Job Summary

Manage Early Years’s meal services program, spoonFULL, including the operation of two kitchens (Durham and Raleigh) that prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks for young children in local child care centers. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall service, customer satisfaction and viability of Early Years’s spoonFULL meal services program.
• Engage with all spoonFULL clients (child care centers), including soliciting feedback, fielding customer service issues, recruiting new centers, securing service agreements, etc.
• Monitor the quality of food and service, including food substitutions, as required for individual children, and meal delivery.
• Plan monthly menus for all kitchens, ensuring the menus accommodate the varying needs of each kitchen.
• Directly supervise spoonFULL kitchen supervisors and indirectly supervise all prep cooks, overseeing schedules and daily operations. Serve as a kitchen staff substitute as needed, in all locations and all roles.
• Work with Human Resources and kitchen supervisors (as appropriate) to hire all spoonFULL staff and any needed temps.
• Develop and maintain the spoonFULL budgets and provide regular analysis of program financial performance.
• Negotiate pricing with food service vendors, delivery services, equipment vendors, etc. 
• Oversee maintenance of both kitchens and equipment.
• Maintain accurate and timely records including, delivery receipts, food allergy documentation, daily meal production record, time sheets and other necessary forms.
• Work closely with the delivery vendor to ensure that the service and routes conform to the needs of the program.
• Participate in local, regional, and statewide food and nutrition efforts as approved by Early Years (e.g. farm to preschool activities and food security committees).
• Support future program expansion efforts throughout North Carolina, including providing technical assistance to central kitchen startups.
• Treat information on Early Years clients, employees or Board members in a confidential manner.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by Early Years leadership.

Special Skills

• Accuracy, problem solving, concentration in an active environment, judgment, initiative (ability to work without direct supervision).
• Effective oral and written communication skills with internal and external clients.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Four years of technical school or college (with a concentration in food service preferred)
• Seven years of food service experience, including experience with volume production and scratch cooking
• Three years of supervisory experience
• Strong math and computer skills, with proficiency in Word and Excel

Special Working Requirements

• An automobile at his/her disposal; a valid, non-suspended NC driver’s license and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage. Reasonable accommodations may be made at agency’s discretion.
• Must be able to manipulate and operate office supplies and equipment. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.
• No substantiation or criminal conviction of child abuse or neglect
• May require need for flexible schedules, including potential evening and weekend work
• Must adhere to established health and safety protocols when onsite at Early Years’s physical office locations
• Must have internet access at in home residence to support remote work arrangements as necessary
• Some regional/statewide/national daytime and/or overnight travel may be required

Early Years Benefits

Early Years has a generous benefits package. Permanent employees that work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for benefits. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer contribution to 401k Retirement Plan
• Paid annual and sick leave
• 15 paid days of holiday leave
• Paid child Involvement Leave
• Paid discretionary leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Child Care Tuition payments
• And more…

Early Years also offers many fringe benefits. Some of the fringe benefits include:

• Casual dress work environment
• Direct deposit
• Standing and emergency payroll advances
• Child Care Referral assistance
• And more…

Early Years has been awarded Living Wage Employer Certifications in Orange and Durham Counties, and is a Family Forward NC Certified Employer.

Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Early Years is no longer requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for employment due to the fact that there is significantly less risk of severe illness.  However, Early Years strongly recommends that employees receive this vaccination in order to minimize the risk of infections in our workplace. 

Job Features

Job Category	Exempt
Division	Business Services
Department	Nutrition Services
Hiring Range	$57,266 – $64,000