Jennifer Lopez
Reedley,CA
Summary
Experienced kitchen manager with a strong emphasis on food safety and compliance. Expertise in training teams and developing effective kitchen policies. Committed to improving operational efficiency through collaboration and adherence to health regulations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kitchen Manager
Fowler Unified School District
Fowler, California
03.2026 - Current
- Managed daily kitchen operations for school meal programs, ensuring adherence to health standards.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies, procedures, and quality standards to enhance efficiency.
- Oversaw meal preparation, cooking methods, portion sizes, and plate presentation to maintain quality.
- Trained staff on proper food handling techniques and equipment usage to ensure safety.
- Monitored sanitation practices, ensuring compliance with health department regulations.
- Coordinated inventory management and supply ordering, maintaining adequate stock levels.
- Fostered teamwork by promoting communication among kitchen staff and motivating performance.
- Prepared and cooked menu items according to standardized recipes.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workstations.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely meal service.
- Assisted in training new kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques.
- Prepared food items for catering events including salads, sandwiches, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
- Managed inventory of catering equipment including chafing dishes, serving utensils, linens.
- Coordinated menu planning to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Supervised daily cafeteria operations and ensured food safety standards were met.
- Created menus that met nutritional requirements while ensuring variety and cost efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with local health codes and regulations related to the operation of school cafeterias.
Lead Cook
Fowler Unified School District
Fowler, California
12.2024 - Current
- Prepared nutritious meals for students following school district guidelines.
- Supervised kitchen staff to maintain food safety and sanitation practices.
- Trained new cooks on cooking techniques and kitchen procedures.
- Implemented efficient workflows to streamline meal preparation processes.
- Completed workstation setup and breakdown, properly disposing of leftover food.
- Monitored quality of all cooked items throughout the day to guarantee high standards were maintained.
- Supervised staff in daily kitchen duties, including prepping ingredients, cooking meals, and cleaning up after service.
- Ensured compliance with health safety regulations while preparing meals and maintaining a sanitary work environment.
- Discussed safe operations of kitchen equipment, regulating temperatures and cooking times.
- Collaborated with management team to develop new recipes and update existing ones in order to improve the overall dining experience.
- Trained kitchen workers on culinary techniques.
- Taught kitchen staff about proper nutrition, food allergies and dietary issues.
- Monitored temperatures of prepared food and cold-storage areas.
Food Safety Manager
PSSI LLC
Kieler, Wisconsin
08.2015 - 06.2020
- Conducted regular audits to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
- Led investigations into food safety incidents to determine root causes.
- Facilitated workshops on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).
- Ensured that all employees had received appropriate training in HACCP principles and other relevant topics related to food safety management systems.
- Trained staff on proper sanitation practices and safety standards.
- Trained personnel on proper cleaning techniques aimed at eliminating microbial hazards from work surfaces and equipment utilized in manufacturing operations.
- Conducted periodic inspections of equipment used in manufacturing operations to verify its cleanliness and suitability for use in producing safe foods.
- Evaluated results of inspections conducted by regulatory agencies to identify potential areas for improvement in sanitation, storage, and production processes.
- Maintained accurate records pertaining to the implementation of food safety programs such as temperature logs, sanitation reports, chemical usage data.
- Performed microbiological testing of samples as part of regular quality assurance program.
- Collaborated with operational teams to address safety concerns promptly.
- Collaborated with internal teams to develop corrective action plans when non-conformances were identified during inspection or audit activities.
- Coordinated audits from third-party certification bodies including SQF Level 2, 3, 4 audits and BRC Global Standard Certification Audits.
- Assisted in training new operators on equipment handling and safety procedures.
- Trained newly hired top talent to fill key positions and maximize productivity.
Education
High School Diploma -
Selma High School
Selma, CA03-2002
Skills
- Food safety management
- Sanitation practices
- Kitchen operations
- Menu planning
- Inventory control
- Culinary techniques
Certification
- First Aid Certificate
- Paraprofessional Certificate
- Food Handling Certificate
- Food Protection Manager Certification
- Culinary & Business Certificate
Timeline
Kitchen Manager
Fowler Unified School District
03.2026 - Current
Lead Cook
Fowler Unified School District
12.2024 - Current
Food Safety Manager
PSSI LLC
08.2015 - 06.2020
High School Diploma -
Selma High School