Operations and Food Planning Coordinator

About the Oven

At the Front Street Community Oven, we believe that everyone deserves connection and belonging. We  build peace and understanding across diversity through the process of baking and breaking bread together.

Our vision is a community where everyone belongs. Our mission is to create a joyful space to cook together, eat together, and share stories. Through the magic of food and fire we re-imagine what it is to connect to each other and the land.

The Front Street Community Oven has operated at Robie Tufts park in the heart of Wolfville since 2019. We host programming where people of all backgrounds connect over the shared activity of cooking and eating together over fire – in a safe, welcoming, intentionally facilitated space. This is more than a community supper. Connecting to each other and the land in this way allows us to address complex social issues in a nourishing and transformative way.

We are guided by core values of Community, Inclusion & Diversity, Accountability, and Lifelong Learning. To learn more about us, please visit www.frontstreetoven.ca 

Role Summary 

Front Street Community Oven is looking for an independent contractor to serve as Operations and Food Planning Coordinator. This role will plan and deliver weekly Community Cookouts that take place every Thursday during the months of June – September from 4pm – 8 p.m. This is 4-month contract from May 25th – October 2nd 2026, with possibility of extension and renewal. 

Please note: This is a contractor position, not an employment role. The hours associated with this role have been intentionally designed and refined over four years to support both efficiency, creativity, and contractor wellbeing. Even with the breadth of the work, the consistency and repetition of the weekly system, plus the room for creativity and fun, creates a sustainable rhythm. 

Responsibilities 

This role requires a stewarding lens as we cook with people, not for people. It is focused on creating opportunities for community members to participate in the cooking process. 

Event Preparation and Planning

• Oversee weekly cookout planning logistics including timelines, menus, food, equipment and budget
• Calculate food quantities for 90-150 people and coordinate food and material procurement with suppliers accordingly
• Communicate with team and volunteers to confirm weekly food and procurement plans, supply needs, and equipment requirements
• Maintain inventory of food, cleaning, and event supplies; restock as needed
• Maintain oversight of budget, track expenses, submit receipts/invoices, and support basic reporting
• Arrange for WFM2GO and gift cards for volunteer snacks and meals
• Identify opportunities to improve flow, efficiency, and participant experience
• Integrate weekly learnings into evolving practices 

Event Delivery 

• Serve as operations and food delivery coordination for day of Community Cookouts events (weekly on Thursdays, 4:00–8:00 PM) setting up equipment and site with an attention on safety.
• Ensure food stations are fully set up with ingredients, tools,  including clear and accessible recipe instructions, materials, and guidance 
• Help develop gluten free and allergy free cooking station with volunteers
• Track participation, meals served, and key outcomes for simple reporting and reflection
• Split and prepare firewood as required for events
• Keep storage and supply areas organized and functional

• Support Lead Facilitator with smooth timing and facilitation of event as needed

• Help maintain and refine SOPs to improve consistency and ease

Communications & Promotions

• Draft simple food descriptions/invitation for online promotional content (social media, newsletters, event listings) and pass them to the Summer Event Coordinator to add to promotions
• Ensure food descriptions are up to date on website and event calendars with support from Summer Event Coordinator

Desired Qualities and Skills

Qualities

• Detail-oriented and reliable, notices what is missing before it becomes a problem
• Practical and hands-on, enjoys physical tasks and working with materials (wood, food, supplies)

• Proactive and self-directed, takes initiative without needing close supervision 

• Steady and consistent, follows through on routine tasks week after week 

• Resourceful and adaptable, finds ways to make things work with what is available 

• Humble, comfortable working behind the scenes to support group success

• Organized and systems minded, naturally brings order to spaces and processes

• Adaptable, comfortable adjusting plans in real time
• Calm, able to stay centered in a dynamic, fast-paced settings
• Clear communicator, able to convey a plan to team and volunteers 
• Genuine appreciation of people, food, and community-building!

Skills

• Food facilitation (you know how to lead cooking workshops and set up the space for participatory cooking)
• Recipe planning for 90-150 people 
• Procurement of food and supplies 
• Inventory management: use and maintain simple systems for tracking inventory, supplies, and responsibilities
• Maintenance of clean, functional, and well-organized storage systems
• Ability to engage in physical tasks (e.g., lifting, carrying, wood handling)
• Familiarity with basic digital tools (email, spreadsheets, ordering platforms)
• Maintain systems for tracking inventory, supplies, and participation 
• Drafting of simple, inviting promotional content/food descriptions and updates (e.g. cancellations, changes) across platforms
• Communication that is clear in verbal and written communications 

• Able to step into event support or facilitation when needed 

Ideal Candidates will have…

• 1-3 years of experience in food operations, logistics, event support, hospitality, or a similar hands-on role
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplies, inventory, or physical resources in a consistent and organized way
• Experience supporting events or community programs (behind-the-scenes roles especially valuable)
• Experience using simple systems and tools (e.g., spreadsheets, ordering platforms, email coordination)
• Experience in cooking with volunteers
• Experience with cooking and/or baking at a 90-150 person scale
• Up-to-date food handling certification for Nova Scotia (we can pay for recertification if needed)
• Comfort with physical work including lifting, carrying, working outdoors in variable conditions (lifting 14-18kg/30+ pounds), comfortable with high heat fire and propane cooking
• Ability to work independently and follow through on recurring weekly responsibilities
• A passion for community building 
• A passion for cooking and food 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills 
• Strong communication and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people
• Experience with community/social services sector through work or volunteer experience an asset
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for procurement of supplies

Work Environment

The Community Oven is situated in Robie Tufts Park and operates during the summer months. Many events happen outdoors so staff must be comfortable being outdoors on cold, hot, and rainy days. We are a small team and you will work directly with the Executive Director, our wonderful volunteers, summer staff, and a few contractors. This role does require physical work (including lifting) and comfort being around fire, as well as computer based work, and requires driving with regular access to a vehicle.  

Benefits and Perks

• $40/hour plus HST (average of 8 hours per week, contractor role)
• Regular opportunities to connect with the community over shared meals and fun food learning opportunities. 
• A balanced mix of online and in-person work
• Learning opportunities in Thrivability, Belonging for all, next level emotional culture design as well as DEI learning opportunities. 
• A workplace that prioritizes a culture of relational leadership (ethics, purpose, process orientation, learning, and empowerment)

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter quoting “Operations and Food Planning Coordinator” in the subject line to HR@frontstreetoven.ca. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Statement of Intent

We encourage applications from Black, racialized and Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, and People with Disabilities. If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume and to share your pronouns. If you require any accommodations in submitting your application or navigating the process, please reach out to HR@frontstreetoven.ca