Food Services Manager

About LIFE Pittsburgh LIFE Pittsburgh is a community-based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living. Through the PACE model, we help frail older adults remain safely and meaningfully in their homes by coordinating care across Day Health Centers, in-home support, transportation, meals, therapies, and medical services. Food service is part of the care model, not only a meal operation. It supports nutrition, health, comfort, social connection, and the ability of Participants to remain in the community. Every support service role contributes to Participant dignity, independence, safety, and access to care. We believe phenomenal care can only come from phenomenal people, and that conviction guides how we hire, develop, and support every member of our team. What We Offer Rich Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, and Vision 401(k) with Company Match, vested immediately. Life Insurance Want to further your education? We offer Tuition Reimbursement! Paid Time Off – Grows every pay period and rolls over into new year! Job Summary The Food Services Manager leads food service, kitchen operations, and dining support across all LIFE Pittsburgh centers. The role ensures meals are safe, appropriate, timely, appealing, and served in accordance with food safety requirements, diet orders, and LIFE Pittsburgh's PACE philosophy of care. The manager leads dietary staff, coordinates with Center Administrators and the interdisciplinary team, maintains reliable kitchen and dining operations, and ensures therapeutic and texture-modified diets are executed as ordered. The manager leads with clear standards, visible support, staff accountability, and respect for Participant choice, dignity, and safety. Scope Boundary This role manages food service delivery: menu production, cooking, serving, sanitation, and food safety. Clinical nutrition, therapeutic diet orders, and nutritional care planning are the responsibility of the Registered Dietitian, who reports through the Director of PACE Services and the interdisciplinary team. This position does not supervise or direct the Registered Dietitian. It coordinates with the Registered Dietitian the same as with any other interdisciplinary team member and executes the diet orders and nutrition plans they provide. Essential Functions Kitchen, Dining, and Meal Service Operations Oversee daily food service and kitchen operations across assigned LIFE Pittsburgh centers. Ensure meal preparation, service, storage, sanitation, labeling, temperatures, and documentation meet LIFE Pittsburgh standards and applicable food safety requirements. Support reliable center dining, take-home meals, grocery shopping support, and other meal-related service workflows as assigned. Monitor meal quality, timeliness, portioning, presentation, and Participant feedback, then follow through on needed corrections. Work with center leadership so dining operations support Participant dignity, safe access to meals, and appropriate assistance during meal service. Diet Order Execution and Care Coordination Ensure meals are prepared and served in accordance with Participant diet orders, therapeutic diets, texture modifications, allergies, and service notes as specified by the Registered Dietitian and clinical team. Ensure dietary staff understand and follow Participant-specific meal instructions, diet orders, service notes, and escalation pathways. Coordinate with the interdisciplinary team, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Center Administrators, and the Registered Dietitian when eating, swallowing, hydration, appetite, or meal tolerance concerns are observed or reported, and elevate promptly. Reinforce that dining and meal service protect Participant safety, dignity, privacy, preferences, and independence whenever possible. Menu Production, Food Purchasing, and Resource Stewardship Collaborate in menu planning led by the Registered Dietitian, contributing product, purchasing, and operational knowledge, and maintain the resulting production and cycle menus and recipes so they support operational reliability, food safety, and responsible resource use. Nutritional adequacy and therapeutic diet specifications are owned and approved by the Registered Dietitian. Coordinate food purchasing, inventory controls, vendor communication, and supply planning to support reliable meal service and minimize waste. Monitor food cost, supply use, staffing needs, and budget performance. Provide variance explanations and recommended corrective action when needed. Identify opportunities to improve quality, reduce avoidable waste, and strengthen consistency across centers. Staff Leadership and Training Build a phenomenal team by hiring for character and skill, developing people to their potential, and holding a high bar for service, because phenomenal care can only come from phenomenal people. Supervise, coach, train, and support dietary staff with consistency, fairness, and accountability. Assist with orientation, competency development, ongoing training, scheduling support, performance documentation, and corrective action in coordination with Human Resources and the appropriate leader. Identify individual and department training needs related to food safety, meal service, Participant interaction, documentation, sanitation, equipment use, and escalation. Model professional, participant-centered communication with Participants, families, staff, vendors, and leaders. Quality, Compliance Support, and Reporting Collaborate with Quality, Compliance, center leadership, Nursing, Rehabilitation, and other departments to support survey readiness, quality monitoring, and performance improvement. Maintain accurate and complete food service, training, temperature, sanitation, menu, and purchasing documentation. Identify trends, repeat issues, root causes, Participant concerns, staff barriers, equipment concerns, and service risks, and recommend practical corrective action. Support LIFE Pittsburgh policies, confidentiality expectations, infection-control practices, Participant rights, and documentation standards. Working Conditions Works in LIFE Pittsburgh Adult Day Health Centers, kitchens, dining areas, Participant service areas, offices, and other settings where food service or meal support is required. May travel among LIFE Pittsburgh locations and occasionally to other community or healthcare settings. May be exposed to heat, cold, wet surfaces, cleaning agents, food allergens, kitchen equipment, odors, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, communicable conditions, and other risks common to healthcare-adjacent and food service environments. Must follow universal precautions, food safety practices, sanitation expectations, and LIFE Pittsburgh infection-control practices. Requires frequent interaction with Participants who may be frail, ill, disabled, cognitively impaired, emotionally upset, confused, or in need of assistance. Requirements Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Strong understanding of food service operations, food safety and sanitation, menu production, kitchen management, and participant-centered meal service. Working knowledge of therapeutic and texture-modified diets sufficient to execute diet orders accurately and train staff to do the same. Ability to lead professional and non-professional staff with clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and respect. Ability to work effectively with Participants, caregivers, dietary staff, Center Administrators, interdisciplinary team members, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Quality, Compliance, Purchasing, vendors, and leadership. Ability to assess operational problems, identify root causes, document findings, and recommend practical corrective action. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to relate to and work respectfully with frail older adults, including Participants who may be ill, disabled, cognitively impaired, emotionally upset, confused, or distressed. Required Certification / License Certified Food Protection Manager (ServSafe Manager or equivalent) required, or obtained within 60 days of hire. Valid driver's license required. Proof of automobile insurance required. Education / Experience High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in food service management, hospitality, culinary arts, nutrition, or a related field preferred. Minimum three years of food service management or supervisory experience, preferably in healthcare, long-term care, senior living, institutional, or high-volume food service. Working knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and therapeutic and texture-modified diet execution required. Experience working with and relating to geriatric populations and family members preferred. Registered Dietitian credential or a clinical nutrition background is helpful but not required. #J-18808-Ljbffr