Executive Director, Nutrition Services

Job Title: Executive Director, Nutrition Services

Location: Teacher Administrative Center (TAC), 3215 Cuming St. Omaha, NE 68131

Reports To: Chief Operations Officer

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 12 month / Exempt

Salary Schedule: Non-negotiated 27E, commensurate with education and experience

Anticipated Start Date : as early as January 6, 2025

Position Purpose : Plans, organizes, and directs the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) according to policies, procedures, and federal/state requirements. This position leads the planning and creation of nutritious meals that meet USDA requirements while incorporating scratch cooking with fresh, whole food ingredients. Additionally, this position is responsible for leading and monitoring kitchen and food serving area operations, procuring food items, preparing reports, and participating in audits related to state or federal programs. This position is responsible for the coordination of the meal application process, overseeing the implementation of marketing campaigns, and coordinating programs (i.e., the fresh fruit and vegetable program, etc.).

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Develop and integrate a vision for professional learning into district-wide nutrition services and the school lunch programs.
• Works collaboratively with appropriate staff members to gather and analyze data as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains quality standards for food presentation and service.
• Implements a district-wide customer service-driven philosophy that focuses on value and satisfaction.
• Ensures procedures are in place to prepare food and serve in a sanitary and safe environment.
• Integrates, reviews, and updates when appropriate employee safety regulations in all school food service operation phases.
• Establishes measurable financial objectives and goals for the Child Nutrition Program (CNP).
• Manages the CNP using appropriate financial management techniques.
• Implements efficient management techniques to ensure all records and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and policies.
• Maintains, reviews, and updates, when appropriate, the procedures to ensure the food production system provides safe, nutritious food of high quality.
• Ensures operational procedures for efficient and effective food production and distribution.
• Implements a cost-effective procurement system while leading in the use of seasonal, sustainable produce and local ingredients.
• Develops purchasing guidelines to ensure purchased food and supplies reflect product knowledge, customer preferences, district needs, policies, and nutrition objectives that remains consistent with Federal, State, Local and District policies.
• Maintains, reviews, and updates, when appropriate, the standards for receiving, storing, and inventorying food and non-food supplies based on sound principles of management.
• Ensures CNP compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provides technical assistance and training for school food service personnel, administrators, and other school support staff.
• Develops, implements, and monitors internal controls for financial accountability and program integrity.
• Develops guidelines for providing services in response to disaster or emergency situations.
• Develops cost-effective menus that maintain nutritional integrity, are of high interest to students, and meet all local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations.
• Assesses customer preferences, industry trends, and current research to plan menus that encourage participation in the CNP.
• Works with school staff, teachers, parents, and physicians to plan menus for children with special nutrition needs.
• Employs management techniques to maintain an effective and efficient CNP.
• Develops short and long-term goals through strategic planning for the district school food service program that supports the philosophy and policies of the Board of Education.
• Implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective operations of CNPs.
• Develop a long-range program to establish professional status for the CNP’s role in the education community.
• Reviews current research information to determine health and nutrition-related trends and food service management developments and develops innovative program changes and expansions based on this information.
• Implements personnel policies and procedures for the CNP according to local, state, and federal regulations and laws.
• Coordinates the purchase of equipment for the CNP and the inventory and maintenance of equipment and the kitchen facility.
• Participates in the District’s Wellness Committee.
• Develops and implements procedures and practices to ensure good sustainable environmental citizenship.
• Build and maintain relationships with community agencies and collaborate to achieve mutual goals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master’s Degree with appropriate course work in administration, supervision, food science, or other related fields preferred.
• Experience managing a food service program is required. Experience managing a school lunch program is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with and provide guidance to diverse staff, students, parents, and community members.
• Strong ability to lead and manage a team of diverse professional and classified staff members.
• Effective project management skills to oversee multiple initiatives and programs simultaneously.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage time and a variety of responsibilities.
• Ability to lead a team to address challenges, drive decision-making, and implement innovative solutions.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks, change assignments on short notice, perform under deadlines with pressure, and work in a calm and efficient manner.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.

Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Chief Operations Officer and other Central Office Administrators designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: This position requires the use of standard commercial kitchen/cooking equipment and/or tools. This position may require the ability to use interactive presentation technology and a variety of electronic devices in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Frequent travel within the metro area will be required. Occasional travel outside of the metro area may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Occasional extended hours will be required by the position and/or supervisor.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and use information from written materials and visual displays.
• Ability to work in standing/walking positions frequently throughout the shift.
• Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, and maintain balance while performing job-related tasks.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
• Additional demands may be required upon request from the Supervisor.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and other stakeholders.
• Will be required to represent the District at State and Federal levels in a positive and professional manner.
• Will be working under the indirect supervision of department administration in order to complete day-to-day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population, requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to stakeholder needs and maintain a positive attitude.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external stakeholders in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment: This position is treated as a full-time exempt certified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).
• Execution and delivery to OPS of an Administrator Contract presented by OPS.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.