Kitchen & Nutrition Program Manager

Location: Special Learning Center — Jefferson City, MO
Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Special Learning Center (SLC) serves children with special needs and their families with compassion, expertise, and innovation. Through our Nourishing Roots initiative, we champion a dye-free, minimally processed, scratch-made menu that helps kids build lifelong healthy eating habits and a positive food culture.

We’re looking for a mission-driven Kitchen & Nutrition Program Manager to lead our food service program and ensure every child receives nutritious, high-quality meals that meet USDA Child Nutrition Program standards. You’ll design and deliver fresh, homemade meals from whole ingredients; run a safe, compliant kitchen; and bring Nourishing Roots to life across our classrooms and community.

Meal Planning & Preparation

• Collaborate with SLC’s contracted dietician to plan menus that meet Nourishing Roots standards.
• Prepare and serve daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks for ~100 children (ages 1–6) and a morning snack for ~60 children (ages 2–6).
• Source local, seasonal ingredients to craft child-friendly, culturally inclusive meals—100% from scratch.
• Modify meals to accommodate medical, allergy-related, and other special dietary needs in partnership with staff and healthcare professionals.
• Maintain appropriate portion sizes and food temperatures in accordance with health codes and USDA regulations.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure full compliance with USDA meal pattern requirements (e.g., CACFP/NSLP) and documentation for federal reimbursements.
• Accurately complete production records, meal counts, and inventory logs; maintain readiness for audits and site visits.
• Stay current on all required trainings.
• Supervise and train kitchen support staff and volunteers.
• Uphold excellent sanitation and safety standards in line with health department regulations.
• Manage ordering, inventory, storage, and budgets to minimize waste.
• Enforce safe food handling and preparation procedures at all times.

Nourishing Roots Implementation

• Promote nutrition education and Nourishing Roots in collaboration with our dietician, educators, therapists, and parents.
• Assist with classroom activities and garden-to-table initiatives that connect kids to fresh foods.

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of food service experience (school, childcare, or healthcare setting preferred).
• Skill in preparing meals for children with special dietary needs.
• Commitment to scratch cooking and a dye-free, minimally processed menu aligned with Nourishing Roots.

Preferred

• Experience in a child development or special education setting.
• Familiarity with Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services food program regulations.
• Knowledge of local food systems and farm-to-school initiatives.
• Understanding of USDA food programs (e.g., CACFP, NSLP) and compliance requirements, including serving sizes and nutritional macros

• Ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs
  , and perform manual kitchen tasks.
• Must pass required background checks and health screenings per center policies.

• Tangible impact on children’s health and daily experience.
• A collaborative, child-centered team that values quality, safety, and inclusion.
• A chance to lead a model program that highlights fresh, local, scratch-made food.

Special Learning Center is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.