Director of Child Nutrition Programs

Job Description

SHAWNEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Title: Director of Child Nutrition Programs

Reports To: Executive Director of Operations

Site: Shawnee Public Schools Central Office

Qualications

Credentials: Motor Vehicle Operator's (DMV) License or ability to provide own transportation.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management or Business Management preferred.

Training or Experience Required: Must demonstrate aptitude for performing tasks in large scale food preparation; Must have at least two to three years’ experience in volume food preparation; and two years supervising a child nutrition program. Knowledge of safety guidelines and policies to avoid accident and injury, inclusive of the District Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.

Job Summary: Performs administrative level food service duties under limited supervision to oversee the Child Nutrition Programs and oversee the preparation and serving of delicious and nutritious meals and cleaning up after the students/teachers eat. Prepares necessary paper work to handle money or other charges/non-charges and to properly record information for reimbursement; Prepares menus and purchases/orders food and equipment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Be customer focused to resolve problems effectively.
• Manage human resources and diversity while promoting: productivity and efficiency; health and safety; employee training and development, empowerment, and appraisal; constructive corrective counseling and discipline; resolution of complaints or grievances.
• Manage resources with fiscal responsibility while maintaining proper accountability of records.
• Manage information and communications with staff and public effectively.
• Conduct short- and long-range planning to set and/or attain district goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate leadership by being a good role model to reinforce productive and customer-focused behavior; use creativity, innovation, and initiative to identify solutions to problems.
• Be a team player with co-workers, subordinates, other managers, and community leaders to accomplish district objectives or goals.
• Contribute to quality of district programs including extracurricular programs; Be involved in personal growth and development.
  
  

Essential Job Functions/Performance Responsibilities:

• Oversees the development of uniform personnel policies for school child nutrition employees, basic job descriptions, salary schedules and benefits. Administers personnel policies.
• Interviews and recommends placement of school child nutrition personnel. Establishes work performance standards and plans work schedules. Evaluates school child nutrition Managers and central office personnel.
• Plans in-service training programs, personnel conferences and regular staff meetings. Keeps personnel informed of required health and safety laws, good sanitation practices, and changes to child nutrition program policies. Establishes Nutrition Education guidelines. Implements Nutrition Education Training as outlined in the Child Nutrition Program.
• Handles all grievances and recommends solutions for discipline in accordance with district/union policy and procedure.
• Cooperates with principals and others to plan lunch schedules to fit the requirements and facilities of each school.
• Plans menus based on nutritional integrity and pupil acceptance. Develops standard recipes and portions to be used in the preparation and serving of food.
• Develops specifications and standards of quality for purchasing of food, supplies and small equipment.
• Prepares and awards bids for purchase of items following the Child Nutrition and district policies and procedures.
• Develops procedures for receiving food and supplies and arranges for their proper storage and distribution.
• Makes application for government surplus food and directs proper use and distribution of products according to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations and shelf-life standards.
• Cooperates in establishing a financial policy that will permit the serving of lunches at a minimum cost to the student and the taxpayer.
• Assists in developing or administering accounting procedures and records for control and management of money, labor, food, supplies, and other costs. Prepares claim forms for federal reimbursements.
• Develops and implements marketing strategies designed to increase participation and changes food choices accordingly.
• Cooperates in the planning of child nutrition facilities including layouts and the selection of large and small equipment and furnishings, making use of established criteria.
• Keeps informed of new developments in equipment, food products, and nutritional guidelines that will improve the school child nutrition program. Attends school board meetings and must be prepared to report on activities if asked.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining records necessary for control of equipment and supplies.
• Instructs personnel in use and care of equipment and supplies.
• Maintains high standards of sanitation and safety in all phases of the school child nutrition program.
• Interprets local and state health laws and regulations.
• Visits various school sites.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Administration.
  
  

Supervision exercised: Employee supervises a large staff of employees.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Working Conditions: On occasion, may assist with food service duties whose requirements are listed below.

• Walking/standing is required 2 to 4 hours a day.
• Frequent bending/stooping and squatting/crouching; occasional crawling/kneeling, and climbing.
• Able to reach above shoulders and push/pull occasionally on the job.
• Able to lift up to 35 pounds on a frequent basis and 50 pounds occasionally.
• Possesses the visual requirements to be aware of surrounding especially relative to work output and safety concerns.
• Ability to communicate with employees, patrons, and the students in person.
• Able to run cash registers and maintain accurate records of names and numbers of those forgetting meal tickets.
• Requires working around noise of machines and equipment; in fluctuating temperature an in humid environments, around some hazardous equipment (mixers, slicers, steamers), boiling liquids and very hot ovens, stoves, dishwashers, and oven cleaners, fumes, gases etc.
• Works around spills/slick floors and other impediments on occasion. Observes safe working conditions and watches for other’s safety and health.
  
  

Terms of Employment: Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the District. (remaining days in 260-day contract)

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Shawnee Board Policy on evaluation of personnel.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Revised: December 2, 2025