Certified Dietary Manager

Nutrition Therapy Essentials; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Nutrition Therapy Essentials, based in San Jose, CA, seeks an experienced Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) with strong culinary skills to lead the daily operations of our Food and Nutrition Services Department. You will mentor kitchen staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and create high-quality meals aligned with therapeutic diets.

Responsibilities include overseeing food production, menu execution, HACCP, CMS compliance, and collaboration with the Registered Dietitian to meet resident

Qualifications

• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential required.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or required within established timeframe.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of dietary management experience in healthcare or long-term care.
• Strong culinary background with scratch cooking, recipe development, and large-volume meal production.
• Knowledge of therapeutic diets, texture modifications, and food allergies.
• Understanding of CMS regulations and food safety standards (Title 22 CA preferred).
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with dietary software and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of the dietary department including food production, meal service, sanitation, and staffing.
• Lead and mentor dietary staff through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Prepare and supervise high-quality meals that meet nutritional standards.
• Collaborate with the Registered Dietitian to ensure therapeutic diets are accurately prepared and served.
• Maintain compliance with CMS and health department regulations; HACCP practices.
• Develop standardized recipes and ensure portion control and food quality.
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, and budget while minimizing waste.
• Plan and coordinate special meals and resident-centered dining programs.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching & training

Culinary expertise

Nutrition knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Menu planning

Therapeutic diets knowledge

Education

Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential

Tools

Dietary software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description Nutrition Therapy Essentials (NTE), based in San Jose, CA, is a specialized nutrition and dietetics organization founded in 2012 by Suzanne Ousey, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience. NTE is a team of passionate RDNs who partner with healthcare communities to improve resident outcomes through individualized nutrition care and optimized food service operations. The organization uniquely trains dietetic interns in long-term care settings by pairing them with experienced RDNs, creating a strong professional network committed to "changing lives one meal at a time." NTE provides a wide range of consulting services, including medical nutrition therapy, quality assurance, menu enhancement, dietary services development, and on-call dietitian coverage. In addition, NTE offers community-focused programs such as grocery tours, weight management classes, corporate wellness, K-12 nutrition education, cooking classes, and private counseling to meet diverse nutrition and food service needs.

Role Description Job Title: Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) - Culinary Focus

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) with exceptional culinary skills to lead the daily operations of our Food and Nutrition Services Department. The ideal candidate is passionate about preparing high-quality meals, mentoring kitchen staff, maintaining regulatory compliance, and creating an outstanding dining experience for our residents and patients.

This position combines strong leadership, food service management, menu execution, and hands‑on culinary expertise to ensure safe, nutritious, and appealing meals that meet therapeutic diet requirements.

• Oversee the daily operation of the dietary department, including food production, meal service, sanitation, and staffing.
• Lead and mentor dietary staff through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Prepare and supervise high-quality meals that are visually appealing and meet nutritional standards.
• Utilize strong culinary techniques to improve flavor, presentation, and resident satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the Registered Dietitian to ensure therapeutic diets are accurately prepared and served.
• Maintain compliance with CMS, state, local health department, and food safety regulations.
• Develop standardized recipes and ensure consistent food quality and portion control.
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, and budget while minimizing waste.
• Ensure proper HACCP procedures, temperature monitoring, sanitation practices, and infection prevention standards are followed.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
• Conduct routine kitchen inspections and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Assist with survey readiness and respond effectively during regulatory inspections.
• Plan and coordinate special meals, holiday events, and resident-centered dining programs.
• Foster a positive dining culture focused on excellent customer service and resident choice.

Qualifications

• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential required.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or required within established timeframe.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of dietary management experience in healthcare, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, behavioral health, or long-term care.
• Strong culinary background with experience in scratch cooking, recipe development, food presentation, and large-volume meal production.
• Knowledge of therapeutic diets, texture modifications, and food allergies.
• Thorough understanding of CMS regulations, Title 22 (California preferred), sanitation, HACCP, and food safety standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with dietary software and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Skills

• Passion for creating restaurant-quality meals in a healthcare environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and team-building abilities.
• Ability to train and inspire culinary staff.
• Strong understanding of resident satisfaction initiatives and person-centered dining.
• Experience improving food quality, reducing waste, and increasing operational efficiency.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and fast-paced kitchen environments.