Culinary Services Director

Culinary Services Director - Full Time

Love creating great food and leading a kitchen team? We’re looking for a Culinary Services Director to oversee dining services in our senior living community. This role focuses on quality meals, a welcoming dining experience, and meeting the unique dietary needs of our residents. Join a team where your work truly makes a difference every day.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Creates, plans, and implements all functions of the culinary services department in cooperation with the Executive Director.
• Establishes and maintains high standards of menu planning, food purchasing, storage, preparation, service, sanitation, and maintains an adequate stock of all necessary items.
• Follows budgetary guidelines and looks for ways to improve food costs without compromising on quality and customer service.
• Prepares invoices for payment.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, evaluates, coaches, and terminates employees following community procedures.
• Orients, trains, and supervises all culinary services personnel so that they may do their jobs effectively.
• Conducts in-service education to culinary services staff and to health services staff as required and as needed.
• Interviews residents regarding menu likes and dislikes and evaluates nutritional changes on an ongoing basis.
• Meets stock truck and checks on deliveries.
• Makes modifications in quantity and content of meals to accommodate food preferences and/or requirements of residents.
• Maintains accurate and adequate staffing schedule; covers shifts resulting from call-offs.
• Establishes, revises, and maintains current job duties sheets as needed for all culinary services employees.
• Maintains a positive customer service relationship practicing honesty and integrity in all aspects of job performance.
• Establishes and maintains a safe, clean, and healthy environment following all state, federal, local and community policies and procedures and laws for culinary services departments.
• Represents Culinary Services Department at community meetings and Resident Council meetings listening to suggestions and following up as appropriate. Passes information to other department staff maintaining a positive flow of communication.
• Is familiar with all chemicals and handles them in a safe manner according to policies and procedures and MSDS.
• Maintains confidentiality of residents personal information in and out of the community and protects and supports residents rights.
• Maintains a professional appearance by dressing in required dress protocol and ensures all staff is professionally attired in appropriate uniforms.
• Maintains a professional demeanor that encourages a positive nurturing environment for the residents, families, vendors, and guests.
• Maintains a positive customer service environment and practices honesty and integrity in all aspects of performance.

Managerial Breadth/Scope of Job

Direct supervision of all culinary services staff.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must be knowledgeable of and skilled in operation of all kitchen equipment.
• Must have excellent organizational, motivational, and leadership skills.
• Must possess a genuine compassion for the elderly and disabled.
• Must be able to work independently without direct supervision by following all community policies and procedures and guidelines using good judgment and common sense.
• Maintains a positive, pleasant manner at all times realizing that work environment can be stressful and demanding. Must be able to manage stress in a constructive manner seeking assistance of Administrator as needed.
• Must maintain a current drivers license and comply with all requirements of Bethesda's Auto Policy.
• Demonstrates a SERVANT heart and attitude by following the Bethesda Senior Living Communities Mission Statement.

Education/Experience

Position requires high school graduation or equivalent with additional education or training in appropriate techniques of resident care including nutritional monitoring and assessment, general nutrition, food production and service, sanitation and safety, and management. Has appropriate health certificate as required by local, state, and federal health departments.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

Work environment is a restaurant style kitchen containing heat, steam, and cold temperatures. Duties and activities are fast paced, following strict scheduled time frames. Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 20 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally and perform full range reaching abilities. Must be able to read and follow directions and recipes. Position requires stirring, sifting, cutting, slicing, reaching, bending, standing for long periods of time, and ambulating from kitchen to dining room carrying trays, plates, silverware, and accessories.

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.