School Food Operations Manager

School Food Operations Manager

Nourish Colorado is a non-profit organization committed to increasing access to nutritious, local food and building a more equitable food system across Colorado. We conduct policy advocacy for systems change, manage programs that increase food access and support local producers, and work alongside community partners to inspire collective action.

We hold many values sacred in our work; the primary one being building an organization that at its core is focused on equity. We work to establish practices and policies that advance multiracial and multicultural shared power in the food systems space specifically. We aim to do this throughout our organization from who and how we hire, to where we bank, with whom we advocate, how we write grants and how close we hold our partnerships.

We believe that traditional hiring practices have historically and systemically marginalized entire groups of people including people of color, people from different socio-economic backgrounds, women, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, to name a few. We believe that we are better as an organization when we work to deconstruct barriers and build a team that has authentic representation from diverse communities, backgrounds, and beliefs. Hence, we strongly encourage qualified candidates from those mentioned, as well as other marginalized communities, to apply for roles within our team.

To learn more about our vision, values, and organizational commitments, please visit us at Please read on and apply to join our diverse team of food systems and non-profit leaders and to help us do all this better.

The School Food Ops Manager supports the various work happening within our Healthy Food in Institutions Local Food Program area. The School Food Ops Manager is an integral member of our team and collaborates with local school districts, early childcare sites, older adult meal sites, other institutional food service programs, state agencies, local farmers and ranchers, and multiple partners around the state. The focus of our work is to transform local procurement efforts and strengthen connections between growers, local institutions, and their surrounding communities, revitalizing local and regional food systems, and providing critical calories and nourishing food to Coloradans. We also support institutional food service programs with trainings designed to enhance their meal programs and overall food service operations. The School Food Ops Manager will be instrumental to these innovative and evolving programs by supporting K-12 institutions with operational technical assistance related to menu planning, procurement, forecasting, compliance, local food integration, regional bid/solicitation development, and recipe and resource development. This role also bridges operational feasibility with culinary strategy and will closely collaborate with the Culinary Programs Director.

You will need to be available for pre-scheduled buyer/seller networking events at the end of October through mid-December, which will require in-state travel. Ideally, you'll be able to join every event, but we can accommodate, if needed. Alongside the buyer/seller events, this position will be responsible for relaunching the Southeast Colorado Regional Bid by the end of 2026. This may require travel to various locations in the Southeast region.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

Training and On-site Technical Assistance Delivery (50%)

• Support data collection and info-gathering interviews with participating providers (School Districts) and key stakeholders
• Support K-12 institutions with on-site and virtual operational technical assistance (e.g. menu planning, forecasting, procurement, etc.) as it relates to their foodservice operation and local procurement goals
• Develop and implement virtual and on-site training content, as applicable, to school meal operators related to K-12 nutrition operations and local procurement
• Design and implement Regional Farm to School bids
• Support K-12 institutions with culinary training and technical assistance as it relates to their local procurement goals and applicable grant deliverables
• Support the design and implementation of the culinary trainings and relevant workshops
• Support administrative and workshop logistics related to culinary workshops/sessions
• Assist Institutions Team with larger workshop and event session content and facilitation
• Support with the training and engagement with the Regional Food Coordinators

Recipe and Resource Development Support (30%)

• Facilitate the development and curation of materials and resources to support K-12 operators with local procurement and menu planning
• Assist with recipe development and recipe testing, with a focus on local ingredients and or culturally relevant meals
• Collaborate with Institutions Team on integration of recipes into K-12 Menus
• Play an integral role in the streamlining and connection of farm to institution efforts and resources across the state
• Help facilitate and implement taste tests along with student and community engagement opportunities

Nourish Organizational Support (10%)

• Share local procurement best practices and collaborate with Nourish Colorado staff members and program consultants
• Where needed, assist chef consultants and regional school food program coordinators with logistics (e.g. coordinating travel and TA support, workshop support, event logistics, etc.)
• Represent the program(s) at relevant tradeshows and conferences to promote the program(s) and extend brand recognition
• Be available and responsive to program contractors, partners, Nourish Colorado staff, institutional contacts, and other key partners, as needed
• Provide support, content and expertise for communications, marketing, and fundraising efforts
• Actively participate in at least one working group, committee, or coalition
• Participate in and actively engage with organization-wide monthly JEDI meetings aimed at fostering connection and belonging across Nourish
• Contribute to team-specific JEDI projects and initiatives, supporting the integration of equity and inclusion into day-to-day work

Documentation, Administrative, & Evaluation (10%)

• Assist with collection and collation of training evaluations
• Assist with the documentation and tracking of evaluations and deliverables for the varying programs
• Accurately complete administrative duties (e.g. time tracking, expense coding, etc.)
• Track relevant deliverables on time
• Support reporting to Culinary Programs Director, and where needed, to the Data and Impact Manager

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience with K-12 meal patterns and regulations, and cycle menu planning
• Experience with forecasting and institutional procurement planning (e.g. managing solicitations and/or working with GPOs)
• Experience in training and understanding the needs of adult learners
• Commitment to food safety and sanitation
• Strong time management skills
• Deep customer service and relationship building skills
• Ability to function well in a fully remote environment
• Technologically savvy and organized Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to manage, organize, and analyze information
• Proactive approach to problem identification and resolution
• Ability to adapt and manage complex change
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively
• Sensitivity and experience working with diverse populations, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Commitment to Nourish Colorado's mission, vision, goals, and organizational values
• Nice to have:
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential
• Professional culinary training from an accredited institution or equivalent job experience
• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) certified (or plan to obtain certification within first year)
• ServSafe certified (must become certified within six months of employment)
• Interest in local food procurement
• Bilingual Spanish/English
• Understanding of USDA Foods and DOD Fresh Program
• Knowledge of CO Proud ingredients and CO Food Systems
• Recipe development skills relevant the federal nutrition program guidelines

This position would ideally start on August 3rd, 2026 and is fully funded for one year. Extension of position is based on performance and available funding.

Benefits

$70,000 - $74,999 plus a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401K match