Director of Food & Farm-to-Table Services

Vogel•Dallas, TX

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Vogel, a leader in providing high-quality early childhood care and education to families experiencing homelessness, is seeking a dynamic Director of Food & Farm-to-Table Services to join their leadership team. This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all food service operations and the Farm-to-Table Garden Program across Vogel's campuses. The position ensures children receive nutritious meals, champions USDA CACFP compliance, and integrates garden-grown produce into seasonal menus. This is a full-time, salaried exempt position.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in food service operations, including supervising employees and managing departmental operations.
Thorough knowledge of USDA CACFP regulations and reimbursement requirements.
Working knowledge of Texas Child Care Licensing and Dallas County Health Department regulations.
Current ServSafe Manager Certification or ability to obtain one.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets, purchasing, and inventory in a food service environment.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to analyze operational data and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to treating every child and family with dignity and respect.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
Ability to perform duties associated with commercial kitchen operations.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for all food service operations across Vogel's campuses.
Ensure children receive nutritious, wholesome, visually appealing, and great-tasting meals.
Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, food safety, sanitation, and customer service.
Ensure meals and snacks are prepared and delivered accurately and on schedule.
Promote scratch cooking and maximize the use of fresh, Vogel-grown produce throughout seasonal menus.
Ensure safe preparation and delivery of meals for children with allergies and physician-directed special diets.
Foster positive dining experiences that encourage healthy eating habits.
Serve as Vogel's subject matter expert for USDA CACFP requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain all food service policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance across every campus.
Maintain complete and accurate CACFP documentation and monitor reimbursement records and meal count accuracy.
Conduct routine internal compliance reviews and prepare for and lead all state and federal monitoring visits.
Train kitchen and classroom staff regarding CACFP requirements and correct deficiencies promptly.
Ensure compliance with USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Child Care Licensing, and Dallas County Health Department regulations.
Supervise the Farm-to-Table Garden Coordinator and develop annual garden production plans.
Establish measurable seasonal production and harvest goals and coordinate planting schedules with menu planning.
Review harvest reports and production metrics and hold the Garden Coordinator accountable for production goals.
Maintain garden budgets and promote sustainable growing practices.
Collaborate with Early Childhood Education leadership to support age-appropriate outdoor learning opportunities connected to the gardens.
Develop seasonal menus that balance nutrition, child preferences, operational efficiency, and budget.
Ensure menus meet USDA CACFP nutritional standards and coordinate menus around seasonal harvests.
Monitor student participation and meal acceptance and continuously improve menu quality and nutritional value.
Develop and manage the annual Food Service and Farm-to-Table Garden budgets.
Monitor food costs, forecast purchasing needs, maintain accurate inventories, and negotiate with vendors.
Maximize USDA reimbursement opportunities and maintain cost-effective purchasing practices.
Supervise all Food Service personnel and the Farm-to-Table Garden Coordinator.
Conduct regular coaching meetings and complete annual performance evaluations.
Develop staff through coaching, professional development, and cross-training.
Foster teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture aligned with Vogel's mission.
Build and maintain positive relationships with food vendors, suppliers, and community partners.
Collaborate with Early Childhood Education, Family Support, Operations, and Facilities departments to improve service delivery.
Support volunteer activities in the kitchen and gardens while maintaining food safety and operational standards.
Represent Food & Farm-to-Table Services during organizational meetings, special events, donor visits, and community tours.