School Cafeteria Manager

Cristo Rey Orlando High School

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cristo Rey Network of 41 high schools delivers a career focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic tradition for students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college. Cristo Rey partners with educators, businesses and communities to enable students to fulfill their aspirations for a lifetime of success: students are two times more likely to complete a bachelor's degree by age 24, compared to the total U.S. low-income population. Cristo Rey Orlando High School is located in Orlando, FL, and is part of the national Cristo Rey Network. The school opened its doors to its inaugural freshmen class in the fall of 2025. Like all Cristo Rey schools, it is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for students of all faiths from families of limited financial means. The school is co-educational and serves students of diverse backgrounds. We help our students grow intellectually, academically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and morally. Our aspiration is that all our students graduate from high school and college and become the future leaders in our churches, institutions, businesses, nonprofits, and the community at large. Cristo Rey Orlando will prepare students to excel in college, in career, and in character. Our college-prep curriculum, Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), and faith-based education combine to give students a unique experience and an affordable option for high-quality education. You are a people-first food service professional who finds meaning in showing up every day for students who depend on you. You know how to run a kitchen: managing operations, maintaining quality, and keeping things moving, while also handling the administrative side of a nutrition program with care and integrity. You lead with warmth, operate with discipline, and understand that feeding students well is part of a larger mission. You don't need to have done this in a school before, but you're eager to learn what makes school nutrition unique, and you're excited to grow into it. The mission of Cristo Rey Orlando doesn't just make sense to you, it motivates you. For many of our students, the meals they receive at school are among the most important of their day. As the School Cafeteria Manager at Cristo Rey Orlando High School, you are directly responsible for making sure every student is fed well and that the program behind those meals runs with excellence. This is a hands-on, ground-floor role. You will own the day-to-day operations of our food service program, working independently and alongside any support staff as the program grows. You'll be the person responsible for everything from meal quality to program compliance and as the program scales, you'll play a leading role in building the team around you.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Service Management, Business, or a related field; OR an Associate's degree with at least one year of relevant experience; OR a High School Diploma with three or more years of relevant food service experience
Experience in food service operations, whether in a school, institutional, or commercial kitchen setting
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain it upon hire
Ability to work in a commercial kitchen environment, including standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 pounds, and working in varying temperatures
Commitment to the mission and values of a Catholic educational institution
Ability to communicate effectively in English

Nice To Haves

Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs is a plus, but we are willing to invest in training the right candidate.
Familiarity with National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations or other USDA Child Nutrition Programs
Proficiency in food service software and Point-of-Sale (POS) systems
Experience managing free and reduced-price meal eligibility applications
Training or certifications in food safety and HACCP, purchasing and procurement, financial management, or menu planning
Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Suite
Passion for working in a faith-based educational environment and a genuine connection to the Cristo Rey mission

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day kitchen operations, maintaining high standards for food quality, safety, and service
As the program grows, recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate food service staff in a collaborative and supportive way
Foster a kitchen culture rooted in dignity, care, and mission — from day one and as the team expands
Promote the school nutrition program and support healthy eating initiatives that increase student participation
Oversee day-to-day food service operations including meal planning, production, and service
Develop and manage the nonprofit school food service budget; monitor revenues, expenditures, and cost controls
Manage vendor relationships, food ordering (including USDA commodity foods), and procurement in compliance with federal guidelines
Oversee the free and reduced-price meal eligibility process to ensure students have access to the meals they need
Administer USDA Child Nutrition Programs (NSLP, SBP, SFSP) and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
Maintain required records including production logs, temperature documentation, and meal counts
Submit accurate monthly reimbursement claims and prepare for USDA Administrative Reviews and state monitoring visits
Maintain a School Food Safety Program based on HACCP principles and uphold required USDA Professional Standards training
Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Finance & Operations.