Assistant Manager - Middle Country School Nutrition

whitsonsculinarygroup; Centereach (NY); On-site; USD 2,566,000 - 3,471,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Whitsons Culinary Group is seeking an Assistant Food Service Manager to support daily operations in our school nutrition program. You will help lead teams, ensure meals meet nutrition standards, and assist with scheduling, inventory, and compliance.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, training, and on-site presence in schools, with a focus on food safety and customer service for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, communication, and time management skills.
• Experience in school nutrition or institutional settings preferred.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain is required.

Responsibilities

• Support GM in day-to-day operations across multiple school kitchens.
• Help lead a team that prepares and serves nutritious meals to students.
• Assist with scheduling, inventory, food safety, and compliance with USDA programs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Associates degree with relevant experience

High School diploma with 5 years experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

OpenTable

POS systems

Budgeting

Job description

Assistant Food Service Manager – Support, Lead & Grow in School Nutrition!

School Dining Support & Leadership

Are you a hands-on food service professional with a heart for helping teams succeed? Join our school nutrition team as an Assistant Food Service Manager, whereyou’llsupport daily operations, ensure compliance, and help deliver healthy meals that fuel student success.

WhatYou’llDo:

• Support the General Manager in overseeing day-to-day operations across multiple school kitchens
• Help lead a team that prepares and serves nutritious, high-quality meals to students
• Assistwith scheduling, inventory, food safety, and compliance with USDA nutrition programs (NSLP, SBP, etc.)
• Serve as a key point of contact for school staff and clients in the absence of the General Manager
• Train, mentor, and support team members to promote a positive and productive kitchen culture
• Monitor budgetary goals, help manage costs, and ensure effective use of commodities
• Assistwith audits, inspections, and ensure kitchens are always ready for review
• Be present in the schools—80% of your day will be spent in action, supporting your teams on-site

We’reLooking For:

• 3+ years of food service management experience, preferably in a K–12 or institutional setting
• A culinary background with working knowledge of recipes, production, andportioncontrol
• Strong communication, leadership, and time management skills
• Knowledge of USDA meal programs and local health department guidelines
• Ability to multi-task, think critically, and solve problems on the go
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and email communication
• ServSafecertificationrequired (or ability to obtain)
• Spanish-speaking a plus!

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary and professional growth opportunities
• Family-friendly schedule –Monday through Friday, nonightsor weekends
• Health, dental, vision insurance + 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Make a meaningful difference in students’ health, well-being, and success

About Us:

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we believe school meals should be delicious, nutritious, and made with purpose. As an Assistant Food Service Manager,you’llhelp lead the charge in creating a food program that’s more than just meals—it’sa key part of every student’s day. Your leadership and support will ensure that kitchens run smoothly, teams feel empowered, and students leave the lunch line ready to thrive.

$1275.75/week

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with concentration or certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary art s, busine ss or a related field. OR
• Associates degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field AND at least one year of relevant school nutrition programs experience. OR
• High School diploma AND at least Five (5) years' experience in school nutrition programs.

Experience:

• 3 years experience in Food Service Management as a Manager/Manager required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in K-12 programs required. Strong interest in school nutrition program development.

Certifications:

• ServSafe Mandatory–Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local health and food safety ordinances.

Technical Proficiency

• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and reservation management software such as OpenTable
• Proficiency in budgeting, financial reporting, cost analysis, and understanding of profit margins and revenue optimization strategies
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for scheduling, payroll, reporting, and communication
• Understanding of labor laws, employment regulations, and compliance requirements related to employee management and workplace safety

Other Qualifications:

• Culinary background is required - Must have a passion and an interest in food
• Working knowledge of cooking procedures and recipe adherence and scaling
• Bilingual Spanish is highly desirable

Core Competencies