Food Operations Program Specialist - Positive Work Culture

Starting Salary $ 71,579

OVERVIEW:

The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS), Central Office, located at the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Food Operations Program Specialist. This position reports to the Deputy Chief Nutrition and Whole Health Officer and is eligible for hybrid telework.

As a Food Operations Specialist, you will be responsible for managing programs within VCS business lines. You will work alongside other Food Operations Program Specialists and Dietitians to support café and coffee shop operations.

DUTIES:

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

· Oversees the VCS Patriot Brew (Coffee Shops) and the Patriot Café contracted vendor programs at the corporate level.

· Negotiates contracts with vendors and monitors operations for compliance.

· Recommends improvements in service procedures, including procurement of food, supplies, equipment layout and workflow, staffing, and operational efficiencies.

· Identifies food and coffee operations objectives, developing strategy and setting goals, subsequently analyzing data and reviewing business trends to enhance success or identify problems.

· Analyzes products for use and plans product distribution to field operations for successful execution of coffee and food programs and promotions.

· Establishes selling prices to meet food cost and profit goals, while ensuring prices remain reasonable and competitive in the market.

· Develops, marketing materials, sales reports, policies, and other documents to ensure accurate information is communicated to all parties.

· Create action reports, food presentation guidelines and manuals.

· Deliver presentations, training, briefings, policy, and programs to VCS leadership.

· Maintains knowledge of industry trends by visiting national and local food and beverage shows, on-site vendor reviews and industry promotion shows.

· Travels to locations across the United States and Puerto Rico to conduct on site food operational reviews assessing overall compliance with corporate programs, provide training, assist in unit openings and closings, and participate in emergency response deployments.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

· At least two years of management experience in the food service/restaurant industry.

· Understanding of commercial coffee/restaurant industry technologies, concepts, techniques, methods, equipment, procedures, and principles.

· Knowledge of food operating procedures as they relate to food pricing, portion sizes, food safety and menu development.

· Effective in negotiating and managing contracts.

· Knowledge of food and beverage market techniques to identify market conditions and trends in the food and beverage industry.

· Ability to interpret data and apply the theory and practice of food service systems to anticipate and resolve complex issues as they relate to food and services, vendor contracting, budget compliance and operating income.

· Proficient in Power Point and Excel with the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment. It is a requirement that all HCP receive the COVID-19 vaccination and annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption has been granted. HCP in violation of these directives may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service

HCP for purposes of the influenza vaccination program are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

HCP for purposes of the COVID-19 vaccination program refers to all paid and unpaid persons who work in or travel to VHA locations who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, including body substances (e.g., blood, tissue, and specific body fluids); contaminated medical supplies, devices, and equipment; contaminated environmental surfaces; or contaminated air. These HCP may include, but are not limited to, emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, health professions trainees (HPTs), contractor personnel, and persons (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, maintenance, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel) not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted from HCP and patients. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time, intermittent, fee basis employees who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these locations. HCP also includes VHA personnel and contractor personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.