Director of Food Services: Director-in-Training​/Successor

Director of Food Services:
Director-in-Training/Successor

Starting Date:
Aug 24, 2026

Mansfield Public Schools is seeking an experienced and motivated Director of Food Service to join our team in a planned leadership transition role. The selected candidate will work alongside our current Director of Food Service for approximately one school year, gaining hands‑on knowledge of all aspects of the department's operations, procedures, and culture. Upon the current director's retirement, the successful candidate will assume full responsibility for leading the Food Service Department.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a food service professional to learn directly from an experienced leader while preparing to take ownership of a well‑established program.

Position Type:
Full‑time

Job Categories:
Support Staff >
Food Service

• During the Transition Period
  • Work closely with the current Director of Food Service to learn all departmental operations and responsibilities
  • Participate in daily food service management, including meal planning, production, and service to ensure compliance with USDA and DESE regulations
  • Learn budgeting, purchasing, inventory control, and cost management procedures
  • Assist with staff supervision, scheduling, training, and performance management
  • Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal food safety and sanitation regulations
  • Develop relationships with students, employees, vendors and the community
  • Become familiar with organizational policies, procedures, and goals
  • Participate in department planning and decision‑making processes
• Upon Assuming the Director Role
  • Lead and manage all food service operations; ensuring appropriate inventory of supplies and equipment
  • Cooperate with principals and others to plan lunch schedules to comply with requirements and facilities of each school
  • Oversee department budgets, purchasing, and financial performance
  • Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate food service staff
  • Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and customer service
  • Develop specifications and standards of quality for the purchase, ordering and receipt of food, supplies, and small equipment
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, and regulatory requirements
  • Develop menus and nutrition programs as a practical application of sound nutrition
  • Establish and maintain good rapport with students, teachers, administrators, civic groups, and the community
  • Present a monthly report of all receipts to the Director of Finance and Operations
  • Make daily bank deposits of all cash receipts
  • Foster a positive, collaborative workplace culture
  • Identify opportunities for operational improvement and cost savings
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

• Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • Serv Safe Manager Certification, or equivalent credentials
  • Must currently hold, or be able to obtain within the transition period, the School Nutrition Specialist designation
  • Minimum of 3‑5 years of progressive food service management experience
  • Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements
  • Experience with budgeting, purchasing, and inventory management
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
• Preferred
  • Experience in school nutrition, healthcare, senior living, corporate dining, higher education, etc.
  • Experience leading teams and managing complex food service operations

$65,000 - $79,000 annually (depending on experience)

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their food service management experience and interest in this succession‑planning opportunity by July 17, 2026 to:

• Dawn M. Langtry, Director of Food Services
• Mansfield Public Schools
• 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048
• Email: dawn
• Phone: