Dietary Services Manager

Overview

This position is one role in a larger system of food services provided to children and families throughout the Meriden, New Britain, Berlin YMCA Association. It manages the day‑to‑day program operations within all of the kitchens at the association, including personnel administration and supervision, and overseeing the overall nutrition program to ensure smooth functioning and quality service. Responsibilities include ordering, preparing, serving, and documenting meals and snacks;

following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control; maintaining adherence to health and food safety codes; ensuring preparation of foods for infants and toddlers and preschool children according to USDA/CACFP standards; and may involve reassignment to various kitchens or centers as needed.

• Oversight of the preparation of any food‑related activities as directed and menus approved by a registered dietitian/nutritionist, including meals for children with special needs or disabilities.
• Ensures the delivery of meals in a timely manner as needed.
• Oversees the maintenance of inventory for all supplies, food, and equipment used for food services operations across all kitchens.
• Oversees the processing and storage of food and food‑related items as they are delivered.
• Manages full kitchen operations and may supervise additional staff or volunteer assistance.
• Implements a cost‑effective food service program according to federal, state, and local regulations that is financially successful by controlling food and labor costs.
• Ensures the preparation of all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshness.
• Ensures that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in accordance with CACFP meal requirements.
• Monitors the acceptance of menu items by children and makes recommendations for menu changes accordingly.
• Solicits menu ideas from Head Start families to ensure the menu reflects local culture and is familiar to children while offering new foods.
• Acts as a resource and team member with program staff to plan food‑related experiences and facilitate family‑style meal services for children and classroom staff in a Head Start classroom, meeting individual needs of infants and toddlers.
• Ensures that dishes are returned to the kitchen.
• Supports staff and parents in preparing meals and snacks for meetings, planning sessions, and special events as requested and approved by the center supervisor or Program Director.
• Ensures that dishes and equipment are cleaned and stored for the next meal.
• Responsible for proper receiving, inventory, storage of food, and clean‑up of kitchen and equipment.
• Notifies supervisor of any safety or health issues or concerns.
• Contributes articles, recipe ideas, etc., to the Head Start newsletter on a regular basis.
• Is knowledgeable of children’s dietary concerns and maintains updated records, working with center directors, staff, and/or medical offices to ensure proper documentation for children with special dietary restrictions or limitations.

• Ensures that there is an established system for cleaning the kitchen and storage rooms so they remain clean and sanitary.
• Reports any kitchen equipment not in good working order to the Head Start supervisor to ensure safety, hazard‑free kitchen, and follows maintenance, repair, and replacement procedures.
• Ensures all foods are prepared in a safe and sanitary manner.
• Responsible for complying with all local, state, and federal standards regarding hygiene and sanitation.

• Responsible for period purchasing and regular maintenance of food to ensure quality, cost control, and adequate inventory; receives and accounts for food deliveries.
• Documents in the menu book, following required USDA/CACFP documentation, food purchased, prepared, and served.
• Completes a weekly inventory of all food, both perishable and non‑perishable.
• Ensures that inventory is secure.
• Completes an equipment and supply inventory on a regular basis.
• Submits food invoices in an organized fashion and in a…