Director of Food & Nutrition

Greater Bergen Community Action•Jersey City, NJ

5h•Onsite

About The Position

Greater Bergen Community Action’s (GBCA) Head Start Preschool program is a rewarding environment for individuals passionate about helping others, seeking to advance their careers while making a positive impact. Our mission is to provide a quality, comprehensive educational program that prepares children and their families for kindergarten and life beyond. With its origins in the War on Poverty, Head Start is one of the longest-running federally funded programs. The Head Start model has been praised and emulated throughout the country. At GBCA, our Head Start Preschool program collaborates with local school districts. We offer a supportive work environment that recognizes the value of every employee, and our focus is continually on staff wellness. We are seeking an experienced and strategic, hands-on Director of Food & Nutrition Services to lead and oversee a multi-site food service operation across three service areas within a Head Start program. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and efficient nutrition services that support the health, development, and school readiness of young children. The Director will provide leadership to kitchen operations, staff supervision, compliance monitoring, and program planning while ensuring alignment with Head Start Performance Standards, USDA requirements, and state/local health. This is an opportunity to lead a critical component of a mission-driven program serving children and families across multiple communities. You will play a key role in ensuring children receive nutritious meals that support their growth, health, and readiness to learn.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Service Management, or related field required
Registered Dietician
Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in food service operations, preferably in early childhood, school nutrition, or large-scale institutional settings
Strong knowledge of CACFP, USDA regulations, and food safety standards
Experience managing multi-site operations and supervising diverse teams
Demonstrated ability to lead compliance, audits, and program improvement initiatives
Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
Certified ServSafe Manager credential
Good computer skills – Microsoft applications and knowledge of nutrient analysis programs.
Strong writing and verbal presentation skills
Valid NJ driver’s license, good driving history. Use of own vehicle for self-transportation; local travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of USDA Childcare guidelines is a plus
Bilingual Preferred Spanish/Arabic/Bengali a plus

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and oversight of food and nutrition services across multiple sites and commercial kitchens
Ensure full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines, and local health department regulations
Develop and implement nutritionally balanced, culturally responsive menus for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
Supervise and support Kitchen Managers, Food Service Staff, and Nutrition personnel across all service areas
Oversee food procurement, vendor management, inventory control, and cost efficiency
Monitor meal service operations, food safety practices, and sanitation standards
Lead program audits, monitoring reviews, and corrective action plans as needed
Collaborate with Family Services, Health, and Education teams to support whole-child outcomes
Provide training and professional development to food service staff
Manage departmental budget, forecasting, and reporting.