Food Service Director

Food Service Director

Food Service Director Full-Time | Arbors/Ivy

Join the Arbors/Ivy Team

At Arbors/Ivy, we are family-oriented and committed to family-centered aging through generations. We lead with integrity through care, compassion, and teamwork, and we build trust by creating meaningful experiences for every resident and family. We believe in a culture of collective ownership—where we stand together and do whatever it takes to deliver excellence. And we do it with a positive, united team that values hard work, pride in what we do, and a good laugh along the way.

About the Role

The Food Service Director is responsible for delivering an exceptional dining experience through nutritious, flavorful, and beautifully presented meals. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in their food, moves with urgency, and notices the details others miss.

You won't stay hidden in the kitchen. You'll be out in the dining room, talking with residents, learning what they love, and building relationships—while still keeping the kitchen running smoothly and on schedule.

This role is perfect for someone who has strong soft skills without being overly social—someone who knows when to focus on the work and when to connect with residents and team members.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and supervise all dietary staff, including scheduling, training, and performance management
• Create a restaurant-style dining experience that residents look forward to each day
• Work side-by-side with the kitchen team to ensure food quality, presentation, and timing
• Step out of the kitchen to connect with residents and families, gathering feedback on meals
• Handle special requests with professionalism—knowing when to accommodate and when to set expectations
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety
• Plan and execute special events, themed dinners, and catered functions
• Promote a culture of teamwork, pride, and accountability

The Ideal Candidate

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Have strong people skills, but know when it's time to focus on the work
• Take pride in the taste, presentation, and consistency of your food
• Work with a strong sense of urgency and ownership
• Are highly detail-oriented and rarely miss the small things
• Enjoy interacting with residents and hearing their feedback
• Can balance compassion with structure when handling special requests
• Lead by example and support your team wherever needed
• Believe that dining is one of the most important parts of a resident's day

Requirements

• Culinary degree preferred or equivalent experience
• Senior living experience preferred OR minimum 3 years as a chef in a restaurant, hotel, or similar setting
• 1–2 years of food service leadership experience
• Serve-Safe Certification required
• Allergy Awareness and anti-choking training required
• Demonstrated ability to train staff in proper cooking techniques and food presentation

Benefits

• PTO
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Care and Dependent Care FSA
• Paid Holidays and Floating Holiday
• Pet Health Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Retirement Account Assistance
• Employee Appreciation Programs

Our Culture

At Arbors/Ivy, dining is about more than meals—it's about connection, comfort, and trust. If you're a hands-on leader who takes pride in your food, supports your team, and believes in doing things the right way, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today and help create dining experiences residents truly look forward to.

Equal Opportunity Employer We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.