Director of Culinary Services

About LakeHouse Senior Living LakeHouse Senior Living operates care and lifestyle-focused Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities across five states, serving approximately thousands of residents and families. Guided by our Pillars of Excellence, LakeHouse fosters a culture of connection, authenticity, and purpose where residents feel at home and Team Members feel inspired to learn, grow, and lead. As part of one of the largest senior living families in the United States, LakeHouse communities have earned Great Place to Work® certifications from 2022-2026. LakeHouse is a place where purpose thrives, culture unites us, and opportunity is always present. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members' professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career. Responsibilities: Develops and implements food services policies, procedures, and job descriptions. Plans menus and menu cycles according to cultural and regional food preferences, and resident dietary guidelines. Adjusts recipes to appropriate yield. Monitors the quality and consistency of the food to include food temperatures, portion control, palatability and attractiveness of food, and implements changes to ensure quality according to established standards. Observes workers engaged in preparing, portioning, and garnishing foods to ensure that methods of cooking and garnishing and sizes of portions are as prescribed. Cooks and carves meats, and prepares dishes. Orders food and chemical supplies for the kitchen; receives and validates all food deliveries against order form. Inventories food items monthly. Conducts regular Quality Assurance Audits. Practices safe and sanitary food handling. Practices all safety and loss prevention procedures. Negotiates and signs food service agreements with vendors. Selects, schedules, and conducts orientation and in-service educational programs for personnel. Monitors monthly expenditures to include explanation of significant variances to ensure compliance with budget. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in culinary arts program preferred. Minimum of 5 years of management experience in a food service environment. Must have successfully completed food safety training. Ability to handle multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment. Proficient organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines. Strong computer skills. Provides leadership by exhibiting confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well. Why Join Us Discovery Senior Living Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2026! A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It's just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members. Find out what makes working at Discovery unique in the world of senior living. Discover Your Purpose! Our Culture & Values So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we're unified by certain, core values, which we call our "Pillars of Excellence." They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY. Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success. Benefits You'll Enjoy For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive pay with early access to earned wages, flexible scheduling, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) with employer match, paid training and growth opportunities, uniforms (where applicable), and additional perks such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), volunteer time off, and wellness-related benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/V A Note to Applicants This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis. Agency Policy We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly. Employment Scam Warning We only post jobs on our official careers site and accept applications through that platform. We do not conduct interviews via text or social media or ask for personal or banking information. Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening Discovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state-mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint-based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access. Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state-specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members. Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: JOB CODE: 1004393