Dining Services Director

Dining Services Director / Food Service Director - Senior Living

Charter Senior Living of Mequon | Mequon, WI

Salary: $60,000-$65,000/year

Full-Time | Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM | Rotating Manager-on-Duty Schedule

ServSafe Certification Required | Previous Food Service Management Experience Required

Lead the Team. Maintain the Quality. Make Every Meal Matter.

Are you an experienced Dining Services Director, Food Service Director, Culinary Manager, or Executive Chef who knows how to lead people, maintain high standards, and create a positive working environment?

Do you enjoy coaching employees, organizing operations, and delivering an exceptional dining experience?

Charter Senior Living of Mequon is looking for a confident, hands-on Dining Services Director to lead our dining department!

We're looking for more than someone who knows how to run a kitchen.

We need a strong people leader who can develop employees, establish accountability, manage scheduling and ordering, and create a collaborative team environment while maintaining excellent food quality and resident satisfaction.

Our residents already enjoy the food and dining experience at Mequon. We want a leader who can build on that success, strengthen team relationships, and ensure the department operates smoothly and consistently.

If you're organized, dependable, experienced in food service management, and passionate about leading a successful team, we'd love to meet you!

Why Join Charter Senior Living of Mequon?

Established Community • Supportive Leadership • Strong Resident Relationships

Mequon offers a welcoming, close-knit environment where residents and associates know one another.

Our community has a friendly, collaborative leadership team, and residents consistently express satisfaction with the dining experience.

As our Dining Services Director, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead an established dining department.
• Build on positive resident feedback and existing food quality standards.
• Strengthen employee relationships and team performance.
• Establish clear expectations and consistent department processes.
• Take ownership of scheduling, ordering, and daily operations.
• Work alongside a supportive community leadership team.
• Develop a dining culture built on teamwork, accountability, and hospitality.
• Make a meaningful difference in residents' daily lives.

This is an opportunity to lead a team, strengthen operations, and maintain a dining experience residents already value.

The Three Things We're Looking For
1. Strong Team Leadership & People Management

You know how to lead employees with confidence, professionalism, and accountability.

You can coach team members, address performance concerns, resolve workplace disagreements, and create an environment where employees communicate respectfully and work together.

You lead by example and understand that a successful dining department starts with a strong team.
2. Operational Consistency & Accountability

You understand the importance of following established policies, procedures, food safety standards, and company expectations.

You're organized, dependable, and comfortable taking direction from community leadership while independently managing department responsibilities.

You establish clear expectations and follow through to ensure consistent results.
3. Scheduling, Ordering & Department Organization

You know how to manage the daily operational details that keep a dining department running smoothly.

From employee schedules and staffing coverage to food ordering, inventory, and budget management, you can balance multiple priorities while maintaining quality and service.

What You'll Be Responsible For
Dining Operations & Resident Experience

• Oversee daily kitchen and dining room operations.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, service, and hospitality.
• Ensure residents receive appealing, nutritious, and appropriately prepared meals.
• Monitor dining service and respond promptly to resident feedback.
• Maintain consistent meal preparation and service standards.
• Support menus that reflect resident preferences and dietary needs.
• Partner with community leadership and clinical staff regarding appropriate dietary accommodations.
• Maintain a welcoming, resident-focused dining environment.
• Support special meals, celebrations, and community dining events.

Team Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop dining services associates.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, professionalism, teamwork, and service.
• Create employee schedules and maintain appropriate staffing coverage.
• Train and support employees in their assigned responsibilities.
• Address performance concerns and workplace disagreements professionally.
• Promote respectful communication and positive team relationships.
• Provide consistent direction and follow-through.
• Foster accountability while maintaining a supportive working environment.
• Lead by example and assist with hands-on dining operations when needed.

Scheduling, Ordering & Financial Management

• Manage employee scheduling, staffing needs, and labor expenses.
• Coordinate food and supply ordering.
• Monitor inventory, food costs, purchasing, and waste.
• Maintain organized ordering and inventory processes.
• Work within established department budgets.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain appropriate staffing and supply levels to support consistent dining service.

Food Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen and dining environment.
• Monitor proper food storage, handling, preparation, and temperature controls.
• Train employees on sanitation and safe food-handling practices.
• Maintain appropriate food safety records and documentation.
• Follow established company policies and operational procedures.
• Support inspection readiness and address identified concerns promptly.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and operational needs as necessary.

Qualifications
Required

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in dining services, food service, culinary operations, or hospitality.
• ServSafe certification.
• Experience managing employee schedules and staffing coverage.
• Experience with food ordering, inventory, and department operations.
• Strong people-management and communication skills.
• Ability to coach employees and address workplace challenges professionally.
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and maintain department accountability.
• Willingness to participate in the rotating Manager-on-Duty schedule.
• Flexibility to work additional hours when operational needs require.

Preferred

• Previous Dining Services Director, Food Service Director, Executive Chef, or Culinary Manager experience.
• Assisted living, memory care, senior living, or healthcare dining experience.
• Experience managing food costs, labor budgets, and inventory.
• Experience improving team communication, accountability, or employee performance.
• Experience maintaining resident or guest satisfaction in a service-focused environment.
• Demonstrated history of dependable leadership and professional growth.

Senior living experience is preferred, but experienced food service leaders from hospitality, restaurants, and healthcare are encouraged to apply.

Who Will Thrive at Mequon?

We're looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience managing a dining or culinary team.
• Can lead employees with confidence, fairness, and professionalism.
• Knows how to build positive relationships and address conflict constructively.
• Is comfortable holding employees accountable.
• Understands the importance of following policies and procedures.
• Can manage schedules, ordering, and daily operational responsibilities.
• Is organized, dependable, and detail-oriented.
• Communicates clearly with employees and community leadership.
• Maintains high food quality and service standards.
• Takes ownership and follows through on commitments.
• Is willing to be hands-on when needed.
• Enjoys working in a smaller, relationship-focused community.
• Takes pride in providing residents with an excellent dining experience.

We want a leader who can bring the team together, maintain strong standards, and keep the dining department moving forward.

Compensation & Schedule

Annual Salary: $60,000-$65,000/year

Full-Time Leadership Position

• Primary schedule: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
• Rotating Manager-on-Duty schedule required
• Additional hours as operational needs require

Why Join Charter Senior Living?

Our mission is To Enhance the Human Spirit , and we believe every meal is an opportunity to create comfort, connection, and meaningful resident experiences.
We've Got You Covered

• Competitive annual salary
• Pay-on-Demand with ZayZoon
• Free medical insurance plan options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid training
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Supportive community and company leadership
• A friendly, relationship-focused work environment
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on residents and associates

Our Core Values

• Serve with Heart
• Serve with Purpose
• Serve with Courage
• Have Fun While Serving

Ready to Lead Dining Excellence at Mequon?

If you're an experienced dining services leader who brings strong people-management skills, organization, accountability, and a commitment to exceptional food and service , we want to hear from you!

Join Charter Senior Living of Mequon and help us continue providing a dining experience our residents enjoy while building a strong, collaborative team.

Apply today to become our next Dining Services Director!