Sr. Coordinator, School Nutrition

School Nutrition Association; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County Public Schools seeks a Senior Coordinator of School Nutrition to lead a large, dynamic program that nourishes students and supports school communities.

You will partner with the Director of School Nutrition to oversee operations, nutrition standards, procurement, and strategic initiatives, driving continuous improvement, team development, and exemplary service across the district.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Bachelor's with five (5) years of progressively responsible food service leadership experience.
• SNS Credential or comparable professional certification in school food service.
• Highly Desired: RD/RDN, Professional Chef or Culinary Degree, K-12 school nutrition program experience, large-scale food service operations experience, bilingual/biliterate skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of the district's School Nutrition Program.
• Collaborate with the Director to develop strategic goals, operational improvements, and program initiatives.
• Assist in determining staffing needs and supporting school nutrition operations across the district.
• Plan and evaluate menus that meet federal nutrition standards while supporting student satisfaction.
• Coordinate USDA Foods ordering and inventory management.
• Assist with budget development, monitoring, and administration.
• Recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and mentoring staff.
• Coordinate manager intern and trainer programs and leadership development within the department.
• Coordinate eligibility determination for free and reduced-price meals and direct certification programs.

Skills

Leadership abilities

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Education

Master's degree in Nutrition, Food Service Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Administration, or related field

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible food service leadership experience

School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential or comparable professional certification in school food service

Job description

Senior Coordinator of School Nutrition

Lead, Innovate, and Inspire in One of Florida's Largest School Nutrition Programs

Polk County Public Schools is seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Coordinator of School Nutrition to help lead a dynamic program dedicated to nourishing students and supporting school communities.

This key leadership position partners closely with the Director of School Nutrition to oversee program operations, menu development, compliance, procurement, and strategic initiatives. We are especially interested in candidates who bring expertise in nutrition, culinary excellence, and food service leadership.

If you are passionate about creating healthy, appealing meals, developing teams, and making a difference in students' lives every day, we encourage you to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) strongly preferred
• Chef or Culinary Professional with large-scale food service leadership experience preferred

What You’ll Do

Program Leadership

• Assist in planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of the district's School Nutrition Program.
• Collaborate with the Director to develop strategic goals, operational improvements, and program initiatives.
• Assist in determining staffing needs and supporting school nutrition operations across the district.

Menu Development, Nutrition & Food Quality

• Plan and evaluate menus that meet federal nutrition standards while supporting student satisfaction.
• Conduct food tests and evaluate products for quality, acceptability, and compliance with specifications.
• Coordinate USDA Foods ordering and inventory management.
• Support culinary innovation and continuous improvement of meal offerings.

Procurement & Financial Management

• Assist with budget development, monitoring, and administration.
• Develop product specifications for food and non-food items and coordinate competitive purchasing processes.
• Review inventory, accounting, and operational reports to support sound financial decision-making.
• Coordinate ordering and distribution of school nutrition uniforms and operational supplies.

Staff Development & Talent Management

• Conduct workshops, meetings, and learning opportunities that support employee growth and operational excellence.
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and mentoring staff.
• Coordinate manager intern and manager trainer programs while supporting leadership development within the department.

Program Compliance & Administration

• Coordinate eligibility determination processes for free and reduced-price meals and direct certification programs.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal school nutrition regulations.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, and program documentation.
• Represent the department at meetings, conferences, and professional organizations.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Nutrition, Food Service Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Administration, or a related field;

OR

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible food service leadership experience, including supervisory responsibilities;

AND

• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential or comparable professional certification in school food service.

Highly Desired

• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN)
• Professional Chef or Culinary Degree
• Experience within K-12 school nutrition programs
• Experience managing large-scale food service operations
• Bilingual/Biliterate skills

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local school nutrition regulations.
• Strong understanding of food service operations, procurement, inventory management, and financial controls.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and quality assurance practices.
• Advanced technology skills and proficiency with school nutrition software applications.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Work Environment

This position requires regular collaboration with district leadership, school administrators, managers, staff, vendors, and community stakeholders. The role includes a combination of office-based work, school visits, meetings, training sessions, and operational support throughout the district.

The position requires occasional lifting of materials weighing up to 20 pounds and routine use of computers, telephones, and other communication technologies.

Salary

Salary Grade: SG20

Join a team committed to feeding students, supporting schools, and building healthier futures. As the Senior Coordinator of School Nutrition, you will help shape the vision, quality, and success of a program that serves thousands of students every day.