Regional Director, Culinary Operations, NYC

What Do We Do

Red Rabbit is a Black-owned School Food Management Company that works with hundreds of schools, districts, and food banks to uplift communities of color throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Our professionally trained chefs create menus, source farm-fresh ingredients, and cook delicious, thoughtful, and familiar food. School food matters not only because it’s integral to good health, but also because what children eat is an essential part of their cultural identity and sense of self.

About the Role

We are seeking a Regional Director to lead operations in the NYC area. This role provides a unique opportunity to work within the educational and culinary fields in a senior leadership capacity.

As the Regional Director, you will oversee 4-8 school cafeterias, leading a dynamic team of 15-30 employees. You will be responsible for team coordination, fostering strong school relationships, and providing administrative oversight. As a senior leader, exceptional communication and organizational skills are critical for success in this role.

The ideal candidate is an experienced people manager who can collaborate effectively with staff at all levels. You should be passionate about working in an urban school environment and committed to uplifting and honoring the cultural heritage of the children we serve.

Critical Functions

• Team Management: Lead, motivate, and coach District Managers and Head Chefs to create a cohesive team environment that reflects our kitchen culture, centered around affirming children, delivering exceptional service, and fostering culinary excellence. Collaborate with senior leadership to drive strategic company objectives and partner with school administration to enhance overall satisfaction.
• School Partnership: Cultivate and nurture relationships with school leaders at various levels. Foster positive partnerships between Red Rabbit team members and school stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, and administrators. Actively engage the school community and families by promoting Red Rabbit’s distinctive value-added services in the cafeteria.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain daily communication with District Managers and Head Chefs to address immediate issues, share best practices, preview upcoming menu changes, and gather feedback. Ensure recipe development aligns with food cost analysis to meet budgetary constraints. Keep Red Rabbit’s data systems up to date across all kitchens, and ensure compliance with health department regulations (DOH), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines.

Skills & Requirements

• BA/BS degree in operations, management, or a related field.
• 7 years of people management experience in a fast-paced environment.
• 3 years in a senior management role with P&L or full budget responsibility.
• Demonstrated understanding of food service financials, cost management, and budget creation.
• Experience managing and training exempt and non-exempt staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities; highly organized, detail-oriented, and analytical.
• Must be reliable, function well within a team, and work calmly and efficiently in a fast-moving environment.

Job Type: Full Time
Typical Hours: Monday-Friday
Location: New York City, NY

Salary: $95K - $115K
Benefits:
- Generous PTO- Up to 6 weeks
- Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
- 401k Option - provided by Guideline
- Class Pass - worldwide access to thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons and spas
- Professional Development
- Education Reimbursement Opportunities
- Travel Reimbursements
- Working in an uplifting and woman- forward company

About The Company
Founded in 2005, Red Rabbit is a black-owned, MWBE Certified, K-12 school food management company that believes choosing to feed children diverse and nutritious food is an act of social justice. Red Rabbit celebrates all cultures in the urban school cafeteria by preparing meals that reflect the heritage of the kids they serve. The company places professionally trained chefs in the school cafeteria to create culturally relevant meals that become part of the school community.

Pro tip: When applying to this job, note we value creativity in thinking and real problem-solving skills. Tell us how you’ve added value to a team in the past and why you want to join Red Rabbit.

Red Rabbit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Salary : $95,000 - $115,000