POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

SENIOR DIRECTOR

WORKING TITLE

Senior Director-Child Nutrition Services (CNS)

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Child Nutrition Services 

LOCATION

Rock Quarry Road Auxiliary, Raleigh, NC

PAY GRADE

Senior Director Band 1

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

No

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends) Position is available for a Hybrid Telework workweek 

POSITION PURPOSE:

Provides leadership for and directs the day-to-day activities of CNS operating teams including School Support Services, Business Operations, and Innovations & Program Development/Warehousing. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs administration and operations best practices;

• Considerable knowledge of local, state, and federal rules and regulations for School Food Authority compliance with USDA nutrition programs and Food Code;

• Considerable knowledge of technology used for central office and school-based food service operations using personal computers with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Google Apps, and ERP systems for food service using specialty hardware for POS;

• Comprehensive knowledge of optimal nutrition as applied to students;

• Considerable knowledge of budget management practices and fiscal controls;

• Working knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards, and applied HACCP principles;

• Knowledge of food service equipment, marketing strategies, food preparation, and servicing practices;

• Excellent customer service skills;

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills;

• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills;

• Effective time management skills;

• Skills to manage fiscal resources;

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow and comprehension of information, collaborative effort, and feedback; 

• Ability to effectively present complex information in an understandable format to small and large groups;

• Ability to work independently and complete tasks in the absence of clear direction;

• Ability to coordinate and execute multiple tasks and/or projects to meet deadlines while addressing potential/anticipated delays and problems in a professional and timely manner;

• Ability to effectively lead large cross-functional teams;

• Ability to assess program needs and develop short-term and long-term goals and plans;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff and students, external agencies, vendors, parents, and the community.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, business, organization development, or a related field;

• Five years of successful management experience in a nutrition field, with ten years of experience in a leadership position having oversight of at least 200 employees including an array of mid-level to high-level management positions responsible for multi-unit operations and multi-faceted centralized operations;

• Experience with public speaking including print and broadcast media, making presentations, and marketing with proficiency in presenting technical information to diverse audiences;

• Five years of experience managing annual budgets of at least 15 million dollars;

• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements;

• Hold and maintain certification in food service sanitation (obtain certification within thirty days of hire);

• Must acquire professional development CEU’s to comply with Federal and State regulations for Child Nutrition Programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in nutrition, business, organization development, or a related field;

• Ten years of experience as the primary director managing federally funded nutrition programs;

• Previous school system experience in Child Nutrition Services;

• School Nutrition Association School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides strategic leadership for the function of child nutrition programs and other food service operations, creating an adaptive workplace culture and conveying a vision for change in support of continuous improvement, to ensure effectiveness within a changing economic climate.

2. Establishes and directs a sound financial system by evaluating program operations and preparing an annual revenue and expense operating budget.

3. Provides leadership that supports a cohesive planning process for menu development to meet Federal/State requirements and customer preferences.

4. Provides leadership for the development and implementation of meal benefits policies and procedures that support families/students in compliance with regulations.  Completes annual CEP assessments and cost projections, develops recommendations, and ensures accurate reporting to DPI.  

5. Establishes protocols to comply with federally required child nutrition program monitoring requirements and organizes//facilitates audit preparations.

6. Maintains a system for the accurate recording and timely reporting of inventories (food, supplies, equipment, technology, and miscellaneous goods). Guides the assessment of the utility that products offer for operational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and cost control, and adjusts when needed to maximize program benefit.

7. Facilitates the required annual Procurement Plan review/adoption process, assigns contract oversight responsibilities, and guides bidding and purchasing procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines.

8. Guides purchasing decisions based on needs, revenue to support purchases, maximizing the use of USDA donated foods, and product evaluation.

9. Directs the development and implementation of Child Nutrition Services training programs to meet Federally required Professional Standards and commercial kitchen sanitation certification requirements, addresses emerging program needs, and enhances leadership/management, nutrition education, and sanitation and safety staff development.

10. Promotes and maintains high standards of sanitation and safety.

11. Develops and facilitates the review of all documents for publication to ensure accuracy, ease of comprehension, and consistency.

12. Facilitates and utilizes continuous improvement practices.

13. Effectively communicates with the school system and community to share information about programs and services available.  Serves on external stakeholder task forces and committees in support of the School System and Child Nutrition Services.  Effectively communicates long range needs and plans for Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) as it relates to Child Nutrition Services.

14. Maintains a highly motivated staff by providing a healthy and safe work environment and by communicating with employees using sound judgment. 

15. Manages, directs, and oversees Child Nutrition Services staff.  Responsible for staff selection, placement, development, training, and performance management. 

16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to use a variety of office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. Must be able to communicate effectively. At times requires the ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to ten pounds. The work occasionally requires driving automotive equipment. Due to the amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for sedentary work.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  9/2024

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position.  They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position.  This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.