Nutrition Services | Senior Manager | Elementary Operations

PURPOSE

The Senior Manager of Elementary Operations leads all school-based Nutrition Services operations across elementary sites ensuring consistent compliant and efficient meal service within the elementary satellite model. This position supervises elementary cafeteria managers, owns segment-level performance and accountability, and drives participation growth—particularly breakfast—through disciplined execution of standardized procedures, staffing readiness, and service quality.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management, Business, Hospitality, Nutrition, or a related field or three to five (3-5) years of progressive supervisory/operations experience in food service, school nutrition, hospitality, retail, or a comparable multi-unit service environment in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, evaluating, and developing site-based managers in a multi-location operation.
• Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements; knowledge of USDA school meal program operations preferred.
• Ability to analyze operational data (participation, labor, service issues) and translate findings into practical improvements and measurable results.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to provide clear direction, manage conflict professionally, and hold people accountable.
• Proficiency with office productivity tools and ability to learn and operate district systems (e.g., LINQ, UKG, and related tools).
• Food Safety Training Certification (must obtain within 30 days of employment).
• Valid Indiana driver's license and ability to travel between district sites.

Essential Functions

• Lead all elementary Nutrition Services operations across satellite sites ensuring readiness, service execution, and consistent implementation of department SOPs, standard work, and operational expectations; serve as the day-to-day operational point of contact with building administrators for assigned elementary sites, escalating strategic or relationship-level concerns to the Director.
• Supervise and evaluate elementary cafeteria managers; set clear performance expectations, conduct evaluations, provide coaching and mentoring, and initiate corrective or disciplinary action in coordination with the Director of School Operations and HR.
• Own elementary segment performance including participation rates, claimed meal volume, service quality, and operational consistency; identify underperforming sites, diagnose root causes, and implement targeted improvement actions.
• Lead consistent execution of the elementary breakfast service model (breakfast-in-the-classroom and late breakfast access) including forecasting, discipline, distribution routines, accountability, and end-of-service procedures to maximize participation and minimize waste.
• Manage staffing readiness across assigned sites by partnering with cafeteria managers to address call-offs, vacancies, and daily adjustments; coordinate relief coverage needs with the Assistant Director's dispatch process to maintain uninterrupted service.
• Conduct routine site observations to verify service quality, speed of service, customer service behaviors, food safety practices, and adherence to standardized procedures; ensure corrective actions are documented and completed.
• Ensure compliance with USDA meal pattern standards, offer-versus-serve requirements, food safety/HACCP protocols, civil rights requirements, and district wellness practices across all elementary sites; support audit readiness through consistent documentation and follow-through.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training of elementary cafeteria managers; partner with the Field Performance & Training Lead to ensure managers complete required certifications and skill development aligned with department standards.
• Collaborate with the Participation & Student Experience Lead and Field Performance & Training Lead on elementary-specific initiatives and system implementations; own the execution of approved systems and interventions within the elementary segment and ensure managers adopt and sustain them as designed.
• Monitor site-level financial indicators within the elementary segment including labor utilization and food cost alignment; flag variances and recommend adjustments to the Director of School Operations.
• Provide on-call support as needed for urgent food-safety situations across school sites (e.g., equipment/power issues) including coordination, escalation, and documentation per SOPs.
• Provide regular reports to the Director of School Operations on elementary segment performance including participation trends, staffing metrics, site observations, compliance status, and corrective action follow-through.
• Support the FWCS Schools of Success mission to empower all students to reach their potential through equitable and relevant community-connected experiences to ensure students achieve at least one of the 4E’s—(Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, or Entrepreneurship.)
• Positively promote and embody the FWCS Schools of Success six core competencies in our daily work: Creativity and Innovation, Critical and Analytical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Cultural Agility, and Self-Direction.

Physical Requirements

• Communication Skills: Ability to speak clearly and hear effectively in various environments.
• Manual Dexterity: Adeptness in the use of hands and fingers.
• Postural Endurance: Sit or stand for prolonged periods as the job requires.
• Flexibility: Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch to perform specific duties.
• Visual Acuity: Close vision ability with the capacity to adjust focus.
• Mobile: Freedom to sit or walk at will throughout the work environment.
• Strength and Stamina: Capability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to forty (40) pounds or more.
• Outdoor Work: Tolerance of work outside in various weather conditions.