Director, Food & Nutrition
Food and Nutrition Department
Greater Bergen Community Action’s (GBCA) Head Start Preschool program is a rewarding environment for individuals passionate about helping others, seeking to advance their careers while making a positive impact. Our mission is to provide a quality, comprehensive educational program that prepares children and their families for kindergarten and life beyond. With its origins in the War on Poverty, Head Start is one of the longest-running federally funded programs. The Head Start model has been praised and emulated throughout the country.
At GBCA, our Head Start Preschool program collaborates with local school districts. We offer a supportive work environment that recognizes the value of every employee, and our focus is continually on staff wellness.
We are seeking an experienced and strategic, hands-on Director of Food & Nutrition Services to lead and oversee a multi-site food service operation across three service areas within a Head Start program. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and efficient nutrition services that support the health, development, and school readiness of young children.
The Director will provide leadership to kitchen operations, staff supervision, compliance monitoring, and program planning while ensuring alignment with Head Start Performance Standards, USDA requirements, and state/local health
This is an opportunity to lead a critical component of a mission-driven program serving children and families across multiple communities. You will play a key role in ensuring children receive nutritious meals that support their growth, health, and readiness to learn.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Service Management, or related field required
- Registered Dietician
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in food service operations, preferably in early childhood, school nutrition, or large-scale institutional settings
- Strong knowledge of CACFP, USDA regulations, and food safety standards
- Experience managing multi-site operations and supervising diverse teams
- Demonstrated ability to lead compliance, audits, and program improvement initiatives
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
- Certified ServSafe Manager credential
- Good computer skills – Microsoft applications and knowledge of nutrient analysis programs.
- Knowledge of USDA Childcare guidelines is a plus
- Strong writing and verbal presentation skills
- Bilingual Preferred Spanish/Arabic/Bengali a plus
- Valid NJ driver’s license, good driving history. Use of own vehicle for self-transportation; local travel is required.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and oversight of food and nutrition services across multiple sites and commercial kitchens
- Ensure full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines, and local health department regulations
- Develop and implement nutritionally balanced, culturally responsive menus for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
- Supervise and support Kitchen Managers, Food Service Staff, and Nutrition personnel across all service areas
- Oversee food procurement, vendor management, inventory control, and cost efficiency
- Monitor meal service operations, food safety practices, and sanitation standards
- Lead program audits, monitoring reviews, and corrective action plans as needed
- Collaborate with Family Services, Health, and Education teams to support whole-child outcomes
- Provide training and professional development to food service staff
- Manage departmental budget, forecasting, and reporting.
Physical & Mental Demands:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those employees must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
EEO Statement:
Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Position is Full-time (Monday – Friday) and includes the following benefits: Medical via ICHRA model, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation, holiday, and sick time, participation in retirement plans with a match after 1 year, and participation in flexible spending accounts.
Please state salary requirements when applying for the position.