Special Programs Manager

Shelby County Schools; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County Schools is seeking a Special Programs Manager for Nutrition Services in Memphis. The role oversees staff and sites across the district, ensuring compliant operation of ELP, At Risk, CACFP and related programs while aligning with district budgets and food safety standards.

The position emphasizes staff leadership, program planning, budget stewardship, and collaboration with menu planning, inventory, and education initiatives to deliver nutritious, high‑quality meals district‑wide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 3 years of food service operations experience or equivalent (total 7 years).
• Serve Safe certification preferred; HACCP certification preferred to be obtained within 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of school and community partner sites for nutrition special programs.
• Hire, train, motivate, delegate, supervise, and evaluate staff; set schedules and expectations.
• Plan and implement nutrition education and marketing for special programs.
• Collaborate on menu planning, government commodity dispositions, and inventory controls.
• Manage special catering events and wellness activities.
• Conduct site visits and ensure compliance with program regulations; perform annual reviews.
• Ensure health and safety regulations are followed and safety policies are enforced.
• Establish program standards and procurement/distribution systems; evaluate program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Field Operations Manager, Kitchen Manager, Menu Planning, and Operations leadership.
• Implement HACCP standards and safety controls in food service facilities.
• Manage program budgets to stay within yearly targets.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Staff management

Budget management

Program coordination

Food service operations

Safety & HACCP compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Administration, Nutrition, Dietetics, Home Economics or related field

Job description

Purpose and Scope

The Special Programs Manager manages Nutrition Services special programs staff and is responsible for managing a portfolio of school sites and community partner sites; and is responsible for securing the operational budget to ensure business strategies and objectives are met according to Memphis Shelby County School Nutrition Services.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages a designated number of school sites, programs, and staff to organize, direct, and administer the child nutrition special programs for the school district which includes recruiting new community partners, planning, staff management, resource allocation, and financial management for Early Learning Program (ELP), At Risk, Pre-K, and all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) initiatives.
• Hires, trains, motivates, delegates, disciplines, monitors and evaluates performance of staff to ensure targets and goals are met; and establishes work schedules and expectations of all Special Programs staff.
• Facilitates plans, organizes, and implements a program of nutrition education, and establishing a program of marketing and communications for all special programming.
• Collaborates with menu planning, government commodity dispositions, and inventory control to ensure operational guidelines are met.
• Manages and organizes special catering events, wellness activities, alone with supporting district community
• Conducts site visits during preparation times for special programs (Afterschool Supper, and Snack Programs, etc.) to ensure compliance with the program regulations; and conducts yearly required TN Department of Education Administrative Reviews of the special program’s operations.
• Ensures staff is following health and safety regulations; enforcing safety policies and procedures to eliminate workplace hazards and injuries.
• Establishes program standards and direct implementation to ensure operation of a nutritionally sound school nutrition program; establishes a system for the procurement, receiving, and distribution of food and non-food materials; evaluates all special programs services to determine its effectiveness in achieving the program’s goals; and develops and implements an effective system for quality food production and service.
• Collaborates proactively with the Field Operations Manager, Kitchen Manager Menu Planning Team, Operations Team (Area Managers), and leadership to develop creative, school-specific solutions to ensure we can deliver the best possible service.
• Implements sanitation standards and devise a system for control of the 3 food hazards; assists with implementation of an efficient Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program in accordance with local, state, federal guidelines; and implements standards and controls for safety in food service facility design.
• Establishes financial goals and ensures that each special program stays within the yearly planned budget by reviewing meal participation, meal costs, labor costs, and inventory.
• Executes responsibilities according to lawful and ethical standards; uses professional and personal judgment and initiative to develop effective and constructive solutions to challenges and obstacles.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Administration, Nutrition, Dietetics, Home Economics or related field of study plus an additional three (3) years of food service operations related experience, or equivalent, for a total educations and experience of seven (7) years.

Serve Safe certification preferred. HACCP certification preferred to be obtained with 6 months of employment with the district.(PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED).

Degree Equivalency Formula:

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.