Director of School Nutrition

Position Type:
Administration/Director

Date Posted:
7/9/2024

Location:
Valparaiso High School

Date Available:
01/06/2025

Closing Date:
when position is filled
Title: Director of School Nutrition

Terms of Employment:

Salary Range: $90,000-$105,000

260 Day Contract, 2-year initial contract

Comprehensive fringe benefit package, 3% annual VEBA contribution, PERF eligible

Qualifications:

1. Must meet USDA federal hiring requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with specific major (Academic major or concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or a related field), or
• Bachelor's degree with any academic major and a State-recognized certificate, or
• Bachelor's degree with any academic major and at least 2 yrs of relevant SNP experience, or
• Associate's degree with specific major and at least 2 years of relevant SNP experience

1. SFA Directors must obtain food safety certification within 30 days and renew every 5 years.
2. Two or more years experience preferred as a School Nutrition Director or Assistant Director.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of supervisory principles, non-commercial food service practices and federal regulations governing child nutrition programs.
4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
5. Demonstrate experience in establishing external relationships with community, business and industry, local and state governments, and professional organizations.
6. Computer fluency in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, required and knowledge of Skyward, Canva and social media marketing preferred.
7. Strong financial analysis skills and experience with multi-million dollar budgets.

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

Job Summary: To plan, administer, direct, assess, implement and evaluate all pillars of the district's school nutrition program including Administration, Operations, Nutrition and Communication/Marketing. Ensure compliance with federal, state and local board policy. To lead, motivate, and supervise School Nutrition staff and promote student participation through data informed decision making. The Director of School Nutrition shall partner with others in the school and community to solicit support for child nutrition programs, including Summer Food Service expansion, while incorporating strong and intuitive business principles to competently manage and grow the multi million dollar budget.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Administration:

• Oversee the administration of a financially viable child nutrition program in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies. Plan, supervise, and administer an operational budget in cooperation with the Chief Financial Officer.
• Implement information management systems that increase productivity and efficiency.
• Implement and maintain an appropriate accounting system for the child nutrition program in accordance with the State Board of Accounts, USDA, federal, state and local guidelines including, but not limited to, monthly profit and loss reports, monthly inventory valuation of food and supplies, POS account balances, account payables and receivables.
• Implement an effective and compliant federal procurement system for purchases and issues requests for quotes or formal bid proposals. Allocate federal entitlement dollars for commodity purchases maximizing usage. Provide recommendations to the Board for contract approvals.
• Develop new and innovative program changes and expansions through data informed decision making, stakeholder feedback and industry research and best practices.
• Maintain professional standards training requirements by attending local, state and national conferences and maintain membership in professional associations. Visit and network with local districts and use benchmarking tools to achieve standards of excellence.

Operations:

• Develop standard operating procedures to ensure food production is safe, efficient and yields high quality healthy meals.
• Create and update staff shift schedules based on Meals per Labor Hour report.
• Oversee employee recruitment, selection, training and evaluation of School Nutrition personnel. Create job duties and expectations using industry standards and key performance indicators. Track all professional standards training and ensure employees complete annual requirements.
• Create, implement, and update annually School Nutrition department guidelines and expectations.
• Develop and integrate a comprehensive food safety plan with annual updates. Ensure standard operating procedures integrate employee and food safety in every aspect of the operation.
• Develop a facility improvement and equipment replacement plan and oversee equipment maintenance and repairs with the appropriate school personnel or contractors.

Nutrition:

• Supervise menu planning and the food preparation process ensuring all targets for USDA compliance are met.
• Supervise menu planning and contracts for private schools.
• Train and supervise staff on use of software for nutrient analysis, standardized recipes, forecasting, ordering and production records.
• Create opportunities to menu local foods and promote nutrition education.
• Develop staff training on reimbursable meal recognition, portion control and food allergies.
• Contribute to and assist with the district's Wellness Plan compliance.

Communication and Marketing:

• Create a comprehensive marketing plan to inform and engage all stakeholders to enhance the image of the school nutrition program and increase student participation.
• Create content for department webpage, social media, youtube and vimeo channels, Viking Connect platform, VHS slideshow and digital menu boards with regular updates.
• Communicate and collaborate with district administrators to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to the school board, school nurses, school principals, community and parent groups.
• Schedule regular meetings for management staff and communicate program updates and train on new procedures.
• Regularly communicate through staff newsletters with a focus on building a supportive culture while fostering pride and passion.

Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

1. Requires the ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods.
2. Requires the ability to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials.
3. Requires the ability to stoop, bend, and reach.
4. Requires driving skills including the ability to operate a vehicle.
5. Must be able to work in noisy, crowded, stressful environments.
6. Must be able to work in and around fumes and odors.
7. Must be able to work with cleaning chemicals.
8. Must be able to work in areas of intense heat and cold.
9. Must be able to work long and irregular hours.
10. Must be able to handle physical and emotional stress.
11. Requires regular attendance and/or physical presence at the job.
    
    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.