The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS), located at the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Food Operations Program Specialist. This position reports to the Deputy Chief, Nutrition and Whole Health Officer. As a Food Operations Specialist, you will be responsible for managing programs within VCS business lines. You will work alongside other Food Operations Program Specialists and Dietitians to support café and coffee shop operations.

Duties

Primary Duties include: Oversees the VCS Patriot Brew (Coffee Shops) and the Patriot Café contracted vendor programs at the corporate level. Negotiates contracts with vendors and monitors operations for compliance. Recommends improvements in service procedures, including procurement of food, supplies, equipment layout and workflow, staffing, and operational efficiencies. Identifies food and coffee operations objectives, developing strategy and setting goals, subsequently analyzing data and reviewing business trends to enhance success or identify problems. Analyzes products for use and plans product distribution to field operations for successful execution of coffee and food programs and promotions. Establishes selling prices to meet food cost and profit goals, while ensuring prices remain reasonable and competitive in the market. Develops, marketing materials, sales reports, policies, and other documents to ensure accurate information is communicated to all parties. Create action reports, food presentation guidelines and manuals. Deliver presentations, training, briefings, policy, and programs to VCS leadership. Maintains knowledge of industry trends by visiting national and local food and beverage shows, on-site vendor reviews and industry promotion shows. Travels to locations across the United States and Puerto Rico to conduct on site food operational reviews assessing overall compliance with corporate programs, provide training, assist in unit openings and closings, and participate in emergency response deployments.

Requirements

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You will be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must be vaccinated against Covid-19 for this agency.

Qualifications

At least two years of management experience in the food service/restaurant industry. Understanding of commercial coffee/restaurant industry technologies, concepts, techniques, methods, equipment, procedures, and principles. Knowledge of food operating procedures as they relate to food pricing, portion sizes, food safety and menu development. Effective in negotiating and managing contracts. Knowledge of food and beverage market techniques to identify market conditions and trends in the food and beverage industry. Ability to interpret data and apply the theory and practice of food service systems to anticipate and resolve complex issues as they relate to food and services, vendor contracting, budget compliance and operating income. Proficient in Power Point and Excel with the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Contacts

• Address VCS Central Office 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive Bldg. 25 St. Louis, MO 63125 US
• Name: Samantha Crowe
• Phone: 314-845-1497 X61497
• Email: [email protected]