Interim Food Service Director - Assisted Living

Job Description

Job Description

Compensation: (pay rate or salary range)

We are seeking an experienced and resident-focused Food Service Director to lead our Dining Services department.

In this role, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the community’s dining program, including menu planning, food quality, staffing, sanitation, budgeting, purchasing, resident satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who understands that dining is a major part of the resident experience and can balance hospitality, food safety, team leadership, and operational discipline.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee all daily Dining Services operations
• Lead, supervise, schedule, and support cooks, servers, dishwashers, and other dining team members
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and meet quality, presentation, and temperature standards
• Plan and maintain menus that support resident preferences, nutritional needs, and dietary requirements
• Coordinate with nursing and Wellness teams regarding resident diets, allergies, texture modifications, and other dining needs
• Monitor resident satisfaction and respond promptly to dining concerns or feedback
• Develop and implement special menus, holiday meals, and resident dining events
• Maintain appropriate food inventory and control ordering, receiving, storage, and rotation of supplies
• Manage food and labor costs within established budget expectations
• Review invoices, purchasing activity, and vendor performance
• Maintain accurate records related to food service operations, sanitation, inventory, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure proper food storage, labeling, dating, preparation, and handling practices
• Maintain compliance with food safety, sanitation, infection-control, and workplace-safety requirements
• Perform regular kitchen, dining room, storage, and equipment inspections
• Ensure kitchen and dining areas are clean, safe, organized, and well maintained
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and repairs as needed
• Recruit, interview, train, coach, and develop Dining Services team members
• Conduct orientation, ongoing training, and competency reviews
• Address attendance, performance, and conduct concerns in partnership with community leadership
• Promote strong teamwork between Dining Services and other community departments
• Support resident events, marketing events, tours, and community programs involving food service
• Participate in leadership meetings and provide updates on dining operations, staffing, resident satisfaction, and budget performance
• Maintain resident privacy, dignity, preferences, and confidentiality
• Complete additional duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

• Previous food service management experience in assisted living, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, or institutional dining
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, food safety, and kitchen operations
• Experience supervising and scheduling employees
• Ability to manage food cost, labor cost, inventory, purchasing, and budgeting
• Strong leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance hospitality and customer service with operational expectations
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with residents, families, employees, vendors, and community leadership
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbally and in writing, as required to manage staff, understand dietary instructions, maintain documentation, and respond during emergencies
• Experience working with older adults is preferred
• Experience with modified diets, allergies, texture-modified foods, or healthcare dining is preferred
• Comfortable using basic computer systems, scheduling tools, email, and purchasing or food-service software
• Dependable attendance and ability to respond to operational needs when required
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and remain active throughout the workday
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to (physical requirement) pounds
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks, health screenings, and employment requirements

Food Safety and Certification Requirements

• Must maintain all food-safety certifications required by the state, local jurisdiction, and community
• ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent is preferred and may be required based on applicable regulations
• Must ensure Dining Services staff complete all required food-safety, sanitation, allergen, infection-control, and workplace-safety training
• Must maintain required inspection, sanitation, temperature, cleaning, and food-storage records
• Must remain current on applicable health department and assisted living food-service requirements

Benefits

• Medical insurance for eligible employees
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off for eligible employees
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Employee referral program
• Paid training
• Retention incentives
• Flexible scheduling where available
• Supportive and team-oriented work environment
• Meaningful work serving older adults

Dining is an important part of the resident experience. We are looking for a Food Service Director who takes pride in building a strong team, maintaining high standards, and creating meals and dining experiences residents genuinely enjoy.

Apply today to join our leadership team.

We are an equal opportunity employer.