Sports Dietitian / Food Service Director (MLS Team)

Thomas Cuisine
San Jose

Join Our REAL Food Mission!

We are seeking a Sports Dietitian and Food Service Director to lead the performance nutrition and food service program for a professional MLS team in San Jose, CA. The Registered Dietitian License is mandatory for this crucial role. This is a unique opportunity to shape the fueling strategies of elite athletes while managing a small, close-knit culinary team.

Who We are Looking For

In this highly visible and hands-on role, you will serve as both the Director of Food Service and the personal Sports Dietitian to professional athletes, focusing on fueling performance through nutrition, operational excellence, and meaningful relationships. You’ll join a family-like, collaborative environment and work closely with chefs, athletic staff, and players to ensure each meal is crafted with purpose, flavor, and precision. You must be passionate about athletics/fitness and excited about the prospect of immersing the culinary department into the journey and success of the team.

Your Role and Impact

As the Sports Dietitian/FSD, you will lead a dedicated team of five in a premium kitchen environment while acting as a trusted nutrition advisor to individual players. From sourcing fresh, local ingredients to designing personalized performance plans, your work will directly support the health, recovery, and peak performance of every athlete you serve. You’ll also champion a food-first culture that supports wellness, accountability, and high standards across the board. You will measure and track player nutritional intakes, performance markers, and report nutritional KPIs to the client in order to demonstrate progress towards nutritional goals. You work and influence will lift and empower players to reach their full athletic potential.

What You will Do

Team Leadership & Operations

  • Lead, mentor, and schedule a culinary team of 5 (chefs, prep staff, and service support).
  • Oversee all food service operations and ensure consistent execution of high-quality meals.
  • Ensure food safety and cleanliness standards are upheld across all meal services.
  • Support special events and match day functions with on-time meal delivery and presentation.
  • Serve as a proactive liaison between the culinary team and the sports performance and coaching team, ensuring alignment on goals and success markers. 

Nutrition & Athlete Experience

  • Create individualized meal plans tailored to player performance, health, and preferences.
  • Align food strategy with the broader goals of coaching, training, and medical teams.
  • Provide ongoing education and engagement around performance nutrition.
  •  Offer travel nutrition advice, fueling options, and provide food for away games as appropriate.
  • Maintain visibility and build trust with athletes by being present and approachable.

Culinary Vision & Sourcing

  • Champion a menu built around whole, performance-focused foods with local sourcing when possible.
  • Establish partnerships with suppliers and farms to deliver quality and consistency.
  • Support innovation in presentation, meal planning, and taste experience for elite athletes.
  • Implement and uphold Thomas Cuisine's REAL Food standards into all aspects of the operation.

Cost & Vendor Management

  • Maintain food cost and inventory within budget.
  • Manage procurement and vendor relationships.
  • Monitor inventory and reduce waste while maintaining quality.

What You’ll Need

  • Registered Dietitian (RD) credential required, with planning to maintain the credential throughout employment.
  • 5+ years in food service or sports nutrition; 2+ years in leadership or director-level role.
  • Experience with catering, menu planning, and event nutrition (preferably in a performance setting).
  • Strong culinary and kitchen operations knowledge.
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
  • Comfortable working directly with professional or elite-level athletes.
  • ServSafe Certification required or willingness to obtain.
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus but not required.
  • A high level of professionalism, confidentiality, and flexibility with schedule needs.

What’s in It for You

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40–50 hours/week with occasional evenings/weekends based on team schedules.
Compensation: Competitive salary between $110k and $120k based on experience + potential 10% yearly bonus based on performance.

Access to full benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Employee wellness programs
  • Career development and learning opportunities

Why Thomas Cuisine

At Thomas Cuisine, we believe in the power of food to support performance, health, and human connection. As a privately held, award-winning culinary service provider, we do things differently—with humility, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Our team members are purposeful, people-driven, and dedicated to delivering 

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships.