General Manager - Harvey School Nutrition
Whitsons Culinary Group•Harvey, IL
•Onsite
About The Position
Food Service General Manager – Lead with Purpose in School Nutrition! School Dining Leadership Are you a food service leader who’s passionate about people, operations, and purpose? Join our school nutrition team as a Food Service General Manager and take the lead in a mission-driven kitchen that fuels young minds and futures.
Requirements
- 3–5 years of experience in food service management (K–12 or institutional preferred)
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Knowledge of USDA school meal guidelines and food safety regulations
- A hands-on leader who builds strong teams and models accountability
- ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain)
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or similar OR Bachelor’s degree in any field plus either a state-recognized school nutrition director certificate or at least 1 year of relevant food service experience OR Associate’s degree in a related field plus at least 1 year of relevant food service experience OR High school diploma/equivalency plus at least 3 years of relevant food service experience
- Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in restaurant or food service operations
- Minimum 3-5 years of general management experience with full P&L responsibility
- 3 years’ experience in Food Service Management as a Manager/Director required
- Minimum 1 year experience in K-12 programs required
- ServSafe Mandatory– Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local health and food safety ordinances.
- Yearly mandatory training in accordance with USDA Professional Standards requirements as well as mandatory Whitsons training requirements
- Strong business acumen including financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management
- Proficiency in POS platforms, scheduling software, and reporting tools
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for business planning, analysis, and communication
- Understanding of marketing strategies, and customer relationship management as they relate to school nutrition dining
- Demonstrated success in driving sales growth, controlling costs, and achieving profitability targets
- Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams
- Working knowledge of cooking procedures and recipe adherence and scaling
Nice To Haves
- Additional management or hospitality certifications a plus
- Experience in multi-unit oversight or area management a plus
- Bi-lingual in Spanish highly desirable
Responsibilities
- Inspire and lead the food service team to deliver nutritious, high-quality meals to students and staff
- Oversee all aspects of daily operations: scheduling, inventory, compliance, and food safety
- Partner with school staff to ensure meals support student health, learning, and well-being
- Ensure compliance with state and federal child nutrition program guidelines (NSLP, SBP, etc.)
- Manage budgets, staffing, vendor relationships, and performance goals
- Foster a positive, student-centered, and inclusive kitchen culture
Benefits
- Competitive salary + performance bonus opportunities
- Family-friendly schedule – no nights or weekends
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid holidays, time off, and retirement plans
- A chance to shape a food program that supports learning, growth, and equity
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
Upload and Match Resume
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
