Director of School Nutrition

About the role

The Director oversees the School Nutrition Program and cafeteria operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and district regulations. They lead the planning, coordination, and administration of the program, recruit and train staff, and manage the budget.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and directs the school nutrition program and cafeteria operations
• Recruits, tests, and interviews applicants for cafeteria and school nutrition positions
• Develops and coordinates employee orientation and training programs
• Collects, reviews, and verifies fiscal and inventory records for cafeteria operations
• Administers and monitors the annual departmental budget
• Orders, plans menus, and coordinates work schedules
• Develops and administers accurate accounting procedures and records for proper control and management of money, labor, food consumed, supplies, and other costs
• Visits schools to observe and analyze operations, make suggestions, merchandise the program, and monitor compliance requirements
• Supervises cafeteria managers to ensure consistency, compliance, and continuous program improvement
• Works with consultants/advisors to achieve the District's established goals for the School Nutrition Department
• Supervises the daily counting of monies received, balance with records, and approving deposits to bank
• Develops and administers procedures for properly receiving, storing, and distributing food supplies
• Keeps informed of equipment improvements for school nutrition program and updates equipment to sustain efficiency and economy
• Establishes and maintains records necessary for the proper use, care, and maintenance of equipment
• Utilizes nutrition management software and financial systems to monitor operations, analyze data, maintain records, and improve departmental efficiency
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Management Team

Requirements

• Education and Training: A Bachelor’s degree in a qualifying field, or a Bachelor’s degree in any field with a state-recognized certificate for School Nutrition Directors, or an Associate’s degree in a related field with relevant school nutrition or food service experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience: Experience in school food service management or a related leadership role is preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications: Completion of at least eight (8) hours of food safety training within five (5) years prior to hire or within thirty (30) calendar days of employment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Principles and methods of planning and preparing nutritionally sound meals in large quantities for school children; Legal requirements of the school lunch program and food service operations; Proper sanitation and safety requirements pertaining to food establishments; Establishment and maintenance of accounting records and related business techniques employed in a school cafeteria system.
• Skills: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a departmental operation consisting of multiple work sites and a large number of staff personnel; Order and distribute large quantities of food and supplies to meet, but not exceed, departmental needs and maintain the budget’s guidelines; Keep accurate records and prepare a variety of financial reports and budgets; Communicate effectively in both oral and written form; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.