Vice President, Operations - Duval County Schools

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit

Job Summary

**Offering Relocation Assistance $$**

The Vice President of Operations (VPO) for Chartwells K12 at Duval County Public Schools is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of food service operations across the district. This leader serves as a strategic partner to the client and school system, ensuring delivery of best-in-class dining experiences, financial performance, and student engagement while developing a strong operational team. The VPO drives innovation, consistency, and operational excellence through alignment with Chartwells K12’s mission

• Lead and coordinate multi-site foodservice operations, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and student-focused programs.
• Manage a team of salaried operators and support roles, promoting continuous development, succession planning, and team engagement.
• Develop and maintain positive connections with school district leaders, administrators, and community collaborators to encourage partnership and trust.
• Guarantee compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in all units, in accordance with Chartwells K12’s brand standards, wellness initiatives, and regulations.
• Leverage data and analytics to guide operational decision-making, labor optimization, and cost management.
• Drive participation and engagement through creative marketing, student voice initiatives, and community outreach programs.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams such as HR, Finance, Culinary, and Communications to ensure operational alignment and business success.
• Assist with new business, retention, and special projects through participating in proposals, presentations, and planning initiatives.
• Model a culture of operational excellence through on-site presence, mentoring, and by ensuring safety, quality, and service excellence in every school.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in foodservice operations, with at least 5 years at the multi-unit or regional level.
• Proven success in client relationship management, financial oversight, and team development.
• Expertise in K12 school nutrition operations and USDA compliance strongly preferred.
• Strong business insight in interpreting financial data, performance reports, and critical metrics.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and digital collaboration skills.
• Comfortable leading in-person and virtual teams with agility.
• Experience with large-scale program rollouts, system implementation, and strategic project management.
  
  

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here for paid time off benefits information.

Req ID: 1465848

Chartwells K12

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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