Lead Cook

Lead Cook

Join our team as a Lead Cook and lead a dedicated kitchen team in delivering exceptional dining experiences for our residents. Youll oversee all aspects of the Culinary Department, from menu planning and food preparation to staff training and administrative operations, ensuring quality, safety, and resident satisfaction every day. If you have a passion for culinary excellence, leadership experience, and a commitment to serving the elderly, this is the role for you.

What Youll Do

• Supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff.
• Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and semi-annual).
• Plan menus to minimize waste, prepare food, serve meals, and maintain quality presentation.
• Cook up to 4 days per week and develop changes to the full-service Anytime menu.
• Maintain food storage, rotation, inventory of kitchen equipment, food, and supplies; perform annual inventories.
• Order food and supplies as needed, keeping within budget guidelines and performing cost analysis.
• Ensure proper sanitation practices, safety procedures, and compliance with all regulatory standards, including HIPAA.
• Enforce company dress code, PPE usage, and food safety standards.
• Assist with emergency response, including fire alarms and resident calls for urgent assistance.
• Fill in for Cooks or Culinary Assistants as needed and support the safety team and community committees.
• Report unsafe conditions and follow all Policies & Procedures and Community regulations.

What Were Looking For

• Strong communication, listening, and organizational skills.
• Experience in cooking for large groups and developing diverse menus.
• Supervisory and problem-solving abilities with decision-making and goal-setting skills.
• Positive, professional demeanor with a commitment to serving the elderly.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience managing staff in a culinary or hospitality setting.
• Preferred: Culinary Arts degree and two years of related culinary or hospitality experience.

Required Education & Certifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Approved Food Service Certificate per state requirements (if applicable).
• Knowledge of culinary service management.

The Perks That Matter:

• Competitive salary and bonus opportunities
• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) with match
• Paid time off and flexible hours
• Employee assistance program and on-demand pay
• Career growth in a fast-growing company

About Jaybird Senior Living

We provide seniors with the exceptional care they deserve, in an extraordinary living environment. Our communities offer seniors the freedom to enjoy each day as they see fit, with the right level of care and support; helping them approach life with renewed confidence and purpose.

Since 2004, weve created a culture where our staff can innovate and grow while our residents thrive and their families enjoy peace of mind.

The Minnesota Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires employers in the state of Minnesota to disclose the following information. If the position applied to is not located in Minnesota, the following information may not apply. The base range represents the low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of our total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, we provide a variety of benefits to employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, disability insurance, 401(k) with match, paid time off (PTO), Flexible hours for better work-life balance, Employee assistance program, on-demand pay.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local laws.