[Hiring] Senior Specialist, Operations @Chef Ann Foundation

Role Description

The Senior Specialist of Operations provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to help school districts strengthen food service operations and successfully implement sustainable, scratch-cooked meal programs.

The Senior Specialist of Operations plays a key leadership role in supporting school districts as they transition to and expand scratch-cooked meal programs. Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations, this position provides strategic direction, operational expertise, and technical assistance to improve school food systems. The Senior Specialist collaborates with internal teams, school districts, and external partners to implement effective, sustainable solutions while overseeing operational initiatives and supervising assigned team members.

Key Responsibilities

• School Food Operations & Technical Assistance
  • Provide onsite and virtual technical assistance to school districts transitioning to or expanding scratch-cooked meal programs.
  • Conduct operational reviews and onsite facility assessments to identify opportunities for improvement and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Provide technical expertise on USDA regulations, procurement, school food operations, and related operational challenges.
  • Lead school food operational initiatives, providing strategic direction and identifying opportunities for meaningful, sustainable improvements.
• Program Leadership & Strategic Partnerships
  • Oversee operational initiatives to ensure high-quality, results-driven programming aligned with CAF's mission and organizational goals.
  • Collaborate with internal teams, school food operators, funders, and program partners to support effective program implementation.
  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with organizations and stakeholders to leverage existing resources and strengthen school food systems.
  • Represent CAF in meetings with funders, stakeholders, and other partners, providing operational expertise and guidance.
• Training, Education & Team Development
  • Develop and deliver presentations, webinars, conference sessions, and other educational opportunities focused on school food operations.
  • Provide guidance and technical training to school food professionals to strengthen operational capacity and support scratch-cooked meal programs.
  • Supervise and support assigned team members, including establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and providing professional development opportunities.
  • Other duties as assigned within the scope of this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced training in Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Food Service, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in school food service management.
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional culinary experience in a leadership role, such as Executive Chef, Head Chef, Sous Chef, or a comparable position.
• Demonstrated experience training school food professionals.
• Experience utilizing K–12 recipe and menu management software.
• Experience developing fiscal budgets and financial models for school food programs.
• Experience with menu planning for ingredient-based, scratch-cooked meal programs.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment and adapt to various school food operational settings.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain a Food Manager's Certificate within 90 days of employment.
• 30%-50% Travel required.

Preferred Education, Formal Training, and Experience

• Previous experience as a working chef in a school nutrition environment, particularly within a scratch-cooked meal program.
• Advanced knowledge of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations and evolving regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of K–12 procurement practices, including RFPs, purchasing cooperatives, and inventory management.
• Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to develop educational and technical content for school food operators.

Essential Traits

• 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.

Compensation

Compensation ranges between $92,651 – $128,383 per year and will be commensurate with the candidate’s previous experience and credentials. The Chef Ann Foundation is a great place to work. It provides its staff with a 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

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.