Culinary Navigator

Make a Difference Through Food

Food is more than a meal. It can create connection, comfort, routine, culture, and a sense of home.

The Culinary Navigator plays an important role in the Transitional Housing program by providing nutritious, culturally aware meals while creating a safe and welcoming kitchen environment. This position combines culinary expertise with mentorship, relationship-building, and community support.

You will have the opportunity to use your culinary skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of up to 24 participants while helping participants explore their own interests and skills in food and culinary arts.

What We Offer

$29.48–$33.56 per hour
Full-time, permanent employment
35 hours per week, Monday–Friday
Meaningful work where your culinary skills directly support people in our community
The opportunity to mentor participants interested in culinary arts and help them develop practical skills and positive work habits
The opportunity to incorporate Indigenous foods, traditions, cultural practices, and special occasions into food programming
A collaborative work environment within a growing transitional housing program
The opportunity to contribute to a safe, healing-focused and trauma-informed environment
Professional development opportunities
The opportunity to be part of a team working to support stability, healing, independence, and successful community integration

About the Role

The Culinary Navigator supports the Transitional Housing program by planning and preparing nutritious meals for up to 40 participants while maintaining a safe, culturally aware, and trauma-informed kitchen environment.

The role combines hands-on culinary work with participant mentorship, food service planning, budgeting, safety, reporting, and kitchen management.

You will be responsible for ensuring that participants have access to nutritious and thoughtfully planned meals while maintaining high standards of food safety, sanitation, organization, and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Comply with the JHSB Mission Statement, all internal Directives, Policies and Protocols, and applicable Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Directives.
Participate in professional development activities as directed by the Transitional Housing Director.
Complete Manitoba Food Safety Standards training as required.
Develop weekly nutritional meal plans to feed up to 30 people, including three meals, three snacks, and refreshments daily, while minimizing food waste.
Plan and prepare meals and food plans for special occasions, ceremonies, and culturally significant events.
Incorporate culturally appropriate foods and practices into food planning where appropriate.
Mentor participants who express an interest in Culinary Arts by modelling professional standards, healthy work habits, teamwork, and positive workplace behaviour.
Schedule and prepare weekend and holiday meals and provide direction to other team members to ensure appropriate meal distribution.
Collaborate with the Transitional Housing Director to develop and manage food services budget requirements.
Ensure timely requisition and delivery of products to maintain adequate supplies of food, equipment, tools, and other kitchen necessities.
Maintain high standards of safety, sanitation, organization, and cleanliness throughout all kitchen and related areas.
Complete routine maintenance and deep cleaning of food service equipment and workspaces.
Complete and submit work orders for food services-related maintenance needs to the Transitional Housing Director.
Report and document non-routine participant behaviours to the assigned Care Coordinator or Navigators.
Identify and report potential risks to participant and staff safety to the Transitional Housing Director.
Provide a monthly report to the Transitional Housing Director regarding department activities, needs, and priorities by the 14th of each month.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Transitional Housing Director.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced culinary professional who brings strong food preparation and organizational skills, along with the ability to build respectful relationships with participants.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

A Bachelor of Arts or Red Seal in Culinary Arts, or a minimum of four years of experience and training in the food service industry. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain nutritious meal plans.
Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, traditions, foods, and dietary considerations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to take direction, exercise discretion, and demonstrate leadership in stressful situations.
Ability to be assertive, confident, patient, and a positive role model for participants.
Ability to communicate effectively with participants who may be experiencing significant stress, anxiety, emotional distress, or other challenges.
Ability to plan and manage a food services budget.
Ability to work safely and effectively with kitchen equipment.
Ability to use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Ability to safely carry up to 50 pounds for short distances.

Certifications & Requirements

Valid Manitoba Class 4 or 5 driver's licence maintained in good standing.
Current First Aid/CPR certification, maintained as required.
Ability to qualify for and maintain Enhanced Security Clearance.
Manitoba Food Safety Standards training, or willingness to complete the required training.

Who We Welcome

The John Howard Society of Brandon welcomes applications from members of equity-deserving groups and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

We recognize that diverse experiences, perspectives, cultural knowledge, and lived experiences strengthen our organization and the communities we serve.

Preference may be given to qualified internal applicants.

How to Apply

Ready to bring your culinary skills to meaningful community work?

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for this position to:

careers@brandonjohnhoward.ca

Please include TH2026-05 in the subject line.

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.