Director of Food and Nutrition

Urgent Recruiting; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Urgent Recruiting seeks a Director of Food and Nutrition to lead a district-wide food service program, ensuring nutritional integrity and high-quality service. You will manage budgets, supervise staff, and coordinate with administrators to align with policy and program goals.

Ideal candidate has 5+ years in large-scale food service management, strong budget skills, and ServSafe certification. Strong communication and leadership are essential for successful district collaboration.

Qualifications

• Masters degree or higher in a relevant field (Management, Administration and Supervision, Nutrition or Public Health).
• Certified in ServSafe and/or Food Handlers License is required.
• 5+ years of experience managing large-scale school or institutional food service with supervisory and financial responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for a district-wide food service program emphasizing customer satisfaction, nutritional integrity and product quality.
• Oversee fiscal integrity of the program and develop/monitor annual budgets.
• Supervise records maintenance and staff positions descriptions; recruit, interview and retain food service management staff.
• Advise on policy development and present to the Board when necessary.
• Implement HACCP and Biosecurity plans to reduce food-related illness risk.

Skills

Budget management

Leadership

Communication

MS Office

Education

Master's degree in Management, Administration and Supervision, Nutrition or Public Health

Tools

ServSafe certification

Job description

About the job Director of Food and Nutrition

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Masters degree in Management, Administration and Supervision, Nutrition or Public Health required.
2. ServSafe certification and/or Food Handlers License required.
3. Five (5) or more years of experience in the management of large- scale food service unit involving the preparation of foods in large quantities. Supervisory and financial management experience in school or institutional food service operation.
4. Transparent and high integrity leadership.
5. Solid hands on budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
6. Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
7. Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
8. Superb computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint).

BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide leadership in implementing a district wide food service program that focuses on customer satisfaction, nutritional integrity and product quality.
2. Responsible for the fiscal integrity of program.
3. Supervise the maintenance of departmental records and files.
4. Establish measurable program goals and annual objectives.
5. Develop and monitor annual program budget.
6. Prepare and develop food service staff positions descriptions including recommended qualifications.
7. Advise the School Business Administrator on food and nutrition related policy development and present when necessary to the Board.
8. Use problem solving and conflict resolution techniques to facilitate organizational change.
9. Provide recommendations for food service labor agreement and participate on the labor negotiation team.
10. Responsible for monitoring the process for recruiting, hiring and training food services employees and per diems.
11. Responsible for recruiting, interviewing and retention of competent and qualified food service management team. Supervise Sr. Nutrition Coordinators and office staff.
12. Utilize technology and information systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the food service operation.
13. Strategic planning and implementation.
14. Implement equipment preventive maintenance plan.
15. Implement a cost effective procurement and inventory control system.
16. Develop purchasing guidelines to ensure purchased food and supplies are compliant with Child Nutrition, customer preference, district needs, policies and nutritional objectives.
17. Prepare request for proposals.
18. Review and approve contracts for services.
19. Research industry trends to assure development of cost effective menus that maintain nutritional integrity and program guidelines.
20. Oversee the implementation of HACCP and BIOSECURITY Plan to reduce the risk of food related illness.
21. Integrate employee safety requirements into the food service operation.
22. Follow code of ethics in procurement, handling of confidential information and personal conduct.
23. Monitor the health, sanitary and safety conditions of food service operations.
24. Ensures the proper preparation, serving and storage of food items.
25. Assure compliance with regulatory agency guidelines and policies.
26. Provides input in food service facility design and remodeling.
27. Communicate with administrators, District personnel and contractors to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information; works with community groups, media and students to increase understanding and support for the program.
28. Perform other duties and tasks assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of Child Nutrition Program and food safety regulations.
2. Knowledge of personnel management and labor relations.
3. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
4. Ability to interface and engage diverse populations.
5. Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.
6. Ability to assess program needs, develop long range goals, and annual objectives.
7. Ability to apply the principles of financial management in the development and monitoring of annual program budgets.
8. Ability to establish menu planning guidelines which meets the nutritional requirements of the program, including customer satisfaction and budgetary parameters.
9. Ability to develop and maintain a system of food and supply procurement that aligns with purchasing requirements and the needs of the program.
10. Ability to facilitate development of systems which ensure compliance with current Food Code, HACCP and Bio Security requirements.
11. Knowledge of food service equipment and the principles of kitchen layouts and design.
12. Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationship.
13. Ability to apply a variety of problem solving and conflict resolution techniques to successfully manage organizational change.
14. Knowledge and ability to support nutrition education and wellness initiatives.
15. Knowledge of dietary requirements for children with special needs, including children with life threatening food allergies.
16. Ability to apply marketing techniques to promote the program.