The Open Kitchen Coordinator - Manchester

Vacancy Reference: OKMC/PR/UK-R1

Type: Full-Time

Duration: 6-Months’ Fixed-Term Contract (with a 3-Month Probationary Period)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: up to £35,000 per year

Location: Greater Manchester, on-site at The Open Kitchen

Deadline: 12/02/2026

The Open Kitchen is a community-led initiative tackling food poverty and social isolation across the UK. Our kitchens, based in Hounslow (London), Nottingham, and Manchester, provide free, hot, and nutritious meals to individuals and families affected by homelessness, low income, or displacement as refugees.

Operating seven days a week, the Open Kitchen offers more than just food it provides a safe, welcoming space where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Each kitchen also serves as a community support hub, distributing essential household items and sleeping bags to those in need.

Through this initiative, we aim not only to alleviate hunger but also to connect service users with pathways to stability, empowerment, and independence.

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day activities within Open Kitchen Manchester, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Supervise and observe the cooking facility in the Manchester Open Kitchen, ensuring compliance with hygiene, health, and safety regulations.
• Manage food inventory, kitchen supplies, and procurement processes to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
• Ensure all food standards are followed.

Volunteer Coordination

• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to ensure effective service delivery and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Promote a positive and inclusive volunteer culture that reflects the values of compassion, respect, and community service.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with local food banks, the NHS, job centres, local councils, and rehousing services to offer holistic support to service users.
• Collaborate with community organisations, faith groups, and local businesses to strengthen the project’s reach and impact.
• Collaborating with strategic partners to drive the expansion of the open kitchen concept across multiple locations.
• Leading fundraising initiatives for the open kitchen and managing the facilitation of in-kind donations.
• Represent the Open Kitchen at community events and stakeholder meetings to promote collaboration and visibility.

Beneficiary Support

• Identify service users who may benefit from additional assistance, including access to healthcare, employment, housing, or welfare services.
• Coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure referrals and follow-ups are managed effectively.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure all operational, financial, and compliance records are maintained accurately.
• Monitor performance indicators such as meals served, volunteer hours, and beneficiary outcomes, and report regularly to the management team.
• Support the continuous improvement of service quality and community impact.
• Create and provide daily Open kitchen feedback reports to monitor beneficiary numbers and meal distributions.

  Application is by CV and covering letter by email to hr@muslimhands.org.uk