General Manager - Child Nutrition

About the role

In this leadership role, you will oversee daily food service operations, ensuring exceptional quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. You’ll guide and develop your team while managing financial performance and building strong relationships with clients and customers to support sustained success. Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Responsibilities

• Lead dining operations across multiple K-12 school sites in Monmouth County
• Ensure exceptional service, financial performance, and student satisfaction
• Partner with district stakeholders to drive innovation, strengthen community engagement, and elevate program visibility
• Deliver high-quality dining experiences that support student wellness and academic success
• Manage daily food service operations for quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction
• Guide and develop team members while managing financial performance
• Build strong relationships with clients and customers
• Set direction, deploy resources, and conduct performance evaluations, pay reviews, and hiring/firing decisions
• Influence and negotiate across the organization to achieve results

Requirements

• Associate’s degree with academic major in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or a related field
• 3 years of management experience
• 4 years of related experience

Qualifications

• Proven success leading USDA-regulated K-12 school nutrition programs with responsibility for multi-site operations, budgets, compliance, food quality, labor management, and achieving strong operational results
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills combined with a passion for innovation, community involvement, team development, and creating positive experiences for students, families, and district partners
• Proven experience in food service management or directorship, preferably in large or complex settings
• Leadership skills with a track record of building positive team culture, employee retention, and staff development
• Solid financial expertise, including budgeting, cost control, and performance analysis
• Hands-on, results-oriented approach with the skillset to support and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work cross-functionally and maintain strong client relationships

Pay

Pay Range: $77,605 per year - $100,430 per year. Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary. Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training.

Benefits

• Day-one benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Retirement savings programs (401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions)
• Career growth opportunities and tuition reimbursement
• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• Company Holidays
• Schedule that supports work-life balance
• Lead a highly visible school nutrition program with direct influence on student wellness, customer satisfaction, operational success, and long-term program growth
• Incentive bonus potential
• Experience managing large-scale, fast-paced food service operations
• Influence team growth through coaching, engagement, and professional development opportunities
• Collaborate across departments to innovate and improve service delivery
• Be part of a mission-driven organization focused on nutrition, customer care, and operational success