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Nutrition Program Assistant Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Nutrition Assistant

Willowbrook, IL · On-site

$15.25 - $20.75/hr

At Houston Methodist, the Nutrition Assistant position is responsible for educating the patient on the dining services programs/process, is the initial point of contact for problem resolution, and ...

... nutrition education and breastfeeding counseling and support. * Providing an explanation of Program ... Level 2 CPA Assistants can provide information related to core food packages, use of EBT Card and ...

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Nutrition Program Assistant information

See Illinois salary details

$8

$19

$27

How much do nutrition program assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for nutrition program assistant in Illinois is $19.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $21.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Nutrition Program Assistant do?

A Nutrition Program Assistant supports nutritionists and dietitians in implementing and managing nutrition education programs. They help organize community outreach activities, prepare educational materials, and assist in teaching healthy eating habits to various groups. Their work often involves collecting and recording data, providing administrative support, and helping participants with resources or program enrollment. Nutrition Program Assistants play a key role in ensuring nutrition programs run smoothly and effectively serve the community.

What are some common challenges Nutrition Program Assistants face when working with diverse communities?

Nutrition Program Assistants often work with individuals from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can present challenges such as language barriers, varying levels of nutrition literacy, and differing dietary preferences or needs. Building trust and effectively communicating the benefits of nutrition programs requires adaptability and cultural sensitivity. Successful assistants utilize creative teaching approaches, collaborate closely with community organizations, and remain patient while fostering positive relationships to overcome these challenges and promote healthy eating habits.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nutrition Program Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nutrition Program Assistant, you need basic nutrition knowledge, organizational skills, and often an associate degree or relevant coursework in nutrition or health sciences. Familiarity with database management tools, Microsoft Office, and sometimes nutrition analysis software is typically required. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork help build trust with clients and effectively deliver nutrition education. These skills and qualities are essential for supporting program goals, ensuring accurate information delivery, and fostering positive community health outcomes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Nutrition Program jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Nutrition Program jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Nutrition Program Assistant jobs in Illinois? For Nutrition Program Assistant jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Nutrition Program Assistant jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Nutrition Program Assistant jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Nutrition Program Assistant jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Nutrition Program Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Nutrition Program Assistant job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,236 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Operations Manager - Illinois School Nutrition

Whitsons Culinary Group

Berkeley, IL • On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Whitsons Culinary Group rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 60 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 68 rated caterers


Job description

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.
  • ServSafe certification required; SNS certification highly preferred.
  • 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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field. OR
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent with any academic major AND a state recognized certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, or business. At least one year of management experience, preferably in school nutrition strongly recommended. OR
  • Master's degree or willingness to work toward master's degree preferred.

Certifications:
  • ServSafe Mandatory-- Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local ordinances.
  • School Nutrition Specialist Certification preferred.

Computer Skills:
  • Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications is required.
  • Must be able to communicate electronically through use of email and other similar computer platforms.
  • Able to learn new programs easily and quickly.

Competencies:
  • Communication
  • Effectively write, present and transfer ideas and information.
  • Customer Focus
  • Act in the best interest of the customer, both internal and external
  • Innovation
  • Create new ideas, processes or products which, when implemented, lead to positive, effective change.
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Apply strategic thinking, prioritization and decision-making to drive results.
  • People Leadership
  • Effectively assess, select, develop and empower individuals and teams.

Other Qualifications, Experience:
  • 10 years' experience in Food Service Management required,
  • Minimum 7 years' experience in high volume urban K-12 programs required. Strong interest in school nutrition program development.
  • Culinary background is required - Must have a passion and an interest in food
  • Working knowledge of cooking procedures and recipe adherence and scaling.
  • Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Bilingual Spanish is highly desirable.

As an exempt position, it is expected that Team Member will devote whatever time necessary to accomplish the goals and responsibilities. This will often require extended work hours, evening and/or weekend work.

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About Whitsons Culinary Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whitsons Culinary Group, located in Islandia, NY, US, operates in the food service industry, offering a diverse range of services including school nutrition, residential and healthcare dining, prepared meals, emergency dining, and culinary education. First established in 1979, the family-owned company has built a reputation for its bespoke catering services, committed to delivering nutritionally balanced, tastefully diverse and quality assured meals. The company embraces a mission to enrich life one meal at a time, underlined by a focus on food quality, health, wellness, superior service, and social responsibility.

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Islandia, NY, US

Year founded

1979

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