cook

Discovery Senior Living; Lehigh Acres (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Wellness benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Discovery Senior Living is seeking a Director of Culinary Services in Lehigh Acres, FL. You will provide strategic oversight and hands‑on leadership of the Culinary Services Department to deliver high‑quality dining experiences while maintaining operational excellence.

The role involves menu planning, staff development, safety compliance, and budget management, with a focus on resident satisfaction and adherence to dietary guidelines. Join a company committed to Great Place to Work values.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 years of culinary leadership in high-volume, high-standard environments.
• Hands‑on experience leading kitchen operations, including cooking and staff oversight.
• Food Safety Certification required.
• Strong knowledge of sanitation, food handling, and loss prevention practices.
• Culinary training or certification preferred.
• Experience with menu engineering, cost controls, and vendor management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and kitchen management systems.
• Experience in senior living culinary services is a plus—but only if paired with demonstrated high service standards.
• Ability to work in kitchen environments.
• Oversight of food safety audits and inspections.
• Exposure to high-pressure operational deadlines.
• Ability to lift or assist with kitchen operations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary operations while participating in meal preparation and service.
• Plan and execute menus that meet resident dietary guidelines and preferences.
• Monitor food quality, consistency, and presentation; implement improvements as needed.
• Ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, and dietary standards.
• Conduct food safety audits and quality assurance checks.
• Purchasing, inventory control, and vendor contracts.
• Manage budgets, monitor costs, and take corrective action when needed.
• Manage, recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate culinary staff.
• Lead orientation and in‑service training programs for team members.
• Engage with residents during mealtimes to ensure satisfaction and resolve concerns.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and department heads to align food services with community goals.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Staff leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Budget management

Vendor management

Microsoft Office

Kitchen management systems

Problem solving

Education

Culinary training or certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Kitchen management systems

Job description

About Discovery Management Group

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation’s most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing.

About Discovery Management Group

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation’s most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing.

As part of one of the largest senior living families in the U.S., our communities have earned Great Place to Work certifications from 2022-2027. At Discovery Management Group, purpose guides our work, culture fuels our success, and growth defines our future. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members’ professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career.

Discover Your Purpose with Us at Lehigh Acres!

As Director of Culinary Services, you’ll play an essential role in enriching the lives of seniors, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference every single day.

Your Role

As the Director of Culinary Services, your role includes providing both strategic oversight and hands‑on leadership of the Culinary Services Department. This includes responsibility for menu planning, staffing, food quality, safety, and budget performance. You’ll play a vital role in resident satisfaction by creating memorable dining experiences while ensuring operational excellence.

Position Highlights

• Status: FULL TIME
• Schedule: Traditional leadership workweek with flexibility required based on business and operational needs that includes Manager on Duty hours as well as on call for emergency situations
• Location: Lehigh Acres, FL
• Rate of Pay: TBD
• Travel: None

Why You’ll Love This Community

You will love this community for its warm, home-like atmosphere. The close-knit environment makes it easy to get to know the residents and understand their unique preferences and needs.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily culinary operations while participating in meal preparation and service
• Plan and execute menus that meet resident dietary guidelines and preferences
• Monitor food quality, consistency, and presentation; implement improvements as needed
• Ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, and dietary standards
• Conduct food safety audits and quality assurance checks
• Purchasing, inventory control, and vendor contracts
• Manage budgets, monitor costs, and take corrective action when needed
• Manage, recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate culinary staff
• Lead orientation and in‑service training programs for team members
• Engage with residents during mealtimes to ensure satisfaction and resolve concerns
• Collaborate with Executive Director and department heads to align food services with community goals

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 years of culinary leadership in high-volume, high-standard environments
• Hands‑on experience leading kitchen operations, including cooking and staff oversight
• Food Safety Certification required
• Strong knowledge of sanitation, food handling, and loss prevention practices
• Culinary training or certification preferred
• Experience with menu engineering, cost controls, and vendor management
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and kitchen management systems
• Experience in senior living culinary services is a plus—but only if paired with demonstrated high service standards
• Ability to work in kitchen environments
• Oversight of food safety audits and inspections
• Exposure to high-pressure operational deadlines
• Ability to lift or assist with kitchen operations as needed
• [Insert if applicable: Participation in rotating on‑call schedule or Manager on Duty (MOD) responsibilities required]

Why Join Us

Discovery Senior Living Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2027!

A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It’s just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never‑ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far‑reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members.

Find out what makes working at Discovery unique in the world of senior living. Discover Your Purpose!

Our Culture & Values

So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we’re unified by certain, core values, which we call our “Pillars of Excellence.” They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY.

Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.

Benefits You’ll Enjoy

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive pay, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) with employer match, paid training and career growth opportunities, wellness‑related benefits, and additional support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/V

A Note to Applicants

This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case‑by‑case basis.

Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.

Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening

Discovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state‑mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint‑based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access.

Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state‑specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members.

Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.

JOB CODE: 1009406