Join Our Leadership Team and Nourish Young Lives at Vogel! Are you a seasoned food service leader with a passion for nutrition, sustainability, and making a meaningful impact on children and families in need? Vogel, a leader in providing high-quality early childhood care and education to families experiencing homelessness, is seeking a dynamic Director of Food & Farm-to-Table Services to join our leadership team. As the Director of Food & Farm-to-Table Services, you'll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all food service operations and our signature Farm-to-Table Garden Program across Vogel's campuses. From ensuring every child receives a nutritious, great-tasting meal to championing USDA CACFP compliance and integrating garden-grown produce into seasonal menus, this role is at the heart of Vogel's mission. If you're a servant leader who believes that nourishing children is foundational to changing their lives, we'd love to hear from you! This is a full-time, salaried exempt position, with a salary range on $65,000 - $91,250 per year. What You'll DoFood Service Leadership
- Provide leadership for all food service operations across Vogel's campuses.
- Ensure children receive nutritious, wholesome, visually appealing, and great-tasting meals.
- Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, food safety, sanitation, and customer service.
- Ensure meals and snacks are prepared and delivered accurately and on schedule.
- Promote scratch cooking and maximize the use of fresh, Vogel-grown produce throughout seasonal menus.
- Ensure safe preparation and delivery of meals for children with allergies and physician-directed special diets.
- Foster positive dining experiences that encourage healthy eating habits.
Serve as Vogel's subject matter expert for USDA CACFP requirements.
- Develop, implement, and maintain all food service policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance across every campus.
- Maintain complete and accurate CACFP documentation and monitor reimbursement records and meal count accuracy.
- Conduct routine internal compliance reviews and prepare for and lead all state and federal monitoring visits.
- Train kitchen and classroom staff regarding CACFP requirements and correct deficiencies promptly.
- Ensure compliance with USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Child Care Licensing, and Dallas County Health Department regulations.
Farm-to-Table Leadership
- Supervise the Farm-to-Table Garden Coordinator and develop annual garden production plans.
- Establish measurable seasonal production and harvest goals and coordinate planting schedules with menu planning.
- Review harvest reports and production metrics and hold the Garden Coordinator accountable for production goals.
- Maintain garden budgets and promote sustainable growing practices.
- Collaborate with Early Childhood Education leadership to support age-appropriate outdoor learning opportunities connected to the gardens.
Menu Planning & Nutrition
- Develop seasonal menus that balance nutrition, child preferences, operational efficiency, and budget.
- Ensure menus meet USDA CACFP nutritional standards and coordinate menus around seasonal harvests.
- Monitor student participation and meal acceptance and continuously improve menu quality and nutritional value.
Financial Stewardship
- Develop and manage the annual Food Service and Farm-to-Table Garden budgets.
- Monitor food costs, forecast purchasing needs, maintain accurate inventories, and negotiate with vendors.
- Maximize USDA reimbursement opportunities and maintain cost-effective purchasing practices.
Leadership & Staff Development
- Supervise all Food Service personnel and the Farm-to-Table Garden Coordinator.
- Conduct regular coaching meetings and complete annual performance evaluations.
- Develop staff through coaching, professional development, and cross-training.
- Foster teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture aligned with Vogel's mission.
Organizational Collaboration & Community Engagement
- Build and maintain positive relationships with food vendors, suppliers, and community partners.
- Collaborate with Early Childhood Education, Family Support, Operations, and Facilities departments to improve service delivery.
- Support volunteer activities in the kitchen and gardens while maintaining food safety and operational standards.
- Represent Food & Farm-to-Table Services during organizational meetings, special events, donor visits, and community tours.
Who You Are
- Educated: You hold an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or a related field (preferred).
- Experienced: You have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in food service operations, including supervising employees and managing departmental operations.
- Compliance-Savvy: You have thorough knowledge of USDA CACFP regulations and reimbursement requirements, as well as working knowledge of Texas Child Care Licensing and Dallas County Health Department regulations.
- Certified: You hold a current ServSafe Manager Certification or are able to obtain one.
- A Financial Steward: You have demonstrated experience managing budgets, purchasing, and inventory in a food service environment.
- A Leader: You are a servant leader with strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills who builds teams through coaching, accountability, and genuine care.
- Data-Driven: You have the ability to analyze operational data and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Mission-Minded: You demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to treating every child and family with dignity and respect.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to perform duties associated with commercial kitchen operations.
Why Us?
Vogel is dedicated to providing top-notch early childhood programming for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, as well as their families, who have been affected by the traumatic effects of homelessness. By joining our team, you can play a pivotal role in positively impacting these children's lives during their crucial formative years. Together, we have the power to change their lives forever.
If you're ready to make a difference and bring your skills to a team that values hard work, reliability, and dedication, we'd love to hear from you!
Did this post spark something in you? Apply now and make a lasting impact with us!
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