WIC Operations Manager

Job Location: This position will be located at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Why you’ll love this position:

Are you passionate about improving the health and well-being of women, infants and children in your community? As the Missouri WIC Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading the operational activities of a vital nutrition program that supports 98,000 participants across 116 local agencies with $100 million in federal grants. This is a unique opportunity to manage complex grants, develop contracts, and coordinate budget and operational activities while ensuring our WIC program delivers essential nutrition services and supplemental food benefits to income-eligible Missouri residents. With four operations team members under your guidance, you will be at the forefront of making a tangible difference in the lives of Missouri families. The Bureau for WIC and Nutrition Services engages in many cross-unit initiatives, so this position requires someone who excels in a team environment and contributes proactively, while demonstrating the ability to work independently and make decisions autonomously. If you possess experience in managing multifaceted budget and operational activities, exceptional written communication skills, and a commitment to public service, we invite you to join our dedicated team! This position is eligible for a flexible schedule, with the expectation that the candidate will be available as needed to meet business requirements.

The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.

• Consult with WIC unit managers, ITSD and other department team members to develop the annual budget for the WIC state plan and other grant applications. Complete the operational and budget components of the annual WIC state plan. Conduct periodic budget reviews to assess funding utilization, determine if adequate funds are available, identify potential areas for cost reduction and recommend whether additional funding is needed. Prepare and review monthly and other periodic grant budget reports in collaboration with other WIC and department team members.
• Develop scopes of work for RFPs, contracts, and MOUs for goods and services while collaborating with state agency and department staff to ensure all program, department, state and federal requirements are met. Consult with other WIC program team members to ensure contracts are comprehensive and accurate. Ensure contracts and agreements are developed and executed on time.
• Manage the local agency sub-grant application and funding process and evaluate criteria for local agency requests for supplemental funding. Ensure regulatory compliance and effectively and responsibly manage the federal funding entrusted to the WIC program.
• Oversee procedures to ensure the program processes invoices accurately and on time, including monthly reimbursement claims from 116 WIC local agencies and other state agency expenditures for goods and services. Direct program activities for grant closeout.
• Evaluate WIC program state agency purchase requests to ensure they comply with state and federal regulations, are reasonable and allowable under the federal grant and are allocated to the appropriate funding streams.
• Develop program policies, training and resources to ensure robust state and local agency adherence to the WIC federal regulations (7 CFR 246) and Uniform Grant Guidance (CFR 200) while meeting the program's objectives. Maintain close communication with USDA technical assistance staff in the development of operational and fiscal policies in response to federal policy or regulatory changes.
• Coordinate responses to federal financial management reviews (i.e., audits) and state audits. Respond to requests for department, legislative and other external financial reports.
• Analyze and evaluate policies and procedures and formulate recommendations to ensure efficient and effective program operations.
• Direct the activities of four operations team members to ensure processes are completed accurately and on time. Operational processes under the manager’s oversight include, but are not limited to, state and local agency equipment and WIC card inventory management; sub-grantee application, award, reimbursement and expenditure tracking; retailer daily funding (WIC participant food benefit redemption reimbursement); and purchase requests. Ensure internal processes for operational activities are maintained, and team members are trained and supported to complete these activities. Assess team members’ performance and provide feedback and guidance to develop their effectiveness in assigned tasks.
• Attend meetings, conferences, webinars and other professional development events to increase knowledge of the WIC program's operational and fiscal aspects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A self-directed team player, adept at identifying opportunities for improvement and taking ownership of tasks while fostering collaboration and shared success.
• Bachelor’s degree in public health or business administration, organizational management, accounting, finance, or a closely related area and six or more years of relevant experience. (Substitutions may be allowed.)
• Preferred experience includes managing federal grant budgets with subrecipients; analyzing federal regulations to develop policies, training and guidance resources; and grant compliance and reporting.
• A minimum of two years of prior supervisory experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience using virtual meeting platforms. Aptitude for learning and utilizing other applications, such as Smartsheet, Trello and custom grants management systems.
• Exceptional written communication skills are essential to success.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

Dora Crawford at Dora.Crawford@health.mo.gov or 573-751-6204.

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• State of Missouri

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