Nutrition Services Assistant Director - Operations and Special Programs

Robbinsdale Area Schools; New Hope (MN); On-site; USD 84,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Robbinsdale Area Schools is seeking an Nutrition Services Assistant Director of Operations & Special Programs to lead district-wide food program delivery, vendor coordination, and big-picture menu/system rollout. You will supervise staff, monitor compliance, and optimize kitchen operations to uphold quality and cost controls across multiple sites.

The role requires experience in K-12 food service, USDA program knowledge, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Food Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, Business, or a related area (or equivalent combination of education and progressive experience).
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant K-12 school food service experience, including direct supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with vendors and distributors to coordinate ordering operations, delivery schedules, product availability, and product specifications across all district sites.
• Direct central operational workflows, inventory control, and food cost tracking to maintain department fiscal integrity.
• Advise and supervise site staff on efficient food production methods, standardized recipes, cost control, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Conduct annual USDA site monitoring reviews across all school sites to ensure regulatory compliance, kitchen safety, and civil rights adherence.
• Menu Systems, Software Rollout, & A La Carte Management: Plan and execute menus for 15 elementary and secondary schools to meet or exceed USDA SBP and NSLP requirements.
• Oversee the district-wide A La Carte / Smart Snacks program—managing product selection, pricing structures, inventory velocity, and POS database setups.
• Ensure all a la carte items strictly comply with USDA Smart Snacks in School standards and local wellness policies across middle and high school sites.
• Maintain the district's nutrition software database—managing standardized recipes, nutrient analysis, allergen data, a la carte pricing, and serving-line rollout across all schools.
• Special Programs & Catering Management: Plan, train, coordinate, and oversee all operational and administrative aspects of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Coordinate, plan, and oversee all operational aspects of the district catering program, including prep, staffing logistics, and delivery execution.
• Supervise assigned department staff—leading hiring, personnel management, onboarding, and annual performance evaluations.
• Plan appropriate staff training focused on kitchen safety, equipment operation, cost management, a la carte merchandising, and efficient food prep techniques.
• Program Promotion & Communications: Maintain and promote school menus and a la carte offerings across district platforms.
• Manage nutrition communications and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter) to highlight operational successes and provide updates to the district marketing team.
• Perform other project management and operational duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Skills

Operational leadership

Software & data

Vendor & supply chain

Regulatory knowledge

Communication & reliability

Movement & mobility

Lifting & handling

Mix of settings

District travel

Vehicle requirement

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Food Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, Business, or related area

Minimum of three (3) years of relevant K-12 school food service experience

Tools

Nutrition analysis software

POS databases

Smart Snacks calculators

Job description

Nutrition Services Assistant Director - Operations and Special Programs JobID: 7868

• Position Type: Program Directors
• Date Posted: 9/8/2026
• Location: Education Service Center
• Date Available: as soon as possible

POSITION AVAILABLE
Nutrition Services Assistant Director - Operations & Special Programs
Program Directors Terms and Conditions of Employment
Job Level 4 ($84,360-$103,517 annually) plus benefits
52 weeks per year, 8 hours of paid time per day (may include occasional late afternoon/evening hours)
Reports to Nutrition Services Program Director
POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant Director of Operations & Special Programs serves as the primary operations lead for the department. This position manages district-wide menu rollout, vendor logistics, supply chains, a la carte programs, and specialized food programs (Summer Food Service Program, CACFP, and Catering). Working closely with the Director, this role ensures all kitchens run efficiently, meet federal compliance, and maintain high standards of food quality and service.

PROGRAMS MANAGED

USDA Child Nutrition Programs (NSLP, SBP, SFSP, CACFP), A La Carte/Smart Snacks, and District Catering

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work directly with vendors and distributors to coordinate ordering operations, delivery schedules, product availability, and product specifications across all district sites.
• Direct central operational workflows, inventory control, and food cost tracking to maintain department fiscal integrity.
• Advise and supervise site staff on efficient food production methods, standardized recipes, cost control, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Conduct annual USDA site monitoring reviews across all school sites to ensure regulatory compliance, kitchen safety, and civil rights adherence.
• Menu Systems, Software Rollout, & A La Carte Management
  • Plan and execute menus for 15 elementary and secondary schools to meet or exceed USDA SBP and NSLP requirements.
  • Oversee the district-wide A La Carte / Smart Snacks program�managing product selection, pricing structures, inventory velocity, and POS database setups.
  • Ensure all a la carte items strictly comply with USDA Smart Snacks in School standards and local wellness policies across middle and high school sites.
  • Maintain the district's nutrition software database�managing standardized recipes, nutrient analysis, allergen data, a la carte pricing, and serving-line rollout across all schools.
• Special Programs & Catering Management
  • Plan, train, coordinate, and oversee all operational and administrative aspects of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
  • Coordinate, plan, and oversee all operational aspects of the district catering program, including prep, staffing logistics, and delivery execution.
• Supervise assigned department staff�leading hiring, personnel management, onboarding, and annual performance evaluations.
• Plan appropriate staff training focused on kitchen safety, equipment operation, cost management, a la carte merchandising, and efficient food prep techniques.
• Program Promotion & Communications
  • Maintain and promote school menus and a la carte offerings across district platforms.
  • Manage nutrition communications and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter) to highlight operational successes and provide updates to the district marketing team.
  • Perform other project management and operational duties as assigned by the Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Associate degree with a major in Food Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, Business, or a related area (or equivalent combination of education and progressive experience).
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant K-12 school food service experience, including direct supervisory experience.

Certifications & Licenses:

• Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate required (or obtained within the first 3 months of hire).
• Valid MN Driver's License and ability to drive district vehicles.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Operational Leadership: Strong operational management, workflow optimization, a la carte merchandising, cost control, and personnel supervision skills.
• Software & Data: Demonstrated proficiency with nutrition analysis software, POS databases, Smart Snacks calculators, spreadsheets, and financial reports.
• Vendor & Supply Chain: Expertise in vendor coordination, ordering operations, and delivery logistics.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including NSLP, SBP, SFSP, CACFP, and Smart Snacks in School standards.
• Communication & Reliability: Effective written and oral communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and a track record of punctual attendance.
• Movement & Mobility: Frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and climbing stairs throughout district food service facilities.
• Lifting & Handling: Ability to frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (e.g., food crates, cases, catering equipment).
• Mix of Settings: Time is split between a standard office environment and institutional commercial kitchens/cafeterias across district schools.
• District Travel: Frequent travel between school sites, district facilities, and off-site meetings during the work day.
• Vehicle Requirement: Must possess a valid Minnesota Driver's License and have the ability to operate district vehicles for site visits, monitoring, catering deliveries, and supply transfers.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

Equity is one of District 281 core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. District 281 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.