Director of Food Services

Anaheim Union High School District • Anaheim, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Food Services provides strategic leadership and assumes overall administrative responsibility for the Food Services Department. This position serves as the School Food Authority (SFA) director for two independent school districts (Anaheim Union High School District and Anaheim Elementary School District), overseeing a combined enrollment of 36,000+ students and 35,000+ daily meals. Unlike single-district management roles, the incumbent must manage dual-district compliance, inter-agency operational logistics, joint board reporting, and complex USDA/CDE regulatory oversight.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with a major in dietetics, foods and nutrition, or closely related field.
• Five years of administrative management experience in a large school food service operation, which serves at least 10,000 meals daily.
• Must have a valid, accredited, Food Safety Manager Certificate or equivalent (e.g. Serve Safe, etc.).
• Access to reliable transportation for job-related travel.
• Principles and practices relative to the management of a comprehensive food service program.
• Nutrition, food values, food combinations, economical substitutions and menu planning.
• Procedures, methods, techniques and equipment used in the preparation, cooking and serving of large quantities of food, including quality and portion control.
• Banquet planning, preparation and service.
• Principles and techniques of budget development and administration.
• Principles of financial management, markets, food sources, merchandising principles.
• Legal mandates and guidelines pertaining to a nutrition service program, including requirements of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
• Concept of collective bargaining and labor agreements.
• Safe and sanitary working methods and HACCP procedures.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training.
• Concept of progressive discipline.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Plan, organize control, direct the operations and activities of District-wide nutrition service programs and school cafeterias.
• Accept and carry out responsibility for direction, control and planning.
• Analyze and develop efficient and effective nutrition service operational methods and procedures.
• Demonstrate appropriate cooking, baking, serving and cleaning methods and techniques.
• Prepare specifications and analyze bids for food, supply and equipment contracts.
• Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
• Evaluate food products, supplies and equipment.
• Train and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Operate a computer and assigned office equipment.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Plan and organize work.
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
• Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports and files related to assigned activities.
• Prepare and present oral presentations.
• Stand, walk, sit, lift and carry up to 25 lbs., maintain balance, stoop, bend, use fingers repetitively, have rapid mental/muscular coordination, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, have depth perception, color vision, see small details, use a computer and a telephone.

Nice To Haves

• Registered Dietitian (R.D.) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) status with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Five years of administrative management experience in a large school food service operation, which serves at least 20,000 meals daily.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the District and contract sites Nutrition Services Program, assuring cost effectiveness and compliance with District, state and federal requirements regarding nutrition, sanitation, safety, and purchasing and accounting functions.
• Coordinates, directs and maintains wellness programs.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.
• Plans, organizes, controls, directs and supervises District-wide Food Services Programs to provide school lunches and breakfasts and other special nutrition services for District and contract sites, the central kitchen, and special functions in compliance with federal and State regulations.
• Directs and manages the District's catering program, and summer food service program.
• Plans and directs nutrition service programs in compliance with accepted accounting principles and District policies.
• Establishes standards and administers the nutrition service program in accordance with nutritional, health and fiscal requirements.
• Provides nutrition service for special feeding programs approved by the District.
• Develops and implements standards for the operation of an efficient, sanitary and high quality nutrition service program for Anaheim Union High School District and Anaheim City Elementary School District according to local and State health codes.
• Directs preparation of menus to insure proper nutritional standards.
• Directs the establishment of recipes, portions and prices.
• Plans, develops and prepares the annual preliminary budget for the Food Services Department.
• Analyzes and reviews budgetary and financial data.
• Controls and authorizes expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• Analyzes trends in school meal sales and costs.
• Develops specifications for purchase of equipment, supplies and food products.
• Communicates with vendors.
• Develop contracts with other agencies and outside businesses.
• Review and approve requisitions for supplies and equipment.
• Travels to various sites to conduct site observations; monitors operations and services; evaluates organization and sanitation of facility, compliance to State, federal and local regulations, and equipment and supply needs; makes recommendations regarding improvements in safety and productivity.
• Maintains department records, accounts, inventories and files in compliance with federal, State and local policy.
• Oversees record-keeping of stores, equipment maintenance costs and inventory control of food, supplies and equipment.
• Establishes and maintains a proactive preventative maintenance program for food service equipment and vehicles.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of cafeteria and cafeteria kitchen design, renovation and construction.
• Establishes, directs, and maintains District wellness council comprised of District and school site administrators, health services staff, faculty, parents, students, community service organizations, and other interested parties to study and address needs to maintain and improve wellness in the school community.
• Coordinates with OCDE, CDE, National Institute of Health and local universities to research, develop, implement and facilitate interventions designed to reduce childhood obesity and related diseases.
• Provides direction regarding nutrition education and wellness initiatives.
• Prepares materials and makes presentations in classrooms to support nutrition education as required.
• Attends and conducts a variety of meetings as assigned.
• Operates a computer and assigned software programs.
• Operates various kitchen equipment and utensils.
• Operates standard office equipment as assigned.
• Travels to various sites to conduct work.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Trains and evaluates the performance of assigned staff.
• Interviews and selects employees and recommends transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions.
• Supervises warehousing and distribution of food and non-food supplies.
• Supervises accounting and reporting systems.
• Responsible for the administration of the collective bargaining agreement relating to Classified Food Service personnel.
• Conducts staff in-service and training sessions to demonstrate appropriate cooking, baking, serving and cleaning methods and techniques.
• Communicates with other administrators, personnel and outside organizations to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information.
• Works with principals, students, district administrators and parents to establish and maintain customer friendly environment dedicated to providing food service program that meets the needs of the District's students.
• Develops and implements marketing programs to meet customer needs and improve financial performance.
• Assists in the development of short and long-range goals for the department including program operations and facilities.
• Provides technical expertise, information and assistance to the Assistant Superintendent regarding assigned functions.
• Assists in the formulation and development of policies, procedures and programs.
• Advises the Assistant Superintendent of unusual trends or problems and recommends appropriate corrective action.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities and personnel.
• Interprets nutrition service program to management, staff and the community.

Benefits

• 100% employer contribution towards employee and family premiums
• Sick leave, holidays, bereavement and emergency leaves.
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
• Medical, dental, vision care, behavioral health and life insurance for the employees and their dependents.

What This Job Offers

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