Director of Ministry and Kitchen Operations

Director of Meals Ministry and Kitchen Operations
- Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago & Chicago Lights
- Chicago

Position type: Director of Meals Ministry and Kitchen Operations

Reports to:

Associate Pastor (Mission and Community Engagement)

Fourth Presbyterian Church is a vibrant, inclusive, and service-oriented community in the heart of downtown Chicago. Guided by our Long-Range Plan, we are committed to deepening faith, building connections, fostering community partnerships, and ensuring long-term sustainability through thoughtful leadership and innovation.

The Director of Meals Ministry and Kitchen Operations is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of Fourth Church’s meals ministry as well as ensuring proper operation of our kitchen facilities. For over a decade, the Meals Ministry has grown to become the largest of the congregation’s community outreach programs. Currently, the ministry prepares and serves over 49,000 meals per year, delivered by means of 4 major programs (Sunday Night Supper, Monday Night Supper, Bag Lunch, and Community Partnerships) as well as several smaller programs including various food rescues and seasonal gifts.

Meals are provided largely through coordinated teams of volunteers as well as a part-time staff person, who report to the Director of Meals Ministry. This position often requires physical presence and, in coordination with church security, providing hands on hospitality for our guests receiving meals. The Director works autonomously, assisted by one part-time staff person, guided by the Meals Ministry Steering Team (MMST), a rotating group of experienced volunteers sharing key decision-making responsibilities.

The Director of Meals Ministry and Kitchen Operations provide operational and strategic leadership for a multi-faceted, volunteer-staffed program supporting Fourth Presbyterian Church’s mission efforts in addressing hunger, food security, and offering welcoming hospitality to neighbors in need. In addition, the Director is responsible for growing the programs to provide greater outreach, innovative sources of food and supplies. All administrative responsibility for the Meals Ministry (budgeting, reporting, accounts payable, and development) rests with the Director.

The Director partners closely with the volunteer Meals Ministry Steering Team, facilities and security staff, and other groups utilizing the kitchen.

• Create menu plans, source food and supplies, manage inventory.
• Oversee maintenance, equipping and allocation of kitchen, storage and serving areas used for Meals Ministry programming to ensure safety and sanitation compliance as well as adequacy for operations. Organize use of kitchen space in cooperation with other programs of Fourth Church or Chicago Lights that utilize it. Advocate for improvements or replacements as needed.
• Steward relationships with key suppliers/donors, including Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), North Shore Congregation Israel, Catholic Charities, Chicago Sinai Temple, Restaurant Depot, and other food rescue operations.
• Direct program operations and effectiveness on an ongoing basis
  • Maintain weekly program statistics for all programming
  • Conduct annual program evaluations and guest surveys to gauge effectiveness and satisfaction levels
• Create, maintain, and track annual Meals Ministry budget, expenses, handle reimbursements and reporting.
• Advocate for Meals Ministry as a core component of Fourth Church’s mission outreach of Fourth Church and external stakeholders.

• Support the Meals Ministry Steering Team with attendance at meetings, regular program reports, and…