Director of Culinary and Dining Services

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Culinary and Dining Services

Location: Longevity of Granite City

Build a Dining Program Residents Love...

Join a strong leadership team at a beautiful senior living community filled with wonderful residents and employees who truly care.

Longevity Senior Living is a growing, forward-thinking organization that invests in its communities, its employees, and the resident experience. Our leaders are supported by experienced partners in operations, culinary, clinical services, human resources, and finance.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a culinary department, develop a strong team, create memorable dining experiences, and make a visible impact every day.

Position Summary

The Director of Culinary and Dining Services leads all culinary and dining operations at the community. This position is responsible for providing residents and guests with enjoyable, nutritious, and high-quality dining experiences while meeting food safety, service, staffing, and budget expectations.

The Director oversees menu execution, food production, service, purchasing, inventory, scheduling, hiring, training, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys developing people, improving operations, and being present in both the kitchen and dining areas.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, coach, schedule, and develop front-of-house and back-of-house culinary employees.
• Create a positive department culture focused on teamwork, accountability, hospitality, and resident satisfaction.
• Execute regional menus, resident specials, celebrations, and community dining events.
• Meet regularly with residents to gather feedback and incorporate their preferences into menus and special events.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and train culinary employees.
• Ensure required company and state training is completed and properly documented.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, service, sanitation, and workplace safety.
• Manage food ordering, inventory, purchasing, waste, and department expenses.
• Monitor staffing and food costs to ensure the department operates within budget.
• Complete monthly spending reports and meet regularly with the Executive Director to review performance, needs, and upcoming events.
• Assist with annual budget planning and forecasting.
• Maintain compliance with applicable food-service, licensing, OSHA, and company requirements.
• Partner with corporate culinary leadership and other Culinary Directors to share ideas, improve operations, and reduce costs.
• Work alongside the team when needed, including cooking or serving during staffing shortages or high-volume events.
• Routinely observe breakfast, lunch, and dinner service for quality control.
• Work two weekends each month and additional varied shifts as operationally necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

• At least five years of progressive food-service experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibility.
• Experience with food purchasing, inventory, scheduling, staffing, and budget management.
• A hands-on leader who is comfortable working alongside the culinary team.
• Strong communication, organization, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, and applicable safety requirements.
• Experience using Excel and online food-ordering or inventory platforms.
• ServSafe certification preferred, or the ability to obtain all required food-safety certifications.
• Senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or high-volume dining experience is preferred.
• A degree in food service, hospitality management, culinary arts, or a related field is preferred but not required.

Benefits and Perks

• Medical insurance available for as little as $50 per pay period for eligible full-time employees
• Benefits begin the first of the month following the date of hire
• Medical plan options, including PPO and HSA-qualified plans
• Dental, vision, critical illness, accident insurance, HSA, and FSA options
• Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off and paid holidays
• Complimentary employee meal each workday
• Employee referral bonus program
• Ongoing leadership development and growth opportunities
• Support from experienced corporate and regional partners

Make Your Impact

We are looking for a leader who wants more than a title—someone who wants to build a strong team, create a dining experience residents look forward to, and grow with an organization committed to Doing It Better .

Apply today and help us create an exceptional dining experience at Longevity of Granite City.

Longevity Senior Living is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.