Head Mashgiach & Kashrut Coordinator

Job Title: Head Mashgiach & Kashrut Coordinator

Role Overview:

The Vaad HaKashruth of Kansas City is seeking a dynamic, solution-oriented leader to oversee our Kashrut standards and community food services. This is a pivotal role for a professional who combines deep technical expertise in industrial and commercial Kashrut with the ability to manage complex interpersonal and business relationships. You will act as the primary authority on our standards, ensuring excellence for the community while fostering cooperative partnerships with local businesses and commercial producers.

Why Join Us:

We are looking for someone to elevate our operational standards. If you are an experienced Mashgiach who is ready to move beyond "monitoring" and into "leading," this role offers the autonomy to streamline supervision workflows, influence our community’s food ecosystem, and provide high-level guidance to our local partners.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Operational Leadership & Supervision

• Team Oversight: Lead and mentor our team of Mashgichim. Oversee scheduling for ongoing commercial accounts (e.g., Hen House, Village Shalom, local cafés) and high-impact events (weddings, banquets, community gatherings).
• Standards & Quality Control: Serve as the technical expert for the Vaad. Ensure all on-site staff are fully trained on equipment usage, hazard identification, and infestation protocols.
• Conflict Resolution: Act as a diplomatic bridge between business operators, chefs, and Mashgichim to resolve tensions and ensure a respectful, professional working environment.

2. Stakeholder & Commercial Engagement

• Strategic Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for commercial producers and local food businesses. Focus on building "win-win" relationships that help our partners navigate kosher requirements while maintaining their operational efficiency.
• Industrial Oversight: Lead technical assessments of new or existing production facilities. Determine appropriate frequency of oversight, feasibility of production, and ensure robust compliance with national standards (e.g., AKO, cRc, OU).
• Expert Resource: Act as the go-to resource for the community, providing clear, authoritative guidance on Kashrut standards for both institutional and private entities.

3. Program Integrity

• Certification Management: Oversee the integrity of our annual certification process, ensuring all documentation (Schedule A/B, certificates) is current, accurate, and consistently audited.
• Knowledge Management: Maintain our database of approved symbols and products, ensuring our local standards remain credible and aligned with broader national benchmarks.

Qualifications:

• Technical Proficiency: Extensive professional experience (10+ years preferred) in Kashrut supervision, with a strong, demonstrable understanding of industrial food production, equipment (steam, heat, CIP systems), and modern processing methods.
• Leadership Presence: Proven track record in project management, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement. You are a communicator who can translate complex requirements into actionable solutions.
• Professional Alignment: Rabbinic Ordination is required, along with the ability to represent the Vaad with professionalism and tact across all segments of the community.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to balance competing priorities, manage technical oversight, and implement efficient operational workflows without supervision.

Salary and benefits negotiable commesurate to experience. Commission bonus structure available.