POSITION TITLE: Director of Child Nutrition Programs

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent of Business & Support Services

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 month

Primary Purpose

Direct and manage the child nutrition program and supervise district operations for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, concessions, summer meal program, and department warehouse.  Plan and implement programs that meet regulatory and nutritional requirements for students, promote development of sound nutritional practices, maintain a safe and sanitary environment, and facilitate efficient operations

Qualifications

Education/Certification

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and health or business

Texas School Food Service Association or Texas Association of School Business Official Certification

Special Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge of child nutrition regulations and policies

Knowledge of menu planning, staffing ratios, specification, and equipment operations

Knowledge of purchasing laws, policies, regulations and procedures

Knowledge of warehouse operations

Effective communication (verbal and written), public relations, and interpersonal skills

Ability to manage budget and personnel

Ability to coordinate district functions

Ability to implement policy and procedures and interpret data

Experience

Five years’ experience in child nutrition or food service management, preferably in public education

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Program Management

• Direct and manage the district’s child nutrition programs.
• Develop menus that meet established nutritional requirements for students.
• Coordinate meal production for lunch and breakfast meals for students and staff.
• Establish and direct the process for providing free and reduced meal benefits following United States Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture guidelines for meal eligibility and reimbursement of federal funds.
• Develop and maintain written department procedures for all child nutrition operations.
• Provide support for campus administrators in the area of child nutrition programs and services.
• Direct district concession operations for all stadiums.
• Prepare and submit recommendations to increase meal participation and efficiency of operations.
• Manage the meal prepayment system that complies with federal regulations and meets the needs of parents and students.
• Assist with and implement procedures to ensure that employees are kept well informed of child nutrition policies, procedures, and programs that affect them.
• Acquire, develop and implement management information systems for child nutrition programs that will adequately maintain data to meet federal and state mandated requirements.
• Administer the records retention plan for child nutrition programs.
• Forecast and develop long range capital improvement plans for the child nutrition programs.
• Foster positive school and community relations.

Policy and Law

• Comply with laws, policies, procedures, and internal controls as they relate to district financial matters.
• Promptly report to the immediate supervisor or Superintendent any suspected violations of the code of ethics, such as theft, fraud, or any other dishonest act in the workplace.
• Implement policies and procedures established by law in preparing, handling, and storage of food products to ensure the safety of prepared meals for students.  Ensure that child nutrition programs are in compliance with federal, state, and local policies and procedures.

Fiscal Management and Inventory

• Act in an ethical and honest manner in all business transactions of the district.
• Administer program budgets and ensure programs are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
• Administer internal audits to evaluate compliance, cash collections, and accuracy of financial records.
• Prepare and submit annual contracts for USDA commodities and child nutrition programs.
• Assist in providing cost analysis of wage and salary adjustments for the budget process.
• Develop a cost-effective and efficient system of procurement of food, supplies, and kitchen equipment, meeting federal procurement and Texas Education Agency standards.
• Forecast food and supply quantities required to conduct child nutrition programs operations.
• Develop purchasing specifications and test products to ensure purchasing standards are obtained for program use and compliance.
• Supervise annual inventory audits and reconcile variances with district and independent auditors.
• Investigate and settle customer complaints such as damaged goods, shipment delays, or poor service.
• Develop procedures and controls to ensure invoice pricing and products corresponds to pricing and specifications submitted in bid process.
• Supervise fixed assets in inventory and adhere to policies for transfer and disposal of equipment.

Personnel Management

• Use management practices to promote collegiality, teamwork and collaborative decisions among staff.
• Manage the interview and selection process for child nutrition staff and make sound recommendations relative to personnel replacement, transfers, retention, and dismissal.
• Develop training programs and evaluate employees’ job performance for effectiveness.
• Evaluate meals per labor productivity levels and adjust staffing levels to meet productivity standards and establish work schedules of staff.

Safety

• Assist in incorporating district safety programs for child nutrition personnel.
• Ensure that staff and facilities adhere to safety requirements and health department regulations.

Professional Growth and Development

• Participate in professional learning activities to keep informed and comply with laws, policies, and regulations concerning primary job functions.
• Maintain familiarity with district initiatives to better serve the needs of students.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate the performance of the assistant director of child nutrition, coordinator of child nutrition, supervisors of child nutrition, child nutrition operations specialist, warehouse supervisor, equipment mechanic, systems support specialist, secretary, bookkeeper and clerks. Provide assistance in supervising and evaluating campus child nutrition managers and child nutrition staff.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, computer, peripherals, electronic devices
• Posture: Prolonged sitting/standing, occasional kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting, reaching
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, keyboarding, use of mouse, wrist flexion/extension
• Lifting: Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds without assistance, 30-55 pounds with assistance, and more than 55 pounds with appropriate assistance
• Environment: Work in office and campus kitchen; frequent district travel; occasional statewide travel; frequent irregular and prolonged hours
• Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress, work with frequent interruptions