Food Service Manager

Job Summary:

The Food Service Manager works collaboratively with the Director of Food Service to oversee and coordinate the daily operations of Propel Schools' child nutrition programs across the network. This position is scheduled to begin on December 1st, 2026.

The Manager shares supervisory responsibility for approximately 25 Propel Schools food service employees, providing leadership, training, guidance, and operational support to ensure efficient and compliant food service operations.

The Manager is responsible for coordinating food and supply orders for school locations, monitoring food service operations, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, ensuring accurate program documentation, and supporting compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The position also assists with monitoring food service operations provided by contracted vendors to ensure compliance with program requirements and established service standards. Supervision of contracted vendor employees remains the responsibility of their respective employers.

The Food Service Manager reports directly to the Director of Food Service and plays an important role in supporting departmental goals, operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional customer service.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Staff Supervision and Management

• Share direct supervisory responsibility for approximately 25 Propel Schools food service employees in collaboration with the Director of Food Service.
• Provide daily leadership, guidance, coaching, and operational support to food service personnel.
• Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, job performance, and adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
• Assist with employee scheduling, staffing assignments, and coordinating coverage for absences and vacancies.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluating food service personnel.
• Conduct employee performance observations and provide constructive feedback and follow-up as needed.
• Address routine employee concerns and performance issues, maintaining appropriate documentation and communicating significant concerns to the Director.
• Collaborate with the Director and Human Resources regarding employee evaluations, corrective actions, and disciplinary matters.
• Ensure employees complete required training and understand departmental policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and a positive working environment.

Food Service Operations and Program Management

• Assist the Director in implementing and maintaining a network-wide child nutrition program that promotes healthy eating habits, scholar satisfaction, and exceptional customer service.
• Conduct regular visits to school food service locations to monitor daily operations, food quality, meal presentation, sanitation, and compliance with established procedures.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served according to established quality standards and applicable federal and state meal pattern requirements.
• Monitor daily food service operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide operational support to school food service staff to ensure consistent and efficient meal service.
• Coordinate staffing adjustments and provide temporary on-site coverage during breakfast and/or lunch service when necessary to maintain uninterrupted meal service.
• Collaborate with school administrators and other departments to address operational concerns and maintain positive working relationships.
• Assist the Director in implementing departmental goals and initiatives designed to improve program efficiency, accountability, and scholar participation.

Food and Supply Ordering and Inventory Management

• Manage and coordinate food and supply orders for each assigned Propel Schools location through approved food service vendors.
• Review school menus, meal participation, inventory levels, and anticipated needs to ensure accurate and timely ordering.
• Monitor ordering quantities to minimize food waste, prevent shortages, and maintain cost-effective operations.
• Communicate with vendors regarding orders, deliveries, product availability, substitutions, and discrepancies.
• Coordinate with school food service personnel to address inventory needs, delivery concerns, and changes in meal participation.
• Ensure orders are placed according to established deadlines, purchasing procedures, and departmental budgets.
• Maintain accurate ordering records and communicate significant concerns or unusual purchasing needs to the Director of Food Service.
• Assist with inventory management, receiving procedures, and cost-control practices to support efficient use of departmental resources.

Program Compliance and Recordkeeping

• Assist in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements governing child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and other applicable programs.
• Conduct routine monitoring of food service operations, including meal counting and claiming procedures, production records, food safety documentation, and program compliance.
• Review required documentation for accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
• Assist in preparing, reviewing, and processing reimbursement claims in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Monitor health inspection reports and follow up on identified concerns to ensure timely corrective action.
• Maintain organized and accurate records to support monitoring reviews, audits, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist the Director in preparing for administrative reviews and implementing corrective action plans.
• Perform direct certification matching and maintain related documentation using PrimeroEdge or other designated systems.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and reporting as required by government agencies, granting organizations, and Propel Schools policies.

Food Safety and Sanitation

• Ensure school food service facilities follow established food safety, sanitation, and employee safety procedures.
• Monitor proper food storage, preparation, holding temperatures, equipment cleanliness, and overall kitchen sanitation.
• Identify food safety concerns and communicate required corrective actions to appropriate staff and the Director.
• Reinforce compliance with health department regulations, HACCP-based food safety procedures, and Propel Schools policies.
• Monitor health inspection findings and assist with coordinating follow-up actions related to sanitation, equipment concerns, and facility maintenance.
• Promote a safe and sanitary working environment for employees and scholars.

Contracted Food Service Monitoring

• Conduct monitoring visits to schools receiving meals or services from contracted food service vendors.
• Monitor meal quality, portion sizes, meal service procedures, sanitation, and compliance with applicable child nutrition program requirements.
• Review meal counting and claiming procedures and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Identify service concerns or deficiencies and communicate findings to the Director and appropriate vendor management.
• Assist with follow-up to ensure identified concerns are addressed in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain positive working relationships with contracted vendors, school administrators, and food service personnel.
• Support the Director in evaluating contracted food service performance and maintaining consistent standards across the network.
• Recognize that direct supervision, employee evaluations, and disciplinary authority for contracted vendor personnel remain with their respective employers.

Staff Training and Professional Development

• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and ongoing training to Propel Schools food service personnel.
• Assist with onboarding and training new employees on meal service procedures, food safety, documentation, and department expectations.
• Train staff on the use of Skyward, PrimeroEdge, and other applicable food service technology and reporting systems.
• Identify training needs through school monitoring visits, employee observations, and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate and support required professional development activities.
• Participate in professional development to remain current on child nutrition regulations, food safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Promote consistent implementation of departmental policies and procedures throughout the network.

Administrative and Financial Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and submission of required reports, reimbursement claims, and program documentation.
• Review meal participation data, point-of-sale records, and other operational reports for accuracy.
• Assist with payment processing, account reconciliation, and financial reporting within designated food service systems.
• Support inventory controls, purchasing procedures, and monitoring of food and supply costs.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to program operations, staff training, and compliance activities.
• Communicate regularly with the Director regarding operational concerns, staffing needs, compliance issues, and recommended improvements.
• Support the implementation of departmental goals and strategic initiatives established by the Director of Food Service.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in K–12 school food service operations.
• Experience supervising employees across multiple food service locations.
• Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs and Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.
• Experience with meal counting and claiming, production records, compliance monitoring, and reimbursement procedures.
• Experience providing employee training and operational support.
• ServSafe certification or equivalent food safety training.

School Calendar - Work Schedule (260 days, year-round)

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The employee must be able to:

• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, such as cases of food items or kitchen equipment.
• Push or pull items such as kitchen carts and equipment.
• Interact with other staff members.
• Climb a step stool or ladder and reach above shoulders
• Ability to frequently stand and walk; bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and reach overhead.
• Reach above the head and reach forward.
• Stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, equipment, or controls; use hand strength to grasp items; and to talk and hear.
• Frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Organizational Overview

Propel Schools is the largest network of public charter schools in Allegheny County consisting of 13 schools and approximately 4,000 scholars. Our mission is to provide high-quality schools to underserved communities. Each of our schools provides a rigorous academic environment and small class sizes where educators focus on providing each scholar with support and individualized attention. With one of the top starting teacher salaries in Allegheny County, a customizable benefits package, and extraordinary career and professional development opportunities, Propel Schools is one of the area’s premier education organizations.