Manager, Feeding Futures

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”

Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 21,000 students (K-12) and employs over 3000 dedicated staff.

The Manager, Feeding Futures, will provide oversight and guidance for the district’s food services programs, liaising with community partners as well as school and district staff to provide daily nutrition supports across all SD 38 sites. Based on the guiding principles that all food programming is locally sourced, ecologically and financially sustainable, and culturally informed, the program will strive to ensure that all students have sufficient nutrition to fully participate in daily learning activities.

Feeding Futures will offer a variety of breakfast, snack and lunch program options, including onsite food preparation and/or meals prepared and delivered in collaboration with external community partners. The Manager will also oversee contracted cafeteria operations and manage commercial equipment for teaching kitchen classrooms and food canteens.

Reporting to the Director of Instruction - Student Services School & Data Analytics, this new, exciting opportunity supports the school district in the development of policies, regulations and communication plans to ensure schools, staff, parents, and other stakeholders delivering food services comply with legal and regulatory requirements as well as the BC Ministry of Education Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools. A very thorough and practical understanding of, and experience with food safety, nutrition, food service equipment, food program scaling, financial management, human resource management and communications is required.

Major

**Responsibilities**:
Development, oversight, maintenance, and adaptation of food service operations in accordance with the Food Safety Act, the Public Health Act, Food Premises Regulation, Vancouver Coastal Health Food Safety, WorkSafeBC and any other applicable laws or regulations.

Develop and support implementation of large-scale food programs across district sites.

Monitor, administer, and report on department operations and program budgets with the expectation of adapting operating plans to optimize the use of available resources.

Support the planning and development of menus and nutritional options to ensure that provincial nutrition standards are met with attention to food allergies, religious restrictions, and cultural preferences.

Oversee selection, maintenance, repair, replacement, and disposal of equipment for all food service operations including domestic and commercial appliances. The Manager will liaise with the District’s Facilities Services, as required, to ensure all equipment installations are compliant with municipal building codes and District policies and standards.

Develop and maintain relationships with local food producers to source local, sustainable, and healthy food for the program.

Develop and implement strategies to increase student participation in school food programs.

Develop and maintain a system for tracking and reporting on the school food program's effectiveness and impact.

Required Qualifications

**Education & Professional Certification**:
Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition, Home Economics, Food Science or Dietetics, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Current Food Safe Level 1 and Level 2 certification

Valid BC Driver’s License and a vehicle to travel between district sites

**Experience**:
At least three years of experience in food service management, preferably in a school setting.

Knowledge of federal, provincial, and local regulations and guidelines related to school food programs.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Passion for providing healthy nutrition options to students.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however ONLY those being considered for interviews will be contacted.

Richmond School District is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Our ability to provide the best education for our student population relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Richmond School District is the best place to learn and lead.