25-26 Director of Student Nutrition

Job Title:                     Director of Student Nutrition

Reports To:                 Superintendent

Workdays:                   240 Days

Salary Schedule:         Administrative

JOB SUMMARY

Oversees and directs all aspects of the District Student Nutrition Program (SNP) operation.  Plans, administers, assesses, implements, and evaluates programs that meet regulatory requirements in a safe and sanitary environment that supports nutritional needs of children while maintaining program integrity and customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Directs and coordinates all activities necessary for implementation, operation, evaluation, and improvement of the District student nutrition program.
• Develops and administers policies, procedures, and guidelines consistent with District, state and federal regulations and established plans.
• Organizes and implements a program for the selection, purchase, storage and inventory control of food and supplies for all operations within the student nutrition program.
• Initiates financial policies and procedures necessary for proper fiscal control and operation of the student nutrition program.
• Prepares annual budget and administers food and nutrition services budget to ensure that programs are cost effective, and funds are managed prudently.
• Develops and implements a system for collecting, analyzing, comparing, and reporting cost for each school operation, to evaluate cost-effectiveness for each program.
• Develops, plans, and evaluates menus based on recommended nutritional requirements and budgeted resources.
• Administers and complies with rules pertinent to the USDA foods program.
• Administers and complies with rules pertinent to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
• Maintains confidentially and expediting with the receipt of meals in accordance with federal regulations.
• Establishes and directs food preparation, handling and holding processes that provide for nutritious, wholesome, and safe food while meeting state and local health department standards.
• Organizes, directs, and facilitates the testing and evaluation of food products recipes and equipment.
• Establishes safe working conditions, equipment, and practices for all food service personnel.
• Ensures clean and properly equipped work and storage areas that meet state and local health department standards.
• Ensures compliance with District, state, and federal reporting requirements.
• Establishes staffing formulas, determines labor allocations, and assists cafeteria managers in the staffing, selection, and evaluation of personnel.
• Prepares, reviews and reissues job descriptions for student nutrition program.
• Evaluates job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises personnel and make sound recommendations about personnel placement, transfer, retention, and dismissal.
• Ensures that Student Nutrition Program is supportive of the instructional goals and objectives of the District and the attainment of the campus performance objectives.
• Consults with school principals and administrators to ensure effective operation of the department.
• Develops and recommends specifications for the initial purchase and replacement of kitchen equipment.
• Coordinates the development of kitchen layout and equipment specifications required for new construction with assigned architects and facility planning personnel.
• Communicate and interprets the student nutrition program goals and activities to the public.
• Communicates effectively and clearly within and outside the department as needed to implement systems, introduce policies, and disseminate information.
• Establishes effective relationships and coordination of department functions with schools, other District departments, service, and personnel.
• Articulates to the public the District’s mission and goals and ways in which the Student Nutrition Program supports these directions.
• Performs other assigned duties as may be required by Supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises all assigned food services personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Knowledge of menu planning, food purchasing and preparation of food in food service environment.
• Knowledge of financial management techniques and food service management principles.
• Ability to coordinate District functions.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and data.
• Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) or equivalent educational experience, with any academic major or area of concentration, and a State-recognized certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition educations, culinary arts, or business.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general education periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators and staff.  Bilingual preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plan and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concept such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Registered Dietitian status preferred.  Student Nutrition Association Certified preferred.  Possession of a valid driver’s license and required health certifications for food handling and preparation.  Additional training may be required as determined by Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA, District and state.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to sit.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The information required for this job will be documented in a computer.  Computer assisted presentations will also be made as a regular part of the job.
• Maintain emotional control under stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Working with researching information, entering data, or information into a computer requires quietness in the workplace.  Working with teachers and principals in classrooms and schools requires tolerance to noise.

EVALUATION

The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board of Education’s policy on the evaluation of administrative personnel.

Note: This is not an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job.  This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment.  The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

THE DEMING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, MARITAL STATUS OR HANDICAP IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS

Updated November 2025