Head Of School Partnerships & Nutrition Programs

Job Summary

B&M Catering Co. has been proudly serving Southern New England since 1984, delivering exceptional food and unmatched service across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Our Schools & Community division is one of the cornerstones of our business, and we are seeking an experienced and driven Head of School Partnerships & Nutrition Programs to lead our charter school meal programs. This is a high-impact role at the center of our business - overseeing approximately 7,500 daily school lunches, managing charter school partnerships, ensuring federal and state reimbursement compliance, and driving program growth through new and renewed contracts.

The ideal candidate is a Registered Dietitian (or equivalent) with a passion for child nutrition, strong operational instincts, and the ability to manage multiple school accounts with confidence and precision. You'll collaborate closely with our Executive Chef on menu development, oversee a direct report, and serve as the primary relationship manager for our charter school clients.

Key Responsibilities

School Partnerships & Contract Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for charter school administrators, building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships

• Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts including renewals, pricing, and service expectations

• Support business growth by developing new school partnerships, managing bid and RFP processes, and overseeing contract renewals, with performance-based incentive opportunities

• Onboard new school clients and manage program rollouts from start to finish

Nutrition Program Leadership

• Lead menu development in collaboration with the Executive Chef on a 21-day rotating cycle

• Ensure all meal programs comply with USDA Food and Nutrition Service guidelines and National School Lunch Program requirements

• Manage dietary substitutions and accommodations for students with allergies or special nutritional needs

• Stay current on Rhode Island Department of Education and federal child nutrition regulations

Reimbursement & Claims Management

• Oversee all federal and state reimbursement processes for school meal programs

• Ensure accurate meal counts, eligibility documentation, and timely claims submission and reconciliation

• Maintain audit-ready records for contracts, claims, and compliance documentation

• Prepare materials for state reviews and program audits

Operations & Team Coordination

• Supervise one direct report (Sr. Operations Manager) responsible for meal counts, invoicing, and driver coordination

• Collaborate with kitchen, delivery, and on-site school staff to ensure consistent, high-quality service across all locations

• Resolve service or compliance issues quickly and effectively

Reporting & Analysis

• Track reimbursement revenue, contract performance, and program participation trends

• Provide regular performance and financial reports to leadership

• Identify and act on opportunities to improve efficiency, compliance, and participation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Business, Public Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• 2-5+ years of experience in school nutrition programs, food service contract management, or government reimbursement programs (CACFP, NSLP, SBP, SFSP, SMP, RIDE)

• Registered Dietitian (RD) credential strongly preferred

• Knowledge of federal and state child nutrition program compliance requirements

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data/records management systems

Preferred:

• Experience working with charter schools or K-12 food service operations

• Experience using the Health E Pro software program. This is what we use to facilitate menu compliance at the state and federal levels.

• Familiarity with Rhode Island child nutrition program requirements

• Background in catering or high-volume food service environments

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple accounts and competing deadlines

Soft Skills We're Looking For

• Assertive and confident communicator

• Highly organized with strong time management

• Proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, client-facing environment

Work Environment

• Office-based in Pawtucket, RI with regular field visits to partner charter schools

• Collaborative team environment working closely with kitchen, operations, and school staff

• Monday-Friday schedule; no weekends required

$65,000 - $75,000 a year

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.