Manager, National Nutrition Programs

The National Pork Board (NPB) is seeking a Manager, National Nutrition Programs to lead execution across U.S. federal feeding programs, with a primary focus on K–12 school meals and additional responsibility for military, hospital, and institutional foodservice programs.

This role advances pork as a high-quality, practical protein in child and institutional nutrition settings through education, stakeholder engagement, recipe development, and program innovation.
 

Responsibilities

Federal & Child Nutrition Leadership

• Serve as subject matter expert in USDA school meal programs (NSLP, SBP, CACFP, Summer Meals).
• Guide strategy, compliance, and implementation across federal feeding programs.
• Establish KPIs and measure impact (district adoption, menu integrations, training reach, resource utilization).
• Partner with public affairs and government relations to support stakeholder education and implementation guidance.

School Meals Strategy & Integration

• Develop strategies to increase understanding and appropriate use of pork in school meals.
• Collaborate with school nutrition leaders, distributors, and operators to support compliant, cost-effective menu integration.
• Navigate pork-free district preferences with culturally responsive, practical solutions.

Education & Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and deliver education for school nutrition directors, dietitians, menu planners, and procurement teams.
• Maintain a current resource hub (recipes, toolkits, procurement guides, FAQs).
• Represent NPB at conferences and industry meetings.
• Build relationships with state agencies, associations, and key influencers.

Recipe Development & Innovation

• Lead or support development of USDA-compliant, student-approved recipes.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and distributors on school-ready pork products.
• Identify and support farm-to-school and grant opportunities aligned with NPB priorities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner across nutrition, marketing, sustainability, and communications teams.
• Contribute strategic insight to long-term nutrition and food systems initiatives.

• Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
• 5–7 years’ experience in school meals, child nutrition, or federal feeding programs
• Strong knowledge of USDA regulations and K–12 procurement processes
• Experience in menu development, institutional foodservice, or grant initiatives preferred

The Ideal Candidate

• Strategic yet execution-focused
• Confident challenging legacy practices with data and practicality
• Strong communicator across nutrition and operational audiences
• Collaborative, curious, and impact-driven
• Passionate about improving child nutrition while supporting U.S. pork producers

National Pork Board’s home office is in Clive, Iowa. Preference will be given to candidates that can work a hybrid schedule (at least 3 days per week) in the Clive office, however remote candidates may be considered. 

Up to 40% travel for meetings with state partners and allied industries plus occasional conferences. Valid driver’s license and/or passport required. 

Application deadline is 03/02/2026 however, we may speak to qualified candidates prior to the close date.  

Full-time starting salary range is $90K-$115K Please note: This starting range is based on a general market pay assessment. However, individual salary decisions take into account a variety of factors including but not limited to: business and local market considerations, internal equity, and overall candidate skills, education and experience. 

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. Applicants should be able to able to support the mission of the organization with enthusiasm to serve U.S. pork producers. 

The National Pork Board, an equal opportunity employer, offers an exceptional benefits package and work environment. Check us out at www.porkcheckoff.org