Director of Nutritional Services

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Nutrition
Location: District

Reports To: Director of Finance

Subordinates: Assistant Director of Nutrition and Nutrition Department Staff
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $65,000-$80,000

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Nutrition provides strategic leadership and oversight of the District's food service program to ensure students have access to nutritious, high-quality meals in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of the Nutrition Department, including meal program administration, financial management, regulatory compliance, menu planning, procurement, staffing, customer service, and wellness initiatives.

The Director serves as the District's primary administrator for all USDA Child Nutrition Programs and works collaboratively with District leadership to ensure the nutrition program supports the educational mission of Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School. The Director fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service while modeling the mission and core values of the District. This is a 10-month per year, exempt position.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of this position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Operations

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for all District nutrition services and food service operations.

• Supervise and coordinate all aspects of meal preparation, service, sanitation, inventory, purchasing, and distribution.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve efficient operational systems and procedures.

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing school nutrition programs, including USDA and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements.

• Develop department goals, operational procedures, and performance standards.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and implement improvements that enhance service, efficiency, and student participation.

• Lead departmental planning initiatives that promote innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

• Develop marketing and student engagement initiatives to encourage participation in school meal programs.

• Serve as an active member of the District Wellness Committee and support implementation of the District Wellness Policy.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the Nutrition Department budget.

• Monitor departmental expenditures and revenues to maintain a financially sustainable food service program.

• Review invoices, approve purchases, monitor inventories, and ensure appropriate purchasing practices.

• Submit invoices, deposits, reimbursement claims, and financial reports accurately and on schedule.

• Maintain accurate financial and operational records to support audits and state and federal reimbursement requirements.

• Review and approve purchase orders, invoices, and expenditures for accuracy prior to submission for payment.

Nutrition Program Administration

• Develop menus that meet USDA nutritional requirements while promoting healthy food choices and student satisfaction.

• Oversee implementation of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (when applicable), and all other applicable child nutrition programs.

• Review and process Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications in accordance with program requirements.

• Monitor meal counts, point-of-sale systems, production records, and all required documentation.

• Coordinate meal services for school events, summer programs, professional development, and other District activities.

• Administer all USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Summer Food Service Program (when applicable), and other state and federally funded nutrition initiatives.

• Prepare and submit monthly reimbursement claims and all required state and federal reports accurately and on time.

• Coordinate and oversee all administrative reviews, compliance audits, and monitoring visits conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Ensure compliance with all USDA meal pattern requirements and reimbursable meal regulations.

• Develop strategies to increase student participation and continuously improve the quality and appeal of school meal programs.

• Communicate menus, nutrition information, special dietary accommodations, and program updates to students, families, and staff.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, interview, recommend, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Nutrition Department staff.

• Schedule staff to ensure adequate coverage at all school locations.

• Monitor employee attendance, review timesheets, and verify payroll information.

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.

• Conduct formal performance evaluations and address performance concerns in partnership with Human Resources.

• Ensure compliance with District personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements (where applicable), and employment laws.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure all kitchens operate in accordance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.

• Maintain ServSafe and other required certifications.

• Coordinate inspections and respond to findings from regulatory agencies.

• Ensure all employees receive required food safety and professional standards training.

• Complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of USDA Professional Standards Training annually by May 1.

• Maintain all required records to support state and federal compliance reviews and audits.

• Coordinate special dietary accommodations and medical meal modifications in accordance with USDA regulations, ADA requirements, and physician documentation.

• Monitor annual USDA Professional Standards training requirements for all Nutrition Department staff.

• Ensure compliance with Civil Rights requirements, annual training, and public notification obligations for Child Nutrition Programs.

• Maintain all documentation required to support state and federal compliance reviews.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work collaboratively with school administrators, faculty, families, vendors, and community partners.

• Communicate effectively regarding menus, allergies, special dietary needs, and nutrition initiatives.

• Represent the District at professional meetings, conferences, and workshops.

• Stay informed of current trends, regulations, and best practices in school nutrition and implement improvements when appropriate.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

• Monitor the condition, maintenance, and safe operation of kitchen equipment and food service facilities in partnership with the Facilities Department.

• Coordinate preventative maintenance, equipment repairs, and replacement planning to ensure uninterrupted food service operations.

• Conduct regular inspections of cafeterias and kitchens to ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, meal quality, and customer service standards.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Associate's degree in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field required; bachelor's degree in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Dietetics, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible food service management experience, including supervisory experience, preferably in a school nutrition program.

• Experience administering USDA Child Nutrition Programs and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations strongly preferred.

• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification required.

• Massachusetts School Nutrition Director Certification through the John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition required or the ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.

• Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets, procurement, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.

• Strong knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs, food safety and sanitation requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations.

• Proven leadership, organizational, communication, and personnel management skills.

• Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computerized food service, point-of-sale, and financial management systems.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and establish positive working relationships with students, families, staff, vendors, and community partners.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of all required state and federal background checks and fingerprinting.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel between District buildings as needed.

• Ability to maintain all required certifications and complete required professional development.

• Ability to work in compliance with all District policies and applicable laws and regulations.

• Successful completion of the Massachusetts School Nutrition Director Certification (John C. Stalker Institute) or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe, if applicable.

• Completion of all USDA Professional Standards training requirements annually.

• Ability to travel between District buildings as needed.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• Commercial kitchen equipment, including ovens, stoves, steamers, refrigerators, freezers, mixers, slicers, and dishwashers.

• Computers, calculators, copy machines, telephones, point-of-sale systems, and other standard office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is primarily performed indoors in commercial kitchen and cafeteria environments.

• Regular exposure to heat, cold, steam, moisture, cleaning chemicals, and food preparation equipment.

• Noise levels range from moderate to high depending on kitchen operations.

• Frequent interaction with students, staff, vendors, and visitors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.

• Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and repetitive hand movements.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.

Important Note:

Applicants who are hired for this position and are found to have provided falsified or inaccurate information during the application process are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

Full-Time Exempt Position with compensation based on relevant experience. This position is not on a salary scale. This is a 10-month per year, exempt position. AKFCS provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:

• Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System (MTRS): Not Eligible

• Medical/Dental/Vision

• Life Insurance

• 403(b) & ROTH403(b) with Match

• Stipend for Professional/Personal Development

• Dash Pass (DoorDash)

• YMCA Discounts

• Comprehensive Private Leave of Absence Program (PFML)

• Sick Time with Sick Bank

• Personal Days

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Abby Kelley Foster Public Charter School is an affirmative action employer, ensuring that its programs and facilities are accessible to the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, disability, gender identity, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, national origin, homelessness, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status or class protected by state or federal law.

Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School Mission

The mission of the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School is to assist families in their role as primary educators of their students by providing a liberal arts education representative of diverse works and global perspectives and aimed at academic excellence, musical competence, and character formation.