Job Description
The General Manager of K-12 Food service is responsible for overseeing food service operations at eight schools, for the Juneau School District, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, service delivery, and operational efficiency. This leadership role will work closely with teams to meet financial, regulatory, and customer satisfaction goals, while also driving continuous improvement in our food service programs.
This position will support the Juneau School District located in Juneau, AK. The successfully hired candidate must live in or be willing to relocate to Juneau, AK.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee food service operations across eight schools, ensuring high-quality meal delivery and exceptional service aligned with client and company standards.
- Manage full-cycle staffing, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention to maintain optimal staffing levels and reduce turnover.
- Ensure compliance with NSLP standards and successfully pass annual Alaska DEED reviews.
- Maintain strict adherence to all regulatory requirements, including food safety, sanitation, licensing, and employment laws (ADA, EEOC, FMLA, OSHA, Wage & Hour).
- Utilize and enforce NMS systems and programs (Culinary Training, Labor Optimization, Procurement, HACCP, TAM, Marketing Initiatives) to drive operational consistency.
- Analyze financial and operational performance to inform decisions, implement improvements, and consistently meet or exceed budget goals.
- Partner with Regional Operations leadership and clients to manage relationships, support contract negotiations, and ensure service excellence.
- Partner with marketing team to execute student participation growth campaigns.
- Develop teams through coaching, performance management, and structured training programs, while driving succession planning and leadership pipeline growth.
- Identify opportunities for business growth by leveraging industry trends and enhancing program offerings.
- This position is responsible for the supervision of staff.
- Other duties that are pertinent to the department or unit’s success also may be assigned.
Leadership and Communication
- Champion the culture of NMS. Always strive to understand, support and promote NMS’ mission, values and management philosophy.
- Build and nurture a wide network of business relationships with clients, influential people on campus, customers and employees.
- Help build and secure the NMS brand and image. Always represent the company in a professional, positive manner.
- Utilize a variety of communication modes, including the Microsoft 365, NMS’ Intranet, PowerPoint and Word.
- Practice effective interpersonal communications. Be a good listener and a capable negotiator who can deliver effective presentations.
- Plan and develop compelling, effective programs for use in sales proposals.
- Make creative, practical suggestions for use in the development of sales proposals.
- Support new account openings by sharing both resources and talents.
- Assist with region and division project teams when requested.
- Assist with training, both development and delivery, when needed.
- Become an active participant in the life of the community, thus helping NMS to establish and maintain a good name.
Qualifications
- Five (5) years of institutional food service management experience.
- Proven experience in K12 food service management or similar field, with a strong track record of leadership and operational success.
- In-depth knowledge of food safety, sanitation practices, and relevant regulations in the K-12 sector.
- Experience overseeing a budget or revenue of at least three million dollars.
- A valid Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record for the past three (3) years to be eligible under NMS’ vehicle insurance policy.
- ServSafe certification contingent up on 30 days of hire.
- Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management, forecasting, and cost control.
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs such as Teams, Word, Excel PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple teams and with clients.
- Contract requires employees to speak, understand, read and write English.
- Ability to utilize company provided menu management and production record software.
- Demonstrated ability to foster employee growth and create a positive work environment.
- Strong analytical skills to assess operational data and implement actionable improvements.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and drive continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- K12, Higher Education, or related experience.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Weather: Indoor/Outdoor (Occasional exposure to moderate weather)
Noise level: Moderate
Description of environment: This is an industrial kitchen located in a school setting.
Physical requirements: Employee is required to lift and/or move up to 25lbs Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands/fingers to handle or feel, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk/hear, see, taste/smell, and carry weight/lift.
Travel: Employee may travel up to 10% to various locations within the U.S. and/or remote locations and may be required to use alternative modes of transportation, including but not limited to snow machines, boats, small airplanes, and ATVs. Travel is coordinated by NMS.
Competencies
NMS Core Values
Safety guides our behavior.
Honesty and integrity govern our activities.
Commitments made will be fulfilled.
All individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
The environment will be protected and sustained.
