Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)

Socket.dev; Ordway (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Certified Dietary Manager to lead the Food and Nutrition Services for residents in Colorado. This hands-on leadership role directs menus, staffing, budget, food safety, and survey readiness. Collaboration with the Registered Dietitian ensures accurate diet orders and textures.

You will hire, train, and evaluate staff while maintaining HACCP standards and resident satisfaction. Candidate must hold a CDM credential or be actively enrolled; ServSafe or equivalent

Qualifications

• Plans, organizes and directs all operations of the Food and Nutrition Services department.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Collaborates with Registered Dietitian on menus and texture modifications.
• Manages staffing, budgets, ordering, and food cost control.
• Maintains sanitation and HACCP standards and survey readiness.
• Interviews residents for preferences and monitors intake and weight changes.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the department and ensure meals meet regulatory standards.
• Oversee hiring, scheduling and performance evaluation of kitchen staff.
• Manage supply purchasing, inventory, and cost control.
• Lead monthly in-services and coordinate with nursing and administration.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budgeting & cost control

Food safety leadership

CMS dietary regulations knowledge

Texture modification knowledge

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Education

CDM credential or active enrollment (ANFP) with Colorado timeframe

Job description

We are looking for a Certified Dietary Manager to lead food and nutrition services for our residents. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in a clean, compliant, well-run kitchen and who understands that mealtime is one of the best parts of a resident's day. You will own the department end to end: menus, staffing, budget, food safety, and survey readiness.

What you'll do

• Plan, organize, and direct all operations of the Food and Nutrition Services department in line with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Build and approve regular and therapeutic menus with the Registered Dietitian, and make sure diet orders and texture modifications are executed accurately at every meal.
• Hire, schedule, train, and evaluate cooks and dietary aides, and manage labor hours to budget.
• Run purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory, and food cost control.
• Hold the department to sanitation, food safety, and HACCP standards, lead it through state survey, and correct any deficiencies.
• Interview residents about food preferences, respond to concerns, and adjust service accordingly.
• Document nutrition care in the resident record, including intake monitoring and weight change follow-up.
• Lead monthly in-services and department meetings, and partner closely with nursing, activities, and administration.

What you'll bring

• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential through ANFP, or current enrollment with certification obtainable within the timeframe Colorado requires.
• ServSafe or an equivalent food protection manager certification.
• Two or more years supervising food service, preferably in long-term care, a hospital, or another institutional setting.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic diets, IDDSI texture modification, and CMS dietary regulations.
• Experience with budgeting, purchasing, and food cost control.
• Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Ability to pass a background check and meet state health screening requirements.

Helpful, not required

• Prior experience taking a skilled nursing facility through state survey.
• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Associate degree in nutrition, food service management, or a related field.