Nutrition Financial Management and Procurement Specialist

Job Description

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

The Office for Food and Nutrition Programs administers federal child nutrition and food distribution programs that contribute to the health and well-being of the Commonwealth's children, by supporting nutritious meal service in day care centers, family day care homes, adult day health programs, summer meals programs and schools.

The Financial Management and Procurement Specialist for the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) works under the direction of the Financial Management Coordinator for FNP to directly oversee the internal financial management responsibilities and external financial reporting for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These areas include: National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack, Special Milk (SMP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Food Distribution Programs. The specialist will oversee the department fiscal contact responsibilities including the management of spending plans, budgets, procurement, inter-agency agreements, encumbrance management and invoicing in addition to claim processing and required federal reporting. Additionally, the specialist will oversee the state Food Service Management Company (FSMC) Request for Proposal (RFP) and contract template process, including annual updates and ongoing district technical assistance and training, as well as other state procurement templates and processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs' departmental spending plans to establish and oversee expense budgets for encumbrances, track invoicing to ensure all payment activities are accomplished prior to the end of annual accounts payable period and conduct reconciliation throughout the fiscal year.

Oversee procurement activities including open orders for USDA Grant Awards, Interagency Service Agreements (ISAs), work orders, contracts, and requisitions for services with external vendors/partners.

Manage the online Security Portal fiscal utilities including encumbrance maintenance, weekly payment journal process for Child Nutrition Program claims, claim adjustments and fiscal disallowances.

Directly oversee FNP's Food Service Management Company (FSMC) state Request for Proposal (RFP) and contract template process including annual updates and ongoing district technical assistance and training.

Develop and maintain state procurement templates for vendor contracts available for use in the Child Nutrition Programs including ongoing technical assistance and training with sponsor entities.

Validate and enter monthly, quarterly, and annual Child Nutrition Program participation and financial data into the online USDA Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS);

Create and maintain a State agency registration system for FSMCs and vended meals suppliers for Massachusetts CNP operators;

Collaborate within FNP to review and update FSMC RFP/Contract and Vended Meals contract templates;

Collaborate within FNP on process management for approvals of FSMC RFPs, contracts and contract renewal documents;

Assist with the development and implementation of policies and procedures that ensure efficient and effective financial management service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of State and Federal Child Nutrition laws, rules and regulations.

Knowledge of program admission and compliance procedures.

Knowledge of general accepted financial procedures and federal, state and municipal finance laws and regulations.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and general statistical and technical report writing.

Ability to render, evaluate and advise on Child Nutrition Financial related services.