Help Build Something From the Ground Up
Mill Street Market is a startup community hub currently under development in Hastings, Michigan. We are creating a unique campus that combines a Farm Stop Market & Cafe, Commercial Teaching & Incubator Kitchen, Culinary Education Programs, Child Development Center, and community gathering spaces.
We are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader to help launch and lead our Kitchen and Culinary Education programs.
This is not simply a kitchen management position. The Kitchen & Culinary Education Manager serves as a catalyst for food entrepreneurship, workforce development, culinary education, and small business growth.
If you enjoy building programs, creating partnerships, securing resources, supporting entrepreneurs, and turning ideas into action, this may be the opportunity for you.
What You'll Do
- Lead development of culinary education and workforce training programs
- Recruit, mentor, and support food entrepreneurs utilizing the incubator kitchen
- Build partnerships with schools, colleges, workforce organizations, chefs, farmers, and community partners
- Identify and support grant, sponsorship, and fundraising opportunities
- Coordinate classes, workshops, certifications, and community programming
- Help entrepreneurs access business development resources and technical assistance
- Oversee commercial and incubator kitchen operations
- Collaborate with the Farm Stop Market & Cafe on local food initiatives and prepared foods programming
- Assist with program budgets, reporting, and impact measurement
- Help build systems, policies, and programs in a startup environment
We're Looking For Someone With Experience In
- Entrepreneurship, small business development, or economic development
- Culinary arts, food systems, hospitality, or kitchen leadership
- Education, workforce development, or community programming
- Partnership development and community engagement
- Grant writing, fundraising, or program development
- Project management and program implementation
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in startup, nonprofit, educational, or mission-driven environments
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to work independently and wear multiple hats
- ServSafe Certification (or willingness to obtain)
- CPR/First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain)
Why Mill Street Market?
This is a rare opportunity to help build a first-of-its-kind rural community development project focused on food systems, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community wellness.
You'll help shape programs, partnerships, and opportunities that directly support local businesses, farmers, families, and future entrepreneurs.
Compensation & Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Professional development opportunities
- Benefits package in development as organization grows
To Apply
Please submit:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Expected Start Date: September 2026
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Application Question(s):
- Have you ever helped build a new program, department, business, or initiative from the ground up? If yes, breifly describe your role.
- This position requires a mix of operations, education, partnership development, and entrepreneurship support. Which area best describes your strongest skill set?
-Kitchen Operations
-Culinary Education
-Business Development
-Community Partnerships
-Food Entrepreneurship Support
-Program Management
- Mill Street Market operates as a community-focused food hub with programming, classes, events, kitchen rentals, and retail operations that may occur during evenings and weekends. While schedules will vary, this position should expect a flexible work schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and special events as needed.
Are you able and willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends?
Experience:
- Child Nutrition Programming: 1 year (Preferred)
- leading a Commercial Kitchen : 1 year (Preferred)
- providing Culinary Education: 1 year (Preferred)
- creating spaces with Workforce Development: 1 year (Preferred)
- successful Grant Writing: 1 year (Required)
- promoting Food System/Local Food: 1 year (Preferred)
- organizing and leading Shared Use/Incubator Kitchens: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Hastings, MI: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
