District Manager – Lead with Purpose in School Nutrition
Leadership + Strategy + Student Impact
Do you have a passion for food, education, and team development? At Whitsons Culinary Group, we're looking for a dedicated District Manager to oversee multiple residential facilities and school nutrition programs—delivering operational excellence, supporting our teams, and ensuring every student receives a high-quality dining experience. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where leadership and service go hand-in-hand, we invite you to join us in enhancing life one meal at a time™.
What You'll Do:
As a District Manager, you'll be responsible for the overall success of school food service programs within your territory. You'll lead and support General Managers, ensuring smooth operations, strong client relationships, and financial performance across all locations.
- Provide direct leadership and support to General Managers and on-site teams across corporate, residential facilities, seasonal camps, and multiple K-12 school districts.
- Drive operational excellence by monitoring key performance indicators, evaluating program execution, and ensuring compliance with USDA, state, and local regulations.
- Oversee budgets, forecasting, and financial performance—helping each district achieve targeted goals.
- Ensure the implementation of engaging marketing programs and student-focused meal concepts.
- Conduct frequent site visits (90% travel) to assess operations, support staff, and maintain high service and quality standards.
- Lead district-wide meetings, coach managers, and facilitate professional development.
- Act as a liaison between Whitsons and school district leadership—building strong partnerships through trust and transparency.
- Support new account openings, transitions, and rollouts of new initiatives and tools.
- Identify operational gaps and work with leadership to develop and execute improvement plans.
- Champion safety, compliance, and food integrity across all locations.
What You Bring:
We're looking for a strategic leader who is hands-on, team-oriented, and customer-focused.
- Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Business, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
- 10 years of food service management experience, including 7+ years in K-12 school nutrition required.
- Culinary knowledge and strong interest in menu development and student engagement.
- Excellent communication, team-building, and leadership skills.
- ServSafe Certification required; SNS certification preferred.
- Strong understanding of USDA child nutrition program regulations and food safety protocols.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to quickly adapt to new systems.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
- Must be willing to travel frequently within your assigned territory (90%+ travel).
Why You'll Love Working With Us:
- Competitive base salary + bonus potential
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Opportunities for advancement and continued professional growth
- The chance to make a daily difference in students' lives
About Whitsons:
- Whitsons Culinary Group is a mission-driven organization committed to Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™. We focus on nourishing the whole student—body and mind—through wholesome meals, friendly service, and a culture of care. As a District Manager, you'll join a passionate team dedicated to creating welcoming dining environments where students can thrive.
$120,000/year
Requirements:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent with concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business or a related field. OR
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent with any academic major AND a state recognized certificate in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, or business. At least one year of management experience, preferably in school nutrition strongly recommended. OR
- Master's degree or willingness to work toward master's degree preferred.
Certifications:
- ServSafe Mandatory– Local food safety certification if required in jurisdiction of employment. Must be knowledgeable of all local ordinances.
School Nutrition Specialist Certification preferred.
Computer Skills:
- Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications is required.
- Must be able to communicate electronically through use of email and other similar computer platforms.
- Able to learn new programs easily and quickly.
Competencies:
- Effectively write, present and transfer ideas and information.
- Act in the best interest of the customer, both internal and external.
- Create new ideas, processes or products which, when implemented, lead to positive, effective change.
- Organizational Leadership
- Apply strategic thinking, prioritization and decision-making to drive results.
- Effectively assess, select, develop and empower individuals and teams.
Other Qualifications, Experience:
- 10 years' experience in Food Service Management required.
- Minimum 7 years' experience in high volume urban K-12 programs required. Strong interest in school nutrition program development.
- Culinary background is required - Must have a passion and an interest in food.
- Working knowledge of cooking procedures and recipe adherence and scaling.
- Must possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Bilingual Spanish is highly desirable.
As an exempt position, it is expected that Team Member will devote whatever time necessary to accomplish the goals and responsibilities. This will often require extended work hours, evening and/or weekend work.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
This position will oversee the operations of a predefined territory within the company, currently NY/VT/NH. This position requires constant travel, more than 90% of the time. Most traveling will be confined to day trips within the territory but may also include overnight stays as well.
Travel will be required as necessary for proper management and development of the General Managers, client meetings, company meetings and sales presentations.
PERSONAL BEHAVIOR:
As an executive, it is expected that you will follow company policy and exhibit personal behavior consistent with our organizational culture and necessary for us to accomplish our Strategic Objectives. All activities and interactions you have on behalf of the company shall be guided by the following principles:
- Integrity – Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it or be responsible for the consequences.
- Authenticity – Keep it real. Be open with what is working and what isn't.
- Teamwork – Create an environment where teamwork can enhance performance and create opportunity.
- Safety - Create a safe working environment.
Be receptive to performance assessments to improve your effectiveness. Take direction as required to stay in alignment with individual and company goals.
You must lead by example, your personal behavior should be a model for other Team Members to follow.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:
As an executive, it is expected that you regularly demonstrate effective leadership. As such, you must be proficient in the following areas:
- Identifying and Developing Talent
- Communication – both written and verbal
The items identified above are essential but are not intended to be a complete list. You will proactively seek out and receive training in the areas above as necessary and where your competencies' and your role's requirements do not match.
