Director ​/ Food and Nutrition Services ​/ District Wide

Director of Food & Nutrition Services

The Cheshire Public Schools is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as the Director of Food & Nutrition Services. The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the District's Food & Nutrition Services program, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations while providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students. The Director oversees all aspects of department operations, including program administration, budgeting, procurement, staffing, menu planning, food safety, regulatory compliance, and customer service.

This position serves as a member of the Operations Team and works collaboratively with school administrators, district leadership, families, and community partners to support student health and wellness.

Reports To:

Chief Operating Officer

Status:
Exempt, 11 Month Position

Minimum Qualifications:

• In accordance with the USDA Professional Standards for School Nutrition Program Directors (7 CFR 210.30), candidates must possess one of the following:
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent educational experience) with an academic major 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 in any field and certification as a School Nutrition Specialist (SNS); or
• Bachelor's degree in any field and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in school nutrition programs; or
• Associate's degree in Food Service Management, Culinary Arts, Dietetic Technology, or a closely related field and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in school nutrition programs.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credential.
• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential.
• Connecticut School Nutrition Association membership or active participation in professional organizations.
• Previous leadership experience directing a K-12 school nutrition program.
• Experience administering the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After school Snack Program, Summer Food Service Program, and other USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
• Experience developing and managing department budgets.
• Experience supervising, evaluating, and developing staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and management skills.
• Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Knowledge of nutrition, menu planning, food procurement, inventory management, and food safety standards.
• Ability to develop and monitor departmental budgets and financial performance.
• Experience with staff scheduling, supervision, coaching, and performance management.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families, staff, vendors, and community partners.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data to support decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with school nutrition software and financial systems is preferred, including systems such as Heartland Caf Enterprise, DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipt System (FFAVORS), WBSCM, CSDE Online Claiming, Processor Link, K-12 Processor, and Tyler MUNIS or comparable systems.

Certifications:

• Serv Safe Manager Certification required, or the ability to obtain certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must satisfy all Connecticut employment requirements, including successful completion of required background checks.

Application Requirements:

Interested applicants should submit:

• Letter of interest
• Resume

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience.

A note regarding the Applicant Process:
The applicant process for this position will consist of multiple stages, including an initial virtual screening interview followed by an in-person interview. Virtual screening interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received and will continue through the interview date until finalist candidates are identified. In-person interviews will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Candidates selected to advance should be available for a one-hour interview between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on that date.

The application period will close on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

To Apply:

Apply online through  or (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Employment Opportunities Cheshire Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District reserves the right to close this posting prior to the posted closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.