U-turn - Service Center Kitchen Manager - Linden

Summary

U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for a Kitchen Cook to join the team at the new Service Centre in Linden from 1 November 2025. This position will initially be 5 hours per day, with the option of extending to 8 hours as the need grows.

This position

The cook will be responsible for cooking 3 meals per day for clients accessing the centre with a voucher and/or engaging in the activity groups. He/she will be responsible for managing the kitchen in all aspects including hygiene and health and safety requirements as well as stock management.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway to address their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.

To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.

Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Service Centres

U-turn's Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets in order to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing (and in some cases access to a shower and a bed for the night), therapeutic and development based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with addiction. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Key areas of responsibility

• Manage the kitchen and food stock according health and safety regulations
• Cook 3 meals per day
• Supervise clients and/or volunteers performing duties as part of food preparation
• Keep a stock inventory and ensure minicam waste of stock
• As the need arises, assist what development work with a specific group of clients attending under the therapeutic oversight of the OT.
• Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills

• The ability to cook nutritious meals and work creatively and ingeniously with all kinds of donations
• Experience with and passion for working with homeless individuals
• Experience in managing a kitchen, delegating and supervising tasks
• An emotionally mature individual who is not easily flustered.

Personal attributes

• Passion for U-turn's mission and values.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Empathetic individual that can maintain emotional boundaries and maintain healthy, supportive relationships with extremely marginalised and disenfranchised individuals
• Creative individual with strong problem-solving skills

Organisational Fit (where applicable)

• If in recovery - actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practising recovery behaviour
• If employed as a Professional - affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
• Gospel orientation - connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action

Next Steps

Candidates interested in this position should apply online at letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered.IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person