Director of Food Service

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Director of Food Service will oversee all aspects of the Northview Public Schools Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operation. The job functions include administrating

planning directing assessing implementing and evaluating the program in order to meet

the nutritional and educational needs of children as they relate to the CNP. The school

nutrition professional shall partner with others in the school district and community to

solicit support for the development of a sound nutrition assistance food program while

following federal state and local guidelines. The CNP is to provide an environment that

supports healthy food habits while maintaining program integrity and customer

satisfaction.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Candidates must meet the requirements in either paragraph A B C or D.

1. A bachelors degree or equivalent educational experience with an academic major or concentration in food and nutrition food service management dietetics family and consumer sciences nutrition education culinary arts business or a related field;
2. A bachelors degree or equivalent educational experience with any academic major or area of concentration and a State-recognized certificate for school nutrition directors/supervisor;
3. A bachelors degree in any academic major and at least two years of relevant experience in school nutrition programs; or
4. An associates degree or equivalent educational experience with an academic major or area of 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 two years of relevant school nutrition program experience. If the Director is hired with an associates degree it is strongly encouraged to work toward attaining a bachelors degree in an academic major in the fields listed in this paragraph.

Training and Experience:

• Candidates are required to have completed at least eight hours of food safety training within five years prior to their starting date or complete eight hours of food safety training within 30 calendar days of their starting date.
• Ongoing training and professional development as required by United States Dietary Association (USDA) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
• Food Service leadership experience within a school district is preferred.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Computer literacy especially working with management information systems that increase the efficiency of the school food and nutrition operation spreadsheets and financial statements; communication and presentation skills are highly desirable.
• Possess the capacity to train staff in using the management information system at individual school sites to maintain and improve management techniques.

Human Relations Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) and relate positively with students parents staff and other members of the community.
• Ability to effectively manage and lead Child Nutrition Program staff.

PRIMARY PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Service

• Establishes quality standards for the presentation and service of food.
• Implements a district-wide customer service driven philosophy that focuses on value and satisfaction.
• Ensures high-quality meal service through strategic menu development regulatory compliance and efficient staff leadership.

Sanitation Food Safety and Employee Safety

• Establishes procedures to ensure that food is prepared and served in a sanitary and safe environment.
• Develops and integrates employee safety regulations into all phases of the school food service operation.
• Establishes procedures and policies for risk management.

Financial Management and Recordkeeping

• Establishes measurable financial objectives and goals for the CNP.
• Manages the CNP using appropriate financial and cash management techniques.
• Implements efficient management techniques to ensure all records and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with local state and federal laws and policies.
• Strong understanding of Offer vs. Serve (OVS) regulations preferred

Food Production

• Develops procedures to ensure the food production system provides safe nutritious food of high quality.
• Ensures operational procedures for efficient and effective food production and distribution.
• Directs comprehensive daily cafeteria operations while providing expert planning and execution for internal catering events.

Procurement

• Implements a cost-effective procurement system.
• Develops purchasing guidelines to ensure purchased food and supplies reflect product knowledge customer preferences district needs policies and nutrition objectives.
• Establishes standards for receiving storing and inventorying food and non-food supplies based on sound principles of management.

Program Accountability

• Ensures CNP compliance with all local state and federal laws regulations and policies.
• Provides technical assistance and training for school foodservice personnel school administrators and other school support staff.
• Develops guidelines for providing services in response to disaster or emergency situations.

Nutrition and Menu Planning

• Develops cost-effective menus that maintain nutrition integrity and meet all local state and federal guidelines and regulations. Assesses customer preferences industry trends and current research to plan menus that encourage participation in the CNP.
• Works with school staff teachers parents and physicians to plan menus for individuals with special nutrition needs.

General Management

• Employs management techniques to maintain an effective and efficient CNP.
• Develops short and long term goals through strategic planning for the district school foodservice program that supports the philosophy and policies of the Board of Education.
• Implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective operations of CNPs.
• Develops a long-range program for establishing professional status for the CNPs role in the education community.
• Reviews current research information to determine health and nutrition-related trends and foodservice management developments; and develops innovative program changes and expansions based on this information.

Personnel Management

• Implements personnel policies and procedures for the CNP according to local state and federal regulations and laws.
• Develops job performance standards and conducts staff evaluations that provide for performance improvement.
• Develops methods for hiring training and evaluating personnel that recognize education experience performance and certification.
• Establishes procedures to implement employee contract agreements progressive discipline and formal grievances.
• Establishes standards for the professional development of the districts CNP personnel.
• Manage a diverse workforce across multiple school buildings.

Facility Layout and Design and Equipment Selection

• Assists with designing and planning facilities that ensure high quality customer service wholesome food production and efficient workflow.
• Determines equipment needs and specifications consistent with program needs and budget.

Environmental Management

• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure environmental responsibility.
• Establishes a waste management system for the CNP that is effective economical and environmentally safe.

Marketing

• Develops a marketing plan to attract students parents teachers administrators support staff and community.
• Conducts an on-going evaluation of the marketing plan.
• Communicates program information to encourage and secure support for the school food and nutrition program from the Board of Education administrators faculty students parents and community.
• Implements a plan for providing foodservice for special functions consistent with Board of Education policies.

Computer Technology

• Implements management information systems that increase the productivity and efficiency of the school food and nutrition operation.
• Trains staff to use computer technology in individual school sites to improve management techniques.

Nutrition Education

• Develops and implements a comprehensive nutrition education program using school cafeterias as learning laboratories.
• Establishes the role of the CNP as a resource for expertise in the development and presentation of nutrition education materials and activities.

Other

• Performs and directs job related proficiency with the highest ethical integrity.
• Performs and directs with a commitment to promote a quality CNP that meets the nutritional needs of the customers served.
• Performs and directs with an overall nature that is committed to the goals and visions of the school district.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned by the Director of Finance & Operations and/ or Deputy Superintendent.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

These characteristics are representative of what an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone and to make presentations.
• Ability to visually see to conduct inspections read prepare and proofread documents.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• Ability to walk stoop bend at the waist kneel and reach with hands and arms overhead and above the shoulders as well as horizontally to retrieve and store supplies or set up for meetings. Should be able to lift up to 50 pounds (lbs).
• Though the noise level is generally moderate must be able to adapt to occasional loud environment.
• The ability to work under stressful conditions during busy periods or when deadlines need to be met.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• This position follows the Administrative Personnel Agreement. The position is full-time (215 day) commitment with an individual one-year contract renewable subject to annual performance evaluations. This position follows the Northview Public Schools academic calendar.
• Directly responsible to the Director of Finance and Operations and Deputy Superintendent.
• Start date begins prior to or on April 13 2026.
• The selected candidate must pass a comprehensive background check as required by Michigan State Police as governed by the Revised School Code.

Required Experience:

Director