Administrative Skills, Budget Management, Communication Skills, Dental Insurance, Dietary Management, English Language, Food Delivery, Food Safety, Food Services, Forecasting, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Microsoft Office, Multilingual, Nutrition, Onboarding, Operational Support, Operations Management, Performance Management, Safety Compliance, School Management, ServSafe Certification, Spanish Language, Staff Training, State Laws and Regulations, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Variance Analysis, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
Hauppauge, NY
POSTED
22 days ago
Operations Manager - Drive Excellence in School Nutrition Operations
Support + Strategy + Impact
Are you a seasoned food service professional who thrives on supporting teams, ensuring compliance, and driving operational excellence? Join Whitsons as an Operations Manager and help elevate school nutrition programs across our districts-fueling student success one meal at a time.
What You'll Do:
Provide operational support to District Manager and General Managers within the District Managers regions across multiple school districts.
Step in as acting General Manager when needed to ensure seamless operations.
Monitor and support compliance with all USDA, state, and local regulations related to NSLP, SBP, and food safety.
Assist in budget development, financial forecasting, and variance analysis.
Oversee staff training, scheduling, and performance management to ensure team excellence.
Support new account openings and serve as a key player in onboarding processes.
Conduct regular site visits (80% travel) to assess quality, safety, compliance, and team support needs.
Collaborate with wellness and nutrition committees and participate in district meetings and community events.
We're Looking For:
Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7-10 years of progressive food service management experience, with 5+ years in K-12 school nutrition required.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and build strong relationships.
Deep knowledge of USDA school meal guidelines, state regulations, and food safety practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to quickly learn new systems and tools.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Must be willing to travel frequently to Whitsons' operating sites.
Why Join Us?
Competitive salary + performance bonus potential
Work that makes a difference in students' lives
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid holidays and PTO
401K with company match
Professional growth opportunities and supportive leadership
About Us:
At Whitsons Culinary Group, we believe that school meals are more than just food-they're a foundation for learning and success. As an Operations Manager, you'll play a vital role in supporting our mission to deliver nutritious, high-quality meals across the districts we serve. Be a champion for school nutrition-and a catalyst for positive change.
Apply today and bring your leadership to the next level with Whitsons - Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time.
This role offers a salary range of $80,000-$85,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.