Youth Center Kitchen Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Youth Center Kitchen Manager directs all food handling activities of the food service employees in the Youth Center during the Wisconsin State Fair, ensuring necessary sanitary standards are met. The Manager orders all necessary food, and non‑food supplies for that time period. The kitchen serves three meals a day for the 11‑day Wisconsin State Fair. They will coordinate non‑fair food service activities as needed.

This position is an unclassified, seasonal Limited Term Employment (LTE) position within the State of Wisconsin employment system. It is a full‑time position during the 11‑day annual Wisconsin State Fair, including weekends. Additional work hours are required before and after the fair. Annual hours worked will not exceed 1039.

The starting wage for this role will be $20.00–$23.00 per hour, based on experience.

This position is open to all qualified State of Wisconsin residents who meet the outlined criteria.

• Maintain a safe working environment.
• Ensure basic safe food handling procedures, including the preparation, service and storage of various types of food, are followed by all food service employees.
• Develop a food service program for the 11‑day Wisconsin State Fair.
• Maintain adequate supplies of food and non‑food items to meet production needs.
• Coordinate food service operations.
• Verify that the quantity, quality and price of items received correspond to purchase orders.
• Implement food cost control procedures to prevent loss due to theft, spoilage, over‑production and waste.
• Maintain standards of production efficiency by food service employees to prevent excessive labor costs.
• Maintain an atmosphere in the food service facility that promotes customer satisfaction and professional behavior of employees.
• Maintain the Youth Center food service facility in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition.
• Communicate with the Youth Center Operations Manager daily to implement any needed changes or upgrades.
• Provide staff with appropriate training.
• Assure sanitation standards are being met through use of cleaning schedules.
• Keep an accurate inventory of kitchen equipment & products.

• Must have previous commercial kitchen manager experience.
• Must have current Serv Safe Manager Certification.
• Excellent management & organizational skills.
• Proficiency in sanitation & workplace safety.
• Knowledge of proper staffing techniques with ability to determine staffing needs and properly staff the operation.
• Experience with food ordering & food production.
• Knowledge of the proper use of tools and equipment used in food preparation and service.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

The candidate must be able to work all 11 days of the annual Wisconsin State Fair. Prior to appointment to this position, the candidate may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check. Candidates must have the ability to stand or walk for long periods of time on hard floors, the ability to lift pans of prepared food weighing up to 40 pounds, the ability to bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 pounds when storing and stocking equipment and food products.

Applicants should submit their application below. Your resume may be attached in lieu of submitting an employment application. Application materials must be received by Sunday, February 8, 2026. The most qualified applicants will be invited to interview.

Wisconsin State Fair Park is a year‑round entertainment venue, hosting activities, events, meetings and more throughout the four seasons. Home to the Exposition Center, Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center, the Milwaukee Mile Speedway, WI Products Pavilion, and many other facilities, hundreds of events are held at the Fair Park each year. The Wisconsin State Fair welcomes more than one million Fairgoers over 11 summer days.

Visit  for more information. Wisconsin State Fair Park’s central location within the largest metro area in Wisconsin makes it a desirable place to work, live, and play. As a world‑class city, Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Area are full of opportunities for living, working, and playing. Visit  for more information.

All Limited Term and Seasonal Employment Positions, including those for the annual Wisconsin State Fair, require Wisconsin Residency, as defined in § 6.10(1), at the time of application and throughout employment with Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Wisconsin State Fair Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.