Child Nutrition Program Manager

To Apply: We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Interested candidates should submit their application and include their resume at https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3409533/Operation-Food-Search-Inc/Child-Nutrition-Program-Manager

About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger.

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow.

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Goals are to:

• Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network.
• Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget.
• Champion change through advocacy, innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities.

For more information about OFS, please visit our website at www.operationfoodsearch.org.

Position Summary:

The Child Nutrition Program Manager (CNPM) is responsible for overseeing the planning and administration of all child nutrition activities, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance with federal and state contracts. The CNPM will work collaboratively with individuals and communities impacted by food insecurity to ensure access to nutritious meals. In this role, the CNPM will lead and develop a team that implements the SFSP (Summer Food Service Program), CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) and Operation Backpack program; collaborate with school districts and community partners to adopt innovative ways to increase food access.

Essential Functions:

Program Management

• Oversee the planning, development, and administration of all child nutrition department business activities, including department budgets, reports, and analyses.
• Monitor project plans and progress toward grant deliverables. Provide on-time reporting of measurable goals and objectives.
• Manage and execute federal and state contracts, ensuring compliance with all USDA guidelines, including the on-site monitoring of partner activities, collection of documentation, and facilitation of the audit process.
• Maintain expert knowledge of federal program administration and recommend enhancement to internal controls and processes.
• Conduct risk assessment to identify potential areas of concern and develop strategies to mitigate risk.
• Analyze programs for effectiveness based on financial, strategic, and program objectives.
• Develop a communication strategy regarding summer meal locations with both external stakeholders and current partners, including those in Operation Backpack.
• Actively participate in fieldwork at various meal sites to maintain deep understanding of direct work.

Team Management

• Develop a collaborative and dynamic team-based environment to drive innovation and enhance program delivery.
  • Successfully supervise and coach staff, including short-term team members and interns, on all aspects of programmatic work.
  • Assess performance, provide regular structured feedback, conduct formal performance reviews, and promote/recommend professional development opportunities.
  • Conduct corrective actions related to performance.
  • Effectively manage team workload and the distribution of tasks through strategic assignment and scheduling.
  • Exercise sound judgment and diplomacy in decision-making and problem solving.

Resource and Relationship Management

• Manage key vendor relationships, serving as the primary point of contact and resolving issues as they arrive, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• Effectively facilitate the bid process under USDA guidelines, negotiating favorable contract terms, pricing, and service levels that meet programmatic needs
• Oversee development of program menus in accordance with OFS Nutrition Policy.
• Collaborate with Nutrition Access Manager to facilitate ordering and timely delivery of food product and related supplies. Oversee inventory of all food products utilizing the Primarius Database.
• Ensure accurate financial records and timely processing of payment information for all purchases.

Leadership

• Work collaboratively with Senior Managers to ensure all programmatic efforts align and integrate with organizational strategic goals, metrics and outcomes.
• Enhance cross-departmental efforts and promote organizational efficiency by communicating effectively across the organization at all levels and contributing to leadership meetings.
• Provide insight during weekly and one-on-one meetings with key senior staff.
• Provide guidance and training to reporting staff on federal guidelines, ensuring adherence to audit methodologies.

Culture of Philanthropy

• Work with the OFS Development team to identify appropriate grant opportunities and create project proposals that accurately represent the goals of child nutrition programs.
• Attend and contribute to various community collaboratives to advance the work of the Child Nutrition department.
• Support fund raising efforts for the organization by attending and/or volunteering at occasional events
• Increase awareness of Child Nutrition Programs through newsletters and other media outlets to the public.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, nutrition, social work, or related field or equivalent work experience preferred. We value diverse educational backgrounds and life experiences.
• 3 years' relevant experience in community-based programs, program planning, non-profit administration, or hunger-relief efforts.
• Minimum 1 years' experience in people management.
• ServSafe Manager Certification or willingness to complete certification within 90 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of program planning, administration, and evaluation.
• Familiarity with USDA regulations governing child nutrition programs.
• Ability to develop a strong staff team, nurturing and supporting them to reach their highest potential.
• Results-driven professional, with a strong desire to confront and solve problems.
• Ability to establish positive interpersonal relationships with staff and colleagues, as well as external community for networking and partnership building.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining high levels of productivity.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner and without close supervision.
• Possession of a flexible and growth-based mindset and desire to actively seek out opportunities to learn.
• Commitment to racial equity, and the ability to work in and understand the needs of diverse, multi-cultural populations.
• Knowledge of local community organizations and programs, as well as understanding of food insecurity and food access issues in the St. Louis region.
• Proficient computer skills with Teams, MS Office, PowerPoint, Google Drive, and Excel.

Special Requirements:

• Occasional travel required for meetings, events, and conferences
• Flexibility in working hours for occasional special events after-hours or weekend activities
• Willingness to volunteer for other OFS duties that don't fall under regular job duties
• Valid driver's license

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Sedentary inside office work with limited exposure to weather conditions
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors

Benefits – FT Positions

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HSA, HRA, and FSA
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and sick time, paid holidays
• Short and long-term disability income
• Company paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary employee paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness support
• Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified

To Apply: We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Interested candidates should submit their application and include their resume at https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3409533/Operation-Food-Search-Inc/Child-Nutrition-Program-Manager 

Location: 1644 Lotsie Blvd., Overland, MO 63132

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Salary : $54,600 - $68,300