Child Nutrition Program Manager

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK • Geneva, IL

17h • $61,918 - $65,788 • Onsite

About The Position

Northern Illinois Food Bank is seeking a reliable, team-oriented professional to join our team as Manager of Child Nutrition Programs to promote, develop, and monitor Food Bank programs that provide food to children in need. The Child Nutrition Program Manager leads the development, expansion, and compliance of Northern Illinois Food Bank’s child nutrition initiatives, including the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and BackPack Program. This role ensures all programs meet Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), USDA, Feeding America, and Northern Illinois Food Bank regulations, while fostering strong partnerships with schools, service providers, children’s programs, and community organizations. The Manager also identifies opportunities to expand food access for children experiencing food insecurity, strategically aligning resources to meet growing needs. This full-time position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva) location.

Requirements

• Four-year degree in social services or related area or equivalent experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Strong customer focus.
• Detail oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning and analytical skills.
• Self-starter and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to understanding and supporting NIFB’s mission; Shows compassion and an appreciation for hunger issues.
• Proficient with various computer programs including— Google Drive, Google Forms, Microsoft Word, Excel Power Point and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with federal child nutrition programs is beneficial.
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work to expand youth program sites by analyzing low-income communities and determining viability of offering youth programs.
• Plan for and recommend resources needed to support program expansion.
• Act as the Food Bank advocate for child programs by promoting public awareness of the programs with government, community leaders, school districts, etc. in addition to participating in public speaking opportunities, material development, and interactions with local media, as applicable.
• Administer, oversee, and monitor both operations and compliance of all current youth nutrition programs with all applicable rules and guidelines.
• Maintain up- to- date tracking of meal service, vendor contract compliance, invoicing, and delivery schedules.
• Continuously evaluate and report operational effectiveness of programs and make modifications as appropriate.
• Design and implement reporting measurements to capture both compliance as well as performance statistics of programs, and program partners.
• Supervise and direct the work of the Child Nutrition Program staff, interns, volunteers,
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and on-boarding process of all team members.
• Continuously research/benchmark best practices for child nutrition programs with respect to types of programs offered as well as effective operation of programs.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with all governing bodies including USDA, ISBE, and Feeding America.
• Advocate for the nutritional needs of low-income children and contribute to the NIFB messaging for the purposes of raising awareness, resource development and impacting public policy.
• Participate in youth service provider forums and associations.
• Work collaboratively with transportation, operations, and programs teams to effectively administer each of the child nutrition programs
• Establish short- and long-term goals for the Child Nutrition Team as they align with the overall Food Bank strategic priories
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Benefits

• Make a Difference: Every role at Northern Illinois Food Bank directly impacts the lives of those we serve.
• Flexible Work Environment: We value work-life balance and support hybrid work models.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.
• The starting pay range for this position is $61,918 - $65,788/annually, based on skills and experience.
• Growth Opportunities: Invest in your career with professional development, career mapping, and leadership training.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse, collaborative team that values equity and belonging.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager