[Hiring] Operations Specialist @Chef Ann Foundation

Role Description

The Specialist of Operations provides technical expertise and program support to help school districts strengthen food service operations and expand sustainable, scratch-cooked meal programs.

The Specialist of Operations supports school districts in transitioning to and expanding scratch-cooked meal programs through technical assistance, training, and program implementation. Reporting to the Senior Specialist of Operations, this position collaborates with internal teams, school food professionals, and external partners to improve operational practices and support sustainable solutions. The Specialist provides onsite and virtual assistance across five key areas of school food operations: food, finance, facilities, human resources, and marketing.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Expertise
  • Provides technical and operational guidance regarding USDA regulations, procurement, and school food operations.
  • Provides onsite and virtual technical assistance to school districts, supporting scratch-cooked meal programs and sustainable practices across CAF's five key areas of school food operations: food, finance, facilities, human resources, and marketing.
  • Reviews operational content associated with district work and provides feedback and recommendations to guide technical assistance.
  • Attends meetings as needed with funders and stakeholders to answer operational questions.
  • Supports food service directors with the educational components across a broad portfolio of programs and grant-funded initiatives, focusing on improving school food operations through scratch cooking and sustainable practices.
• Programs Support
  • Assists in developing district assessment reports to inform technical assistance and operational improvements.
  • Provides on-site training including, but not limited to, scratch cooking, recipe development, and local procurement for districts.
  • Assists in developing and maintaining relationships with prospective, new, and existing partner districts.
  • Represents CAF in trade-based channels, conferences, and collaboratives.
  • Collaborates with the Operations team to complete implementation activities with partner districts.
  • Ensures that the districts stay engaged and are moving through key program milestones.
  • Leads and/or participates in virtual learning sessions and other CAF professional development programs.
  • Coordinates schedules, travel, and district outreach strategy with the Operations team.
  • Works with the districts and CAF Marketing Team to highlight program results in districts’ communities and nationally.
  • Develops and delivers presentations for webinars, conferences, and other public speaking opportunities focused on school food operations.
  • Supports the effective implementation of CAF initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and a commitment to high-quality, results-driven programming.
  • Stays current on emerging trends, developments, and regulations influencing school food operations nationwide and incorporates relevant knowledge into programming.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of this position.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of college or equivalent advanced training to qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree with a relevant major: Culinary, Nutrition, Food Service.
• Minimum of four (4) years experience in school food service with preference for those operating in a scratch-cook operation.
• Requires ability to travel locally and nationally 30%-50%.
• Minimum of two (2) years of culinary experience, or an equivalent combination of formal culinary training and professional kitchen experience.
• Food Manager Certificate: must be acquired within 90 days of initial employment.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and G Suite platforms, especially on Mac OS. Experience preferred in Salesforce, Zoom, and Adobe.
• Ability to work virtually within the contiguous United States.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in understanding and the ability to develop fiscal budgets and modeling for school food programs.
• Demonstrated experience in understanding menu planning and K-12 recipe/menu software as it relates to ingredient-based, cook-from-scratch meal programs.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of K-12 procurement including RFPs, purchasing cooperatives, and inventory management.

Essential Traits

• A strong writer and editor with the ability to create and edit content for school food operators.
• Able to create and run impactful training programs for school food operators.
• Knowledge of NSLP (National School Food Lunch Program) regulations and proactive about staying informed on new regulations.
• A passion for food systems and a strong interest in childhood wellness; demonstrated commitment to school food reform.
• Ability to learn and engage with learning technology programs.
• Ability to balance and prioritize competing timelines/deliverables.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including editing.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Flexible mindset and innovative thinker.
• Willingness to engage in continuous learning and training.

Benefits

• Compensation ranges between $66,027 – $89,215 per year and will be commensurate with the candidate’s previous experience and credentials.
• Competitive benefits package, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, group life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity, 403(b) retirement plan with a match, paid parental and sabbatical leaves, holidays & paid time off.
• Fully remote national organization with team members spread across the US.

Travel

This job requires the individual to travel from school to school, and driving and a driver’s license may be required, except in rare situations where the geographic territory that the individual will cover has alternative forms of transportation that are readily available.

Posted until filled

Anticipated position start date is January 4, 2027.

At the Chef Ann Foundation, our work to ensure access to fresh, healthy school food for all is built on the idea of equity. We support and celebrate differences; our team and community are stronger with every new voice. CAF is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.