Area Director - K-12 School Food Service

Lunchtime Solutions•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

Lunchtime Solutions is seeking an Area Director to join its Operations leadership team, supporting continued growth along the I-29 corridor in the Sioux Falls or Sioux City area. The position provides strategic direction and leadership to Food Service Directors (FSDs) across an assigned geographic area. The Area Director helps create exceptional school food service operations by hiring and developing team members and ensuring systems and procedures are implemented and executed effectively at the school district level. The role is carried out through an authentic, collaborative, and energetic approach guided by Lunchtime Solutions’ mission and values. The Area Director leads and develops a productive team, maintains strong customer relationships, establishes and monitors operational goals, and partners with FSDs on budgets and profitability. The role also audits school operations for compliance, safety, service quality, and other performance areas; oversees new-school start-ups; and contributes to company projects and growth. The position is based along the I-29 corridor in the Sioux Falls or Sioux City area. The schedule is Monday through Friday with flexibility, and work may be done from a home office when not traveling to assigned K-12 school districts. Travel within the territory may take up to 50% of the time and can include overnight stays. A company-issued vehicle is provided for business travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
For external hires, 5–7 years of multi-site food service management experience.
Proven experience leading teams of professionals within a decentralized organization.
Extensive food service industry experience and broad knowledge of establishing and maintaining customer relationships.
Exemplary leadership skills.
Strong communication and customer management skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent training and development skills.
Ability to read and analyze P&L statements, develop budgets, and identify trends in operational metrics.
Ability to develop long-term strategic plans and lead or participate in short-term operational implementation.
Ability to determine priorities, manage time effectively, and develop work plans to accomplish tasks and projects.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including business correspondence and developing and presenting business presentations and trainings.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 Suite.
Ability to travel within an assigned territory, up to 50% of the time, including some overnight travel.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate commitment to the company’s mission, culture, and values, and ensure they are communicated, understood, and practiced by team members in the assigned area.
Lead and manage a productive, motivated team through regular meetings, communication, empowerment, recognition, and coaching.
Engage Food Service Directors (FSDs) and maintain a consistent two-way flow of information that supports collaboration, trust, and open communication.
Manage customer relationships to maintain customer satisfaction and business retention, including regular meetings and transparent, accountable communication.
Develop short- and long-term operational goals and strategies with assigned FSDs, and monitor progress.
Develop operating budgets with assigned FSDs and drive operating goals and profitability through P&L and key performance metric analysis.
Conduct audits and ensure school performance in operational policy and safety compliance, regulatory compliance, menu planning, food production, ordering, recipe standards, service, point of sale, team member management and training, inventory, promotions, and customer feedback evaluation.
Directly oversee and manage start-ups of new schools.
Prepare and present business presentations and trainings as required.
Serve on company project teams or committees and contribute to the company’s growth and development.