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Southwest Foodservice Excellence
Columbia, South Carolina

Registered Dietitian

DietitianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$60K - $65K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Fuel Compliance and Creativity? Join Us as a Registered Dietitian in K-12 Food Service! Looking to combine your nutrition expertise with hands-on impact in schools? As a Registered Dietitian, you? ll guide menu planning, recipe development, and compliance across multiple districts.

You? ll support site teams, prep for state reviews, and ensure students get nutritious, compliant meals every day. If you're ready to blend strategy with service, this role offers the chance to lead, travel, and make a meaningful difference.

Position SummaryThe Registered Dietitian supports compliance and menu development across K-12 food programs. This role partners with the culinary and purchasing teams to create nutritious, cost-effective menus that meet federal, state, and local guidelines.

The RD also provides on-site training, prepares review documentation, and supports school teams during administrative reviews.

Key Responsibilities

Develop compliant menus in collaboration with chefs and operations leadersWrite and revise recipes to align with nutritional and regulatory standards

  • Research food products to ensure compliance with program requirementsInput menus and nutrient/allergen data into menu planning software
  • Analyze menus for meal pattern compliance and student appeal
  • Prepare documentation for state and federal administrative reviewsTravel to school sites to support preparation and success during reviews
  • Train café staff on special dietary accommodations, HACCP, and documentation practicesCoach and evaluate teams on production records and paperwork accuracy
  • Assist in procurement decisions and support menu rollouts
  • Implement tools and programs that enhance compliance and operational efficiencyAttend state and national trainings on regulatory updates
  • Provide nutrition education and training to site-level staffComplete other tasks and administrative duties as neededQualifications

Bachelor? s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related fieldRegistered Dietitian (RD) credential with active license in good standing

  • Experience in menu planning, recipe development, and school nutrition compliance
  • Familiarity with HACCP and child nutrition regulations
  • Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively and travel to sites regularly (up to 50%)Must pass background check and fingerprint screeningProficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn industry-specific softwareComfortable presenting to diverse groups and leading site-level trainingsPhysical & Work Environment Requirements

Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours and occasionally lift up to 50 poundsRegularly required to walk, sit, reach, and handle kitchen equipmentWork includes exposure to kitchen heat, cold storage, and strong food smellsModerate noise levels and extended computer work expectedTravel required approximately 50% of the year (nationwide)May work some extended weeks based on district needs and review schedulesWe are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program

Key Responsibilities

Develop and manage compliant, nutritious menus for K-12 food programs while ensuring adherence to federal and state guidelines. Provide on-site training for staff and prepare documentation for administrative reviews across multiple districts.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or Dietetics and an active Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. Candidates must have experience in school nutrition compliance and be able to travel up to 50% of the time.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Regulatory ComplianceNutritional AnalysisStaff TrainingAdministrative Review Preparation

Dietitian Career Context

Of the 50 active Clinical Nutrition listings this role was benchmarked against, 16% are remote, 24% have no call, 86% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for South Carolina is 93.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$63k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $67k in an average-cost state. 60.6% of South Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Registered Dietitian at Southwest Foodservice Excellence a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Clinical Nutrition (Dietitian) — ranked against 3,161 active Clinical Nutrition (Dietitian) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Dietitian Jobs

18 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution18 jobs · 10 employers

5
<$80k
7
$80k-95k
5
$95k-110k
1
$120k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks18 jobs · 10 employers

401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
72%
Sign-on bonus
33%
Relocation assistance
28%
Loan repayment
22%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Regional Dietitian Wellbeing Director- Allergen Management

Compass Group · Costa Mesa, California

$110k-$120k
#2

Clinical Dietitian / Registered Dietitian Cardiac Rehab

Sentara Health · Suffolk, Virginia

$72k-$106k
#3

DIETITIAN

$92k-$102k
#4

Bariatric Dietitian

$84k-$101k
+ 16 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 7.2
Among the best 10% of Clinical Nutrition (Dietitian) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,161 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Columbia

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$220k≈ 3.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,479/mo≈ 30% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
93.7
State income tax
Up to 6.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Columbia, SC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Southwest Foodservice Excellence

Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Scottsdale, AZ
501-1,000 employees