Nutrition Program Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

CHILD NUTRITION LEAD KITCHEN MANAGER

DEFINITION

The Child Nutrition Lead Kitchen Manager provides day-to-day operational leadership and support for the district's Child Nutrition Program. This position serves as the lead operational support person for kitchen managers and nutrition staff, assisting the Child Nutrition Director with program administration, compliance, staff training, food safety, and operational oversight. The Child Nutrition Lead Kitchen Manager ensures continuity of operations by providing coverage for kitchen managers when needed and supporting consistency, efficiency, and compliance across all district nutrition sites.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. High School diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree or higher in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field preferred.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in school nutrition, institutional food service, or commercial food service operations.
3. Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, or lead-worker experience.
4. Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs and Colorado Department of Education
5. (CDE) School Nutrition requirements.
6. Experience with menu production, food safety, inventory management, and meal service operations.
7. Ability to supervise staff and provide training, coaching, and performance support.
8. Proficiency with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food service software, and basic computer applications.
9. Ability to travel between district sites as needed.
10. Certified Food Safety Manager (ServSafe or equivalent approved certification).
11. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO 

Child Nutrition Director 

JOB GOALS 

To support efficient, compliant, and high-quality child nutrition operations by providing leadership, training, and operational support throughout the district, ensuring uninterrupted meal service and assisting the Child Nutrition Director with program implementation, compliance, and oversight.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Operational Leadership and Site Support
• Serve as acting Kitchen Manager at any district nutrition site when needed.
• Provide operational leadership and support to all district kitchen locations.
• Assist with meal service operations (School Breakfast, Lunch, Summer Meal Program,

Colorado Food Program, Catering, Processing Economic Survey Forms, and Summer EBT applications. 

Able to lift 20-25 pounds. 

Other duties as assigned. 

Program Compliance and Food Safety

• Assist in ensuring compliance with USDA regulations and CDE guidance.
• Monitor food safety practices, sanitation procedures, and HACCP implementation.
• Support corrective actions and accurate meal counting and claiming
• Staff Leadership and Training
• Provide coaching and support to kitchen managers and nutrition staff.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new employees and substitutes.
• Support staff scheduling and workflow efficiency.
• Administrative and Program Support
• Assist the Child Nutrition Director with planning, reporting, and documentation.
• Support implementation of new menus, procedures, and initiatives.
• Inventory, Procurement, and Equipment
• Assist with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and procurement activities.
• Prepare and/or support weekly food orders with approved vendors to ensure menu needs, inventory levels, and program requirements are met.
• Support equipment evaluations and maintenance coordination.

Systems and Accountability

• Support point-of-sale (POS) systems and required documentation.
• Follow professional and ethical standards/core values of the school district as follow but not limited to:
• Confidentiality and accountability
• Courtesy
• Cooperation and positive attitude
• Reliability/Punctuality
• Timeliness in respect to deadlines
• Respectfulness toward others
• Honesty

Wellness, Communication, and Collaboration

• Support implementation of the district Wellness Policy.
• Promote customer service and teamwork across all sites.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

This position is a 209-day Contract position based on district needs and program requirements. Salary and benefits shall be established in accordance with Board policy and the approved salary schedule.