Assistant Culinary Manager

State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Oklahoma is seeking an Assistant Culinary Manager for Norman Veterans Home in Norman, OK. The role leads the dietary team during a 5:00 AM–6:00 PM operation, ensuring high-quality dining experiences for veterans.

Responsibilities include directing kitchen staff, enforcing food safety and recipe adherence, and coordinating with nursing staff to meet resident dietary needs. This is a full-time on-site position with opportunities to impact daily dining excellence.

Qualifications

• ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification is required.
• Minimum 2 years of commercial kitchen supervisory experience; healthcare/LTC experience valued.
• Strong communication to direct a diverse kitchen crew and interact with nursing staff and veterans.

Responsibilities

• Provide shift leadership and quality control across daily operations.
• Direct cooks, prep staff, and dietary aides during 5:00 AM–6:00 PM service window.
• Taste plates for presentation, adherence to recipes, and holding temperatures.
• Supervise texture-modified diets (IDDSI) and therapeutic restrictions.
• Enforce cleanliness and HACCP, logs, and sanitation compliance.
• Train staff on culinary skills, portion control, and hospitality standards.
• Coordinate with nursing staff during meals for resident dietary changes.
• Resolve staff or resident dietary concerns on the floor.
• Maintain inventory, FIFO, and minimize food waste.

Skills

ServSafe certification

Kitchen supervision

Communication skills

Job description

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Job Posting Title

Assistant Culinary Manager

Agency

650 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Supervisory Organization

Norman Veterans Home

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

• $40,934.40 a year

Full Job Description

This position is for an Assistant Culinary Manager for the Norman Veterans Home. Norman Veterans Home 1776 E. Robinson St. Norman, OK 73071 Annual Salary: $40,934.40 The Assistant Culinary Manager provides hands-on, shift-level leadership within the dietary department. Functioning as the "Sous Chef" and shift supervisor, this role ensures the kitchen team successfully executes the Culinary Manager’s vision for a "5-star" veteran dining experience. You will oversee daily kitchen operations, team accountability, food safety, and dining room presentation for our 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM operation.

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• Food Safety: Current ServSafe® Food Protection Manager certification.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of commercial kitchen supervisory experience. High-volume restaurant shift management or healthcare/LTC experience is highly valued.
• Skills: Strong communication skills to direct a diverse kitchen crew and interact professionally with nursing staff, veterans, and families.

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

• Active Certified Dietary Manager (CDM®) or Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP®) credential (or active enrollment in an ANFP-approved program).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership & Quality Control
• Shift Command: Direct cooks, prep staff, and dietary aides during the daily 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM window to ensure on-time meal service.
• Line Checks: Actively taste and check plates for presentation, recipe adherence, and holding temperatures before service.
• Dietary Accuracy: Directly supervise the preparation of texture-modified diets (IDDSI) and therapeutic restrictions.
• Environment & Staff Accountability
• Cleanliness: Enforce master cleaning schedules across the kitchen, dish room, and dining areas to ensure pristine presentation.
• Training: Provide hands-on training to staff regarding culinary skills, portion control, and hospitality standards.
• Coordination & Problem Solving
• Floor Liaison: Coordinate directly with nursing staff during meals to manage resident dietary changes and tray delivery.
• Service Recovery: Act as the first point of contact on the floor to resolve staff or resident dietary concerns quickly.
• Regulations & Inventory
• Compliance: Enforce OSDH, CMS, and USDVA standards daily. Maintain accurate HACCP, cooling, and sanitation logs.
• 14-Hour Rule: Manage shift timing so no more than 14 hours pass between dinner and breakfast.
• Inventory: Supervise product receiving, minimize food waste, and enforce strict FIFO rotation.

Selection Process: "The Kitchen Audition"

• Stage 1: Interview covering leadership style, conflict resolution, and regulatory knowledge.
• Stage 2 (On-Site Audition): A paid shift where you will demonstrate technical culinary skills, direct a team through a live meal service, and complete a facility compliance walkthrough.

Preferred Education:

• 483.60

Preferred Certification:

• Active CDM, CFPP credential (or active enrollment) - OAC 310:675

Safety:

• Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager- Oklahoma Health Code

Experience:

• Shift Supervision & Culinary Team Leadership- Facility Standard

Surveys:

• Constant Readiness for USDVA / OSDH Surveys- 38 CFR Part 51

Physical Requirements

• Endurance & Agility: Stand/walk for 8+ hours in varying temperatures (freezers to hot lines).
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub .