Assistant Manager with Catering experience

Assistant Food Service Manager – Support, Lead & Grow in School Nutrition!
School Dining Support & Leadership
Are you a hands-on food service professional with a heart for helping teams succeed? Join our school nutrition team as an Assistant Food Service Manager, where you’ll support daily operations, ensure compliance, and help deliver healthy meals that fuel student success.

What You’ll Do:

• Support the General Manager in overseeing day-to-day operations across multiple school kitchens
• Help lead a team that prepares and serves nutritious, high-quality meals to students
• Assist with scheduling, inventory, food safety, and compliance with USDA nutrition programs (NSLP, SBP, etc.)
• Serve as a key point of contact for school staff and clients in the absence of the General Manager
• Train, mentor, and support team members to promote a positive and productive kitchen culture
• Monitor budgetary goals, help manage costs, and ensure effective use of commodities
• Assist with audits, inspections, and ensure kitchens are always ready for review
• Be present in the schools—80% of your day will be spent in action, supporting your teams on-site

We’re Looking For:

• 3 years of food service management experience, preferably in a K–12 or institutional setting
• A culinary background with working knowledge of recipes, production, and portion control
• Strong communication, leadership, and time management skills
• Knowledge of USDA meal programs and local health department guidelines
• Ability to multi-task, think critically, and solve problems on the go
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and email communication
• ServSafe certification required (or ability to obtain)
• Spanish-speaking a plus!

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary and professional growth opportunities
• Family-friendly schedule – Monday through Friday, no nights or weekends
• Health, dental, vision insurance 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Make a meaningful difference in students’ health, well-being, and success

About Us:

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we believe school meals should be delicious, nutritious, and made with purpose. As an Assistant Food Service Manager, you’ll help lead the charge in creating a food program that’s more than just meals—it’s a key part of every student’s day. Your leadership and support will ensure that kitchens run smoothly, teams feel empowered, and students leave the lunch line ready to thrive.

Apply now and take the next step in your food service leadership journey—at Whitsons, our mission is Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™.

Salary starting at 45k

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

 Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field. OR
• Bachelors degree or equivalent with any academic major AND a state recognized certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, or business. OR
• Associates degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field AND at least one year of relevant school nutrition programs experience. OR
• High School diploma or GED AND at least Five (5) years experience in school nutrition programs.

Certifications:

• ServSafe Mandatory-- Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local health and food safety ordinances.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications is required.
• Must be able to communicate electronically through use of email and other similar computer platforms.
• Able to learn new programs easily and quickly.

Other Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• 3 years experience in Food Service Management as a Manager/Director required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in K-12 programs required. Strong interest in school nutrition program development.
• Must have demonstrated experience developing talent and managing multiple priorities
• Must be able to use "critical thinking" skills in order to resolve problems or would result in improving program overall.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally, electronically and written with clients, parents, students and support staff.
• Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills. 

• (K-12) role, experience in K-12 food service is a plus.

• Candidates must: Be comfortable working with school leads

• Have knowledge of USDA guidelines on meal patterns

  Understand meal production, record-keeping, and food operations basics

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member 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 team member is frequently required Sit, walk, talk and hear
• Use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Be standing on feet majority of the workday in addition to walking back and forth.
• Lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Lifting while turning side to side is sometimes necessary.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Position may require extended hours including evenings and/or weekends, travel to multiple work sites and occasional out-of-district travel. Must be able to drive his/her own vehicle to other work sites.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member 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 work is performed primarily in a office space. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work and duties that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, and the Company reserves the right to add additional duties or modify existing duties.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.