Food and Nutrition Services Director (2026-2027)

Primary Purpose:

Direct and manage the child nutrition operation of the district. Plan and implement programs that meet regulatory and nutritional requirements for students promote development of sound nutritional practices and maintain a safe and sanitary environment.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelors degree or equivalent educational experience with academic major in food and nutrition dietetics home and consumer sciences food service management nutrition education culinary arts business or a related field**

Eight hours of food safety training (completed not more than five years prior to employees start date or within 30 days of employees start date)

Clear and valid Texas drivers license

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of menu planning food purchasing and preparation of foods in food service environment

Ability to conduct on-site inspections of food service facilities districtwide

Ability to manage budget and personnel

Ability to implement policy and procedures

Ability to interpret data

Strong organization communication and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Five years experience in food service management

Three years experience in food service environment

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Food Service Operations

1. Direct and manage districts food service programs.
2. Develop menus that meet established nutritional requirements for students.
3. Work cooperatively with campus principals to create lunch schedules and resolve personnel issues.
4. Establish and direct process of providing free and reduced lunch applications following United States Department of Agricultures and Texas Education Agency guidelines for meal eligibility and reimbursement of federal funds.
5. Develop and maintain written department procedures for all food service operations.

Policy Reports and Law

1. Implement federal and state law State Board of Education rule and board policy.
2. Compile maintain and file all reports records and other documents required.
3. Ensure that employee time records are accurately maintained and data necessary to process food service payroll is delivered in a timely manner.
4. Complete minimum annual continuing education requirements.

Budget and Inventory

1. Develop and administer budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
2. Work cooperatively to develop and implement a cost-effective and efficient food procurement and inventory system that meets both federal and Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards.
3. Assist with the evaluation of formal bids and make recommendations for the awarding of contracts for school board approval.
4. Approve and forward invoices and purchase orders for food service department to accounting department.
5. Develop and implement inventory and stock control program for equipment and supplies and recommend replacement and disposal of obsolete equipment as necessary.

Personnel Management

1. Select train supervise and evaluate staff and make recommendations relative to assignment retention discipline and dismissal.
2. Prepare review and revise job descriptions for food service department positions.
3. Develop training options and improvement plans to ensure exemplary operation in the food service area.

Safety

1. Ensure that measures are in place and operating to protect food supplies and equipment in school cafeterias lunchrooms and warehouses.
2. Maintain safety standards that confirm with federal state and insurance regulations and develop a program of preventive safety.

1. Organize and conduct training programs to promote safe food handling and a safe work environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise evaluate and recommend the hiring and firing of campus cafeteria managers supervisors and support staff assigned to the child nutrition department.*

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals; district vehicle

Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping pushing/pulling and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; frequent districtwide travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions maintain emotional control under stress

*To meet the executive exemption test the primary duty must be management and the employee must supervise at least two full-time employees.

**School Nutrition Directors hired after July 1 2015 may alternatively have a Bachelors degree in any academic major and a state-recognized certificate for school nutrition directors OR

• Districts with 2499 students or less: A Bachelors degree in any academic major and at least one year of relevant school nutrition programs experience; an Associates degree or equivalent educational experience with academic major in food and nutrition dietetics home and consumer sciences food service management nutrition education culinary arts business or a related field; or a high school diploma (or GED) and at least three years of relevant experience in school nutrition districts of less than 500 students the Texas Department of Agriculture may approve a candidate who meets the education requirements but has less than three years experience.
• Districts with 2500 to 9999 students: A Bachelors degree in any academic major and at least two years of relevant school nutrition programs experience or an Associates degree or equivalent educational experience with academic major in in food and nutrition dietetics home and consumer sciences food service management nutrition education culinary arts business or a related field and at least two years of relevant school nutrition programs experience.
• Districts with 10000 or more students: A Bachelors degree in any academic major and at least five years experience in management of school nutrition programs.

Required Experience:

Director