Food Service Manager

SarniaCareers; Sarnia; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SarniaCareers in Sarnia, Ontario is seeking a dedicated Food Service Manager to lead our culinary team and oversee the daily operations of the Food Services Department at our Seniors Living Home.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on culinary leadership with strong budgeting, menu planning and staff development to deliver nutritious, appealing meals with hospitality and resident satisfaction, while ensuring food safety, timely service and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience managing food services in senior living, retirement living or healthcare.
• Strong leadership and staff development abilities.
• Proficiency with budgeting, inventory and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Food Services Department with high quality food production and service.
• Provide hands-on culinary leadership, mentoring and training to the team.
• Recruit, orient, train, schedule and manage staff, including performance appraisals.
• Coordinate with care team to meet residents' dietary needs and texture modifications.
• Monitor front-of-house operations to ensure timely service and hospitality standards.
• Manage food and supply budgets, inventories and purchasing procedures.
• Prepare monthly food cost reports and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation and WHMIS regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Budget management

Food safety

Menu planning

Communication

Education

Red Seal Certification

Cook Level 1 or higher

Food Handler Certification

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Food Service Manager to lead our culinary team and oversee the daily operations of our Food Services Department at our Seniors Living Home in Sarnia, Ontario.

The ideal candidate is a passionate food service professional with strong culinary and leadership skills who is committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious and appealing meals, exceptional hospitality and a positive dining experience for our residents. This individual will take a hands-on approach to leadership, team development, food quality, budget management and operational excellence in a supportive, people-first environment.

Qualifications

• Oversee the daily operations of the Food Services Department, ensuring high-quality food production, efficient kitchen operations and timely meal service.
• Create a superior dining experience by providing a variety of nutritious, appealing and flavourful meals with a strong focus on hospitality and resident satisfaction.
• Provide hands-on culinary leadership, mentoring, training and operational support to the culinary team to ensure consistent food quality and service standards.
• Supervise, lead and support all Food Services Team Members, fostering teamwork, accountability and a positive working environment.
• Recruit, orient, train, schedule and manage team members, including completing performance appraisals and supporting staff development.
• Work collaboratively with the appropriate care team members to ensure residents' individual diets, texture modifications and nutritional supplements are followed as required.
• Monitor front-of-house and dining room operations to ensure meals are served on time and established hospitality and service standards are consistently maintained.
• Manage the food and supply budget by following standardized menus and recipes, monitoring portion sizes, minimizing waste and spoilage, and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
• Oversee food and dietary supply purchasing, maintaining appropriate inventory levels to meet daily operational requirements and following established purchasing procedures.
• Complete computerized month-end inventories, monitor inventory accuracy and investigate discrepancies.
• Prepare and submit monthly food cost reports and other departmental reports accurately and on time.
• Maintain accurate records relating to food costs, purchasing, inventory, equipment, supplies, and departmental budgets.
• Participate in Resident Food Council meetings and gather feedback from residents to improve menus, meal quality and the overall dining experience.
• Respond professionally to concerns and feedback from residents, families, Substitute Decision Makers and team members.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance food quality, service delivery, resident satisfaction and departmental efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, public health, sanitation, workplace health and safety, WHMIS and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Monitor food handling practices, food temperatures, cleaning schedules and required departmental documentation.
• Promote a safe working environment by following established safety procedures, reporting unsafe conditions and participating in required training and in-services.
• Direct the activities of the Food Services Department in the absence of supervisory staff to ensure continuity of high-quality, efficient service.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous food service management or supervisory experience, preferably in a hospitality, retirement living or health care setting.
• Previous cooking experience, with strong culinary skills and an understanding of food quality, preparation techniques and presentation.
• Red Seal Certification preferred for Chef and Manager positions.
• Cook Level 1 Certificate or higher preferred.
• Valid Food Handler Certification or equivalent, such as SafeCheck or FoodSafe, as required by applicable regulations.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, workplace health and safety, WHMIS and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Experience with standardized recipes, purchasing, inventory control and food cost management.
• Strong leadership, team-building, coaching and staff development skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work professionally with residents, families, Substitute Decision Makers, team members and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong computer skills, including the ability to complete inventory, reporting and other administrative tasks using computerized systems.
• A current, satisfactory criminal record check, as required for the position.

Additional Information

If you love the food industry but are looking for a healthier work-life balance, this position offers consistent daytime hours, a supportive team culture and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Chef or culinary professional who is ready to take the next step in their career, move away from the late nights and demanding schedules of traditional restaurant settings, and enjoy a more stable schedule in a collaborative, community-focused workplace.

While our Applicant Tracking System uses some AI-enhanced tools, every decision throughout screening, assessing, and selecting candidates is made by real people on our team.

This posting is for an upcoming vacancy.