Assistant Director of Food Service

Position Type:
Administration/Director

Date Posted:
4/24/2026

Location:
Food Services


JOB TITLE/ASSIGNMENT

Position: Assistant Director of Food Service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Service Management, Dietetics, or Business Administration.
• 5-7 years of administrative experience in school nutrition or large-scale institutional food service.
• Valid ServSafe Manager Certificate; School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) preferred.
• Ability to independently complete assigned projects and responsibilities.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Job Goal

The Assistant Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the District's Food Service program. This role is critical in ensuring the program's financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and adherence to all federal and state nutritional standards.

Supervises

Assigned Personnel

Reports To

Chief Financial Officer


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). In-depth knowledge of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and USDA regulations, including the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
• Advanced proficiency in governmental accounting and enterprise fund management. Ability to interpret complex financial statements, conduct cost-benefit analyses, and manage multi-million dollar budgets with a focus on self-sustainability.
• Mastery of large-scale institutional food service operations, including menu planning, nutrient analysis, and production records. Expert knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and food safety standards.
• Working knowledge of federal procurement standards (2 CFR 200) and Florida-specific bidding laws. Skill in negotiating vendor contracts and managing supply chain logistics for a multi-site district.
• Skill in utilizing specialized Food Service Management Software (e.g., PrimeroEdge, Horizon, or Nutrislice), Point of Sale (POS) systems, and the Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel) for data-driven decision-making.
• Strong ability to supervise, train, and evaluate a diverse workforce. Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor laws applicable to public school employees.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to effectively present technical information to the School Board, parents, and community stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

Contract & Program Management

• Provide rigorous administrative oversight and monitoring of the Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to ensure strict adherence to all contractual obligations, performance metrics, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) procurement standards.
• Direct and coordinate the strategic planning, development, implementation, and continuous evaluation of the district-wide Food and Nutrition Services program to ensure operational excellence and financial viability.
• Responsible for the preparation, expenditure monitoring, and fiscal management of the Food Services budget, ensuring alignment with the District's strategic goals and enterprise fund health.

Regulatory Compliance & Policy

• Systematically monitor and evaluate the implementation of USDA-approved Meal Patterns, ensuring 100% compliance with federal nutrition standards and state regulatory requirements.
• Maintain an expert-level knowledge base of federal, state, and local statutes, including the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, State Board of Education Rules, and Florida Statutes.
• Lead the development and implementation of administrative guidelines, internal controls, and district policies to standardize and improve food service operations across all school sites.
• Provide proactive technical assistance and specialized training to school food service personnel to ensure seamless compliance with USDA and state regulations.

Facilities & Technical Specifications

• Develop detailed technical specifications and provide recommendations for the procurement of cafeteria equipment to optimize production efficiency and safety.
• Collaborate with principals and district administrative personnel in the planning, design, and modernization of food service facilities and kitchen layouts.
• Oversee the preparation of all required state and federal reports and maintain comprehensive records to ensure audit-readiness and data integrity.

Engagement & Education

• Assist principals, teachers, parents, and students in promoting a deeper understanding of the nutritional, educational, and financial benefits of the district's food service programs.
• Monitor student food service preferences by establishing formal vehicles for communication among students, food service staff, and administrative personnel to enhance participation.
• Serve as the primary District Contact Person for nutrition education, providing resources and assistance to school personnel to integrate healthy eating into the curriculum.

Personnel & Leadership

• Supervise and evaluate assigned personnel, providing mentorship and making recommendations for appropriate employment actions, including hiring, promotion, and disciplinary measures.
• Performs other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor, the Superintendent, or the board.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. Ability to actively perform work in classroom, office, and other business and community settings. Ability to move freely and perform duties in numerous locations throughout the day (typically involving frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and lifting). Exposure to noise and activity of a school setting. Exposure to weather conditions. Ability to travel outside the district for a variety of meetings and conferences.


TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Calendar Months: 12 Month


Salary Schedule: Administrative Pay Grade: Base

Salary and Benefits as determined and approved annually by Hendry County School Board.

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with School Board Policies for evaluation of administrative personnel.


ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

Conditions for continued employment if applicable:


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This job description is intended to provide an overview of the requirements of the position. As such, it is not necessarily all inclusive, and the job may require other essential and/or non-essential functions, tasks, duties, or responsibilities not listed herein. The District reserves the sole right to add, modify, or exclude any essential or non-essential requirements at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description, nor the completion of any requirement of the job by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment of any type.


Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date: ______________________

Employee Printed Name: _________________________________

Attachment(s):

• Assistant Director of Food Service