Child Nutrition Operations Specialist

YES Prep Public Schools; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

YES Prep Public Schools is seeking a Child Nutrition Operations Specialist to supervise nutrition program compliance and oversee food operations across multiple campuses in Houston, TX. Immediate start with a 12-month term and competitive compensation.

You will coordinate events, manage vendor data, and ensure accurate meal counting and regulatory submissions while supporting wellness initiatives and district programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with 3–4 years of professional experience.
• At least 2 years in a fast-paced office environment with proven results.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and available transportation to travel to campuses.
• Flexible hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; ability to work outside normal hours and on weekends as needed.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 15 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Visit YES Prep cafeterias regularly (at least 4 days per week); personal transportation is required.
• Owning compliance with state and local health department guidelines by monitoring all assigned sites.
• Plan and execute Child Nutrition events, including budgeting and implementation.
• Research procurement to meet campus-based needs.
• Manage daily and monthly CN program edit checks for accurate counting and claiming of meals.
• Coordinate data needed for FSMC vendor functionality across campuses.
• Use data, observations, and records to identify trends and improve operations.
• Assist in managing student eligibility and submission processes.

Skills

Organizational skills

People skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

High School Diploma + 3–4 years experience

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Word

Job description

Description Job Description

POSITION: Child Nutrition Operations Specialist

REPORTS TO: Child Nutrition Operations Manager

POSITION TYPE: 12-month

START DATE: Immediate

COMPENSATION: $54,911-$65,894, Home Office Grade 4

At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.

Some Quick Stats About Us

• 21,000 Students
• 2,600 Team Members
• 16 Secondary Campuses
• 12 Elementary Campuses
• 91% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
• 96% Hispanic & African-American Students
• 99% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
• 85% First-Generation College Students
• Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report

We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston's city limits serving our increasing population.

THE OPPORTUNITY

YES Prep needs a dynamic Child Nutrition Operations Specialist with a robust set of experiences, to make our mission a reality. As a YES Prep employee, you will achieve jaw-dropping results, create pathways to opportunity for our students, and build transformative relationships.

To put it simply, you will supervise the implementation of the Child Nutrition policies and guidelines as set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) while creating and implementing seamless food operations for our students.

THE ROLE

When you join the YES Prep team, some of the work and responsibilities will include:

• Visiting YES Prep cafeterias regularly (at least 4 days per week); personal transportation is required;
• Owning compliance with state and local health department guidelines by monitoring all assigned sites;
• Planning and executing Child Nutrition events, including National Child Nutrition events such as National School Breakfast Week and National School Lunch Week, parent nights, student menu tastings, and campus staff wellness initiatives; including budgeting and implementation;
• Researching procurement and acquiring resources to meet campus-based needs;
• Managing and improving daily and monthly Child Nutrition Program edit checks to ensure proper counting and claiming of program meals;
• Managing the field trip lunch tracker with FSMC vendor and processes for all YES Prep campuses by coordinating the delivery of school data needed for Full Service Management Company (food vendor) functionality;
• Using data, site observations, production records, and compliance findings to identify trends, diagnose programmatic challenges and recommend operational and compliance improvements;
• Implementing targeted improvement plans across an assigned cohort of campuses and monitoring results to achieve strategic, Child Nutrition goals;
• Assisting in management of the student eligibility process – processing family income forms and/or Free and Reduced Lunch Applications;
• Identifying service challenges and partnering with Sodexo and campus leadership, ensure issues are resolved;
• Managing regulatory submissions to and conducting required breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper and onsite monitoring visits of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program;
• Coordinating, responding, and following up with the City of Houston bi-annual health inspections, and permit renewal management;
• Maintaining functional operations of Child Nutrition technology including POS computers systems, digital menu boards, tablets, etc. and providing onsite and remote support as needed;
• Supervising the Child Nutrition Lunch Program Monitors and planning associated trainings, onboarding, and monthly processing of payroll;
• Conducting, participating in and implementing the district wellness program and ensuring compliance annually;
• Responding to program emergencies, such as food shortages, customer service complaints, and administrative meeting requests;
• Additional duties as assigned.

THE PERSON

We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through for our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, resilience, and humility. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:

THE MUST HAVES

• Bachelor’s degree OR High School Diploma plus 3-4 years of professional experience
• At least 2 years of experience working in a fast-paced office environment and producing exemplary results
• A valid driver's license, good driving record and available transportation during the entire workday to travel to campuses throughout the district
• Reliable transportation (mileage is reimbursed)
• Flexible work hours between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Ability to work outside of normal hours and on weekends, as needed
• Experience in working in operations
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook (Word and Excel)
• Ability to anticipate and resolve problems
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality
• Must be able to lift and move up to 15 pounds, including, but not limited to, carrying food items and loading cars
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Creates and maintains positive working relationships on a team and/or in a highly collaborative environment
• A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
• Excellent organizational and people skills