DeForest Area School District

Job Description

Position Title:	Food Services Manager	Department:	Food & Nutrition Services
Classification:	Non-Represented	FLSA:	Exempt
Reports To:	Business Services Manager	Date:	May 2026

Job Summary:

Administer the District’s food service day to day operations which includes supervision of the National School Lunch Program, National School Breakfast Program, United States Department of Agriculture, US Foods Program in district schools, Wisconsin School Day Milk Program, and District catering, vending, and ala carte programs; supervises food service personnel, manages food service supplies and equipment; and develops and maintains positive relations between Food Services and the members of the school and community.  Receives supervision from the Business Services Manager. Exercises direct supervision over food service staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics or Food Service Management, or Food Service Administration Degree from Technical School.  USDA hiring standards apply for student enrollment of 2,500-9,999. USDA/DPI continuing education required.
• Three year’s experience in institutional food service with supervision/management of food service operations; quantity cooking/baking; menu planning; nutrition; food safety and sanitation.  School food service experience preferred.
• Current sanitation certification required.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

Essential Job Functions:

General Management

• Operational Oversight and Improvement: Direct and coordinate all daily school food service operations, including establishing standards for proper food handling (receipt, storage, preparation, service) to ensure quality, efficiency, and increased student participation.
• Regulatory Compliance and Standards: Ensure the food service program’s strict adherence to all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including public safety and health standards.
• Documentation and Communication: Prepare necessary internal documentation, develop instructional and public communication materials, and ensure all activities align with the school district’s goals and vision.

Sanitation, Food Safety, and Employee Safety

• Comply with standards of sanitation and safety in all phases of the school food service program in accordance with all local and state health regulations.
• Ensure employee safety regulations are being incorporated into all phases of the school foodservice operation.
• Assist with training on and updating HACCP manuals annually.
• Work with sanitarian biannually during routine inspections.  

Financial Management and Recordkeeping

• Assist in preparing reports for foodservice manager to track financial objectives and goals 
• Assist with tracking and ensuring all records and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and policies.

Food Production

• Develop procedures to ensure the food production system provides efficient, safe, nutritious food of high quality.
• Ensure operational procedures for efficient and effective food production and distribution.

• Oversee coordination of student based catering activities including menu development, allergens, promotion, costing, ordering, preparation, service and invoicing. 
• Assist with creating guidelines and procedures for providing services in response to disaster or emergency situations.

Procurement

• Assists with creating order guides, ordering, food planning, and receipt of food and equipment to assure that items meet nutritional specifications and government requirements.

Nutrition and Menu Planning

• Assists in planning menus based on sound nutritional adequacy, student acceptance, cost effectiveness, and federal regulations to ensure USDA program compliance.
• Assists with collecting menu nutrient data and entering information into menu analysis software programs, school site electronic menu boards and online menus.
• Provides oversight on gathering required nutrition information for new menu items and a la carte items ensuring they meet meal and smart snack guidelines.

Personnel Management 

• Supervise and manage all school nutrition staff, overseeing all aspects of daily operation, including shipping/receiving, production, customer service, safety, and sanitation.
• Develop and execute all staffing processes, including managing unscheduled staff absences to ensure continuous department coverage, and participating in the hiring and onboarding of new personnel.
• Lead comprehensive staff training (including equipment use and supplies), track required USDA Professional Development Hours, and conduct staff evaluations and performance improvement monitoring.

Customer Service

• Obtain and respond to input, feedback, and opinions from customers.  Customers include, but are not limited to, students, school staff, administrators, food service staff, civic groups, and the general public.
• Provide ingredient and nutrient information when requested to students, parents and staff regarding nutritionally related concerns and food allergies.
• Provides oversight for coordinating student taste tests for the purpose of evaluating student food preferences.

Facility Layout and Design and Equipment Selection

• Assists with designing and planning facilities that ensure high quality customer service, wholesome food production and efficient workflow.
• Assists with determining equipment needs and specifications consistent with program needs and budget.

Marketing

• Carries out marketing strategies to attract students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and community.
• Communicates program information to encourage and secure support for the school food and nutrition program from the Board of Education, administrators, faculty, students, parents and community.

Computer Technology

• Train staff to use computer technology in individual school sites to improve management techniques.
• Maintain and keep current foodservice information on the District website.

Nutrition Education

• Be a resource for expertise in the development and presentation of nutrition education materials and activities.
• Work with the Student Wellness Committee to monitor and implement a Wellness Policy for students including nutrition education, physical activity and activities designed to promote student wellness.

Other Duties:

• Attend required meetings and participate actively in any work group, training, or related management assignments.
• Maintain knowledge of software and equipment used to perform duties, such as:  institutional cooking equipment, Infinite Campus, Google Suite, Excel, Canva, office equipment such as copier, calculator and telephone system.
• Know, understand and follow applicable DASD safety policies and procedures, including but not limited to:  proper lifting techniques, use of chemicals used for cleaning, kitchen safety.
• Provide nutrition and food handling education opportunities for students, staff and community.
• Performs other duties deemed appropriate and assigned by the Business Services Manager

Personal Attributes Required:

Must be well organized and be able to work with overall management direction.  Must be able to listen to student/staff and parent complaints and respond in a way that is constructive and builds positive relationships.  Must enjoy detail-oriented work requiring a high level of accuracy while working with computerized records.  Must have good written and verbal communication skills.  Must be well organized and demonstrate initiative and ability to influence people in their opinions, attitudes and judgments.  Must be able to plan and direct actions of others and demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain exemplary relationships by using appropriate interpersonal skills.  Must understand the need for teamwork, timeliness and accuracy and be able to instill the same in employees.  Must be able to maintain self-control under stressful situations and deadlines without exhibiting negative behaviors.  Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, and interact with others without arousing hostility.  Must have knowledge of good grammar, spelling, punctuation and basic math abilities.  Must be flexible and able to respond to changing priorities and many interruptions.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods, up to 6 hours in an eight-hour day, with or without back support. Must be able to perform some physical work, frequently lifting up to 30 pounds without assistance and occasionally lifting over 50 pounds. There is occasional bending/stooping, pulling exerting forces up to 60 pounds, and repetitive movements of both hands for fingering and handling. Sitting, squatting/crouching, climbing on a step stool, kneeling, pushing, exerting forces up to 117.5 pounds.  Must be able to move throughout the building and from building to building, including work environs which may include temperature or humidity extremes.  Verbal and auditory communication, near and far vision acuity, color vision, feeling, and tasting/smelling are frequently utilized.  Must have dexterity and hand/eye coordination necessary to operate computer keyboard and other office or food service equipment.  Must have the ability to maintain concentration and focus on tasks requiring timeliness and attention to detail.  

Terms Of Employment:

8 hours per day, 220 days per year as approved by the Business Services Manager..

The DeForest Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

To apply click this  link to WECAN (Vacancy ID: 263897)