Whitsons Culinary Group-posted about 2 months ago
Full-time • Manager
Groton, CT
1,001-5,000 employees
Food Services and Drinking Places

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. What You'll Do: 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 We're Looking For: 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) Why Join Us? 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 About Us: At Whitsons, we believe that every school meal is an opportunity to fuel success. As our General Manager, you'll lead a team dedicated to serving nutritious, student-approved meals with care, efficiency, and pride. Your leadership will help create a kitchen that's more than a workplace-it's a hub of health, learning, and community. Apply now and bring your leadership to the lunch line-one student, one meal at a time! At Whitsons our mission is Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time.

  • 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
  • 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)
  • Bachelors' degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field. OR
  • Bachelors' degree or equivalent with any academic major AND a state recognized certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, or business. OR
  • Associates degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field AND at least one year of relevant school nutrition programs experience. OR
  • High School diploma or GED AND at least Five (5) years' experience in school nutrition programs.
  • ServSafe Mandatory- Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local health and food safety ordinances.
  • Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications is required.
  • Must be able to communicate electronically through use of email and other similar computer platforms.
  • Able to learn new programs easily and quickly.
  • 3 years' experience in Food Service Management as a Manager/Director required.
  • Minimum 1 year experience in K-12 programs required.
  • Strong interest in school nutrition program development.
  • Culinary background is required - Must have a passion and an interest in food
  • Working knowledge of cooking procedures and recipe adherence and scaling.
  • Must have demonstrated experience developing talent and managing multiple priorities
  • Must be able to use "critical thinking" skills in order to resolve problems or would result in improving program overall.
  • Ability to effectively communicate verbally, electronically and written with clients, parents, students and support staff.
  • Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills
  • K-12 or institutional preferred
  • Bilingual Spanish is highly desirable.
  • 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
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