Meal Program Manager

Company Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools, 7,300 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Meal Program Manager will support all KIPP DC’s campuses by providing administrative and logistical support and oversight of the organization’s food and nutrition services. This includes, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as analyzing data, grant tracking, conducting school observations and program audits, training staff and other responsibilities as needed related to the National School Lunch Program. The Meal Program Manager is an exempt role that reports to the Food Service Director and works closely with each campuses’ Director of Operations, Lunch Administrators, third-party contractors, and the wider community to support School and Network based initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

General:

• Recruit, train, coach, and mentor meal program staff  in coordination with the Director of Food Service
• Set and monitor team performance standards and develop feedback reports for the regional operations team
• Design and conduct school observations
• Facilitate meal program audits
• Design, conduct, and report on student surveys and focus groups  
• Manage special projects (Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Pilots, RFP Bid Process, Tastings/Surveys, Emergency Food, etc.)
• Design, conduct, and track annual staff training
• Compile reports and summaries
• Creating meeting notes for program sessions

Weekly:

• Send weekly production records to Lunch Administrator staff, as needed (i.e. missing production records from vendor)
• Analyze PowerSchool claims for trends and discrepancies (i.e. classroom analysis, popular days, missing data, etc.)  and develop, implement, and monitor internal corrective action plans
• Using weekly analysis, update orders, menus, instructions to school and meal program staff as indicated.

Monthly:

• Conduct School Meal Program Observations (cafeteria service/classroom service) 
• Use meal program observation data to improve on meal program compliance and quality
• Identify opportunities for improved compliance and service, create, implement, and monitor plans to capitalize on these opportunities
• Review and send out monthly menus to operations and communications staff
• Complete monthly FFVP budget tracker and OSSE FFVP Claim

Quarterly:

•  Complete Meal Program Audits for KIPP DC schools 

Regularly:

• Onboard new staff by regularly reviewing paperwork and observing systems and/or procedures to identify gaps, challenges and best suited practices
• Design and implement new hire training and annual training for Lunch Administrators with regards to the National School Lunch Program, Civil Rights, other specialty training, etc. 
• Identify changes and discrepancies with meal program orders and reconcile with vendor and the state agency
• Follow up with School Ops leads and/or Campus Support Associates, vendors and manufacturers regarding malfunctioning equipment and replacements
• Attend annual OSSE training and other training to support ongoing knowledge and professional development

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years’ relevant experience in K12 food service operations  
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience in food service management preferred
• Experience in non-profit/education field a plus
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Experience working with Google Suite (Google Docs, sheets, Slides and Forms) 
• Comfort with working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to multitask
• Detail- and results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done
• Initiative and leadership skills
• Passion for education reform and the belief that every child can succeed