Nutrition Operations Manager

SERVING SENIORS•San Diego, CA

just now•Onsite

About The Position

The Food Service/Dining Services Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for the daily oversight of congregate meal service at Serving Seniors’ flagship Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. This role supervises a team of about 15 food service workers, drivers, and volunteers while ensuring that meals are delivered with efficiency, dignity, and respect. The Nutrition Operations Manager will lead onsite operations, build team accountability, and support systems improvements in collaboration with senior leadership. This new position is part of a long-term strategy to build internal leadership capacity and systems within the Nutrition department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Foodservice Management, Business Management, Nutrition, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in food service, operations, or similar community-based program delivery. A combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Certified Food Safety Manager certificate in the state of California.
Strong, confident leadership with the ability to guide and hold staff accountable while remaining approachable and supportive.
Advanced professional writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and strategic communications for internal and external audiences.
Excellent customer service and de-escalation skills in interactions with seniors, guests, and volunteers.
Able to maintain professionalism and compassion in a dynamic, client-facing environment.
Skilled at organizing workflows, scheduling, and managing time-sensitive service delivery.
High attention to detail with ability to complete reports accurately and on time.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Must be reliable, adaptable, and committed to team success.
Valid California Driver’s License required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with older adults is preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish/Mandarin) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversees daily operations of congregate meal service, ensuring a seamless, respectful, and timely dining experience for older adult participants.
Leads and manages a team of food service workers, drivers, and volunteers; builds a high-performing, customer-focused team culture.
Develops and implements operational systems to optimize staff scheduling, inventory tracking, meal forecasting, and service workflow.
Creates and maintains standard operating procedures, staff training programs, and quality assurance systems for food service delivery.
Provides direct supervision during meal service, including kitchen operations, participant check-in, and donation collection.
Ensures accurate forecasting and reporting of meals ordered and served to maximize allowable claims, reduce waste, and meet funding requirements.
Collaborates with the Senior Director of Nutrition Services to support departmental performance goals, budget monitoring, and operational benchmarks.
Prepares staff schedules and timecards; monitors attendance, approves time off, and conducts regular performance evaluations.
Coordinates and monitors inventory, supply ordering, and vendor communication for the site; ensures equipment is maintained and used properly.
Conducts site audits to ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards; addresses deficiencies promptly.
Serves as the point person for staff and participant concerns at the site; de-escalates conflicts and supports team members in responding to challenging client behaviors, including individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health instability.
Works cross-functionally with Facilities, Volunteers & Activities, Health & Social Services, and vendor partners to ensure integrated service delivery.
Participates in special event planning and execution, including catered meals, holiday meals, and donor site visits.
Supports grant compliance, audit readiness, and data accuracy by ensuring timely and accurate submission of reports and records.
Models the values of Serving Seniors and contributes to a strong organizational culture of accountability, innovation, empathy, and impact.