MODULE 1: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL NUTRITION MANAGER

Office of Child Nutrition Mississippi State Department of Education

Purpose of DECIDE to Succeed Training• Mandatory for all new managers as one part of the

certification process required by the Mississippi State Department of Education and the Office of Child Nutrition.

• Designed to help managers new to their jobs become successful leaders in the school nutrition program.

2Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

What is expected of participants?

1. Come to class ready to learn?2. Listen during class and complete the assignments in 

your DECIDE workbook.3. Work with other members of your team during 

group activities.4. Participate in class discussion; ask questions.5. Successfully complete all assessments.

3Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Graded Assessments : 100 Points

•Case Studies (30 points: 6 case studies @ 5 points each)

•Class Participation (5 points)•Multiple Choice Assessments (65 points)

4Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Role of the School Nutrition ManagerDescribe the roles and responsibilities of a school nutrition program manager.

5Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

School Nutrition Manager

Manager: • directly responsible for the management of the day-to-day

operations of the school nutrition program at the school site

• sets the standards for the staff to follow and ensures the standards are met

6Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Manager Responsibilities

What are your responsibilities? 1. Daily Operations2. Setting and ensuring standards are met

List one specific responsibility in each category on a sticky note and post on the flip chart.

7Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Manager ResponsibilitiesDaily operations

• supervising site employees

• placing food/supply orders

• oversight of meal service and extra food sales

• ensuring adequate inventory is available

• reconciling point of service records daily

Setting and ensuring high standards

• responsibilities for implementing meal pattern and nutritional quality standards

• certifying compliance with meal count procedures

• implementing and monitoring food safety procedures

• following employee labor policies.

8Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Management DecisionsObjectiveRecognize the importance of decision making on the operation of the school nutrition program.

9Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Job Descriptions

•A job description is a list of specific responsibilities that are to be performed in a job.

•A job description may also list job qualifications and terms of employment.

10Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Using Job DescriptionsCompare your job duties with a job description from another school.

• How do the areas on the job description shown in your workbook compare to your own job description?

• Are there responsibilities listed in the example that are not required of your position?

• Are there responsibilities in your job description that you do not see listed in the example in the workbook?

11Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Professional RequirementsObjectiveDemonstrate professionalism and leadership in the management of the school nutrition program.

12Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

USDA Professional Standards• Starting July 1, 2015, managers must complete training

each year for a specified number of hours. The training is sponsored by the Office of Child Nutrition.

Possible topics to include: • training in administrative practices, • identification of reimbursable meals at point of service,• nutrition and meal standards, • health and safety standards, • and any other topics as determined by the Office of

Child Nutrition to address School Nutrition Program integrity or other critical issues.

13Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Definition of

Management is “the act or manner of managing, handling, directing, or controlling.”

14Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Management StylesAuthoritarian

• Makes most decisions with no input from employees.

• The climate is usually structured and controlled.

• Creativity may be discouraged.

15Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Management StylesLaisse-Faire

• Decisions are made by anybody or everybody.

• The climate is unstructured and there is little direction from the manager.

• There is often little or no monitoring and manager may heap praise one minute and criticize the next.

16Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Management StylesDemocratic:

• Manager obtains input from employees before making decisions.

• The climate fosters teamwork.

• The manager monitors based on need and gives both positive and constructive comments.

17Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

School Nutrition Leader Characteristics• Accept responsibility to fulfill the purpose of the school

nutrition program which is feeding children according to federal guidelines.

• Demonstrate accountability for the program, its operation, and activities.

• Nurture the well-being and development of the school staff team.

• Respond to concerns of students, parents, teachers, and school officials.

18Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Leadership Skills: CommunicationCommunication: • How does the manager deal with personnel?

• How much direction is given to the employees? Is the manager a good listener?

• Does the manager provide constructive feedback?

Leadership skills

Planning

Communication

Motivation

19Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Leadership Skills: Planning Planning for Success: • Is the workflow smooth or chaotic? • Are there contingency plans for unexpected events?

• Does the workflow promote teamwork? • What is the manager’s view of his/her role as the leader?

Leadership skills

Planning

Communication

Motivation

20Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Leadership Skills: MotivationMotivation: • How much oversight is given?

• Is getting the job done a result of constant manger direction or do employees feel inspired to make it happen as part of their job?

• Motivation is a key element in a productive workplace.

21Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Scoring the Leadership Assessment• A score of 50 or higher indicates a desire to become a

leader and a perceived ability to perform the tasks of a leader.

• A score of 50 or less indicates a general dislike of wanting to become a leader or perceived inability to perform the tasks of a leader.

22Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Stakeholders in the School Nutrition Program

Objective:Identify the stakeholders in the school and community that have special concerns in school nutrition programs.

23Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Managers Role with Stakeholders• Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have concerns

or interest in school nutrition programs.• Stakeholders include;

• district administrators, • school board members, • school business officials, • principals, • teachers, • school nurses, • school nutrition program employees, • students, • parents, and • departmental groups such as transportation, maintenance,

and special services.

24Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Stakeholders• Transportation: notification of field trips planned• Maintenance: basic training tips for new employees on care and use of equipment

• Athletic: pre-games meals can result in support from athletes for school-day meals

• Parent/Teacher Organization: cooperation can result in verbal support for school meals in the community

25Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Accountability ChecklistAccountability Performance Indicator

Score = 5 Score = 3 Score = 1 ScoreFull Implementation Considerable

ImplementationLimited Implementation

The “And Justice for All” poster is prominently displayed in a location that enables program participants to read the text of the poster without obstruction.

Maintains a copy of job descriptions for each staff position.

Follows policies and procedures issued by the school district.

Provides orientation training for new employees.Follow district policy on professional training standards.

Communicates the school district policy on days allowed for fundraising.

Maintains documentation for the school nutrition program as required by the local, state, and federal governments.

Goes to professional development training to improve leadership skills.

Monitor access to free potable water during meal service to ensure availability to all children.

Keeps a copy of the school wellness policy to ensure compliance with federal and state regs.

Total

26Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers

Summary

The best leaders are those who: • communicate clearly and concisely • plan for an effective workflow• motivate everyone to give his or her best all the time

• provide support for the staff that allows professional growth

27Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of SN Managers