitchen. Assures operation is in compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures and food safety standards.
  • Washes, sanitizes, and stores equipment and supplies. Scrubs counters, tables, chairs; mops/scrubs floors; and disposes of waste properly. Stores food and supplies in accordance with HACCP procedures, takes inventories, and orders food and supplies.
  • Follows OFNS cash handling procedures to prepare and verify cash receipts on the cashier daily report, prepare daily bank deposit, verify cash receipts, and deliver the deposit to the bank. Reviews daily transactions, compares operating reports, and investigates and documents discrepancies.
  • Adheres to all policies and procedures for the School Nutrition Accountability Program to include use of the point-of-sale system.
  • Maintains accountability of free and reduced-priced meal transactions. Assures that the students are served in the most effective and efficient manner.
  • Assumes responsibility for transporting supplies from the base kitchen to the satellite schools, if required.
  • Attends monthly meetings conducted by the base kitchen manager. Attends in-service trainings as well as scheduled professional development programs. Reports to any site in the base complex as assigned. Attends school-related functions and provides support to the total school operation.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training, and Experience:
  • High school diploma or appropriate equivalent. Two (2) years' experience in the field of food service.
  • BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services Cafeteria Lead Training preferred.
  • BCPS food service experience preferred.
  • Note::Other combination of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.

Licenses and Certifications
  • Required certifications must be maintained throughout employment in this position or any other that requires these certifications.
  • Certified Food Service Manager-Level 1 certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Basic knowledge of point-of-sale systems. Knowledge of food preparation, service, and storage practices. Knowledge of personal computers and software to prepare required reports.
  • Skill in handling cash and preparing daily deposits. Skill in the use of food service equipment.
  • Skill and ability to organize, plan, and execute work with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to properly maintain confidential information. Ability to direct the work of others. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to operate a computer and use appropriate software as determined by Baltimore County Public Schools. Ability to multitask.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
  • The work of this class is performed in a kitchen and cafeteria environment. Duties require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, the ability to bend and kneel on a regular basis, and the ability to stand for three hours or more consecutively. Also requires the ability to withstand extreme temperatures of hot and cold.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
SALARY: $17.56 to $26.46/per hour
Visit the BCPS Office of Payroll website for additional information on pay scales, other compensation and leave accruals at https://www.bcps.org/fiscalservices/payroll.
SCHEDULE: 6 hrs./.7500 FTE; 8:00am - 2:30pm (30 min break)
OTHER COMPENSATION:
This position may also be eligible for shift differential and longevity as per the AFSME Master Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding. Visit the BCPS website for additional information at https://www.bcps.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=2828&pageId=69996497.
BENEFITS: BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans. Other benefits include sick, paid holidays, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves. All new hires will attend a benefits and retirement orientation upon hire.
Visit the BCPS website for additional information about benefit plans for BCPS employees at https://www.bcps.org/hr/compliance/benefits_and_retirement
Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activates and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEC Officer, Officer of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937).
Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.
  • Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with the Baltimore County Public Schools.
  • Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted.
  • Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
  • Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
  • All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (State of Maryland, Senate Bill 315, effective October 1, 1986) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109.00.
  • An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
  • Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
  • If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
  • Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
  • Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
  • All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.

Contact Information
Office of Staffing & Licensure
443-809-7872

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