Culinary Director

Clearwater Living; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

401(k) contributions

Paid Vacation and Sick leave

Exciting growth opportunities

Dynamic work environment

People‑first culture

Job summary

Clearwater Living is seeking a Culinary Director to lead the culinary team at our Ahwatukee community in Phoenix, AZ. The role oversees Cooks and Dishwashers, drives from-scratch menus using local ingredients, and upholds high standards of food quality and service for residents, guests, and staff.

This leadership position requires strong vision, budget oversight, safety compliance, and the ability to maintain timely, high‑quality meals in a fast-paced senior living environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality preferred.
• Combination of formal training from related culinary school and experience in overseeing restaurant and dining operations.
• Serve Safe certification preferred.
• First Aid Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Culinary department and manage staff.
• Supervise production, presentation and food costs; create a balanced rotating menu.
• Serve as liaison between guests, residents, and culinary staff with cross‑functional communication.
• Resolve resident complaints regarding food quality or service.
• Establish a Food Committee or survey residents to tailor menus to preferences.
• Ensure sanitary work environment and compliance with health codes and safety policies.
• Develop and implement policies to ensure timely food readiness and proper temperatures.
• Back up culinary staff when needed and ensure dining room cleanliness.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Food service operations

Training & development

Guest communication

Sanitation & safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality

Formal culinary training

Job description

Are you passionate about serving seniors? Do you want to be part of team that strives to create experiences that celebrate our seniors?

Clearwater Ahwatukee is a premier luxury senior living community in Phoenix, AZ and is looking for a Culinary Director to join the team!

Clearwater Living Associates Enjoy Great Benefits

• Excellent benefits
• 401(k)contributions
• Paid Vacation and Sick leave
• Exciting opportunities to grow
• Dynamic and fast paced environment
• Culture of people first and service always

The responsibilities of the Culinary Director are to lead and provide direction to Cooks and Dishwashers. We use the freshest, local ingredients made from scratch and prepare the finest foods of the highest quality and taste for residents, guests, and associates at the community.

If you are looking for a fast paced and exciting opportunity to lead a team in a new kitchen then look no further! A highly rewarding and challenging opportunity for a Culinary Director awaits you at our community. Join us in our endeavor to create experiences that celebrate your relevance.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan, develop, organize, schedule, evaluate, and direct the Culinary department
• Supervise the production, presentation and cost of food, and create a balanced rotating menu
• Serve as liaison between guests, residents and Culinary staff and be responsible for effective communication across all areas
• Resolve resident complaints regarding food quality and/or service
• Establish a Food Committee and/or survey and visit with residents regularly to determine resident special likes/dislikes and, as much as possible, resident preferences and requests
• Ensure a sanitary work environment and comply with all health and safety codes, state licensing regulations and policies and procedures regarding proper storage, handling and serving of food
• Develop and implement policies/processes to ensure that food is ready on time and proper temperature levels are met
• Backup Culinary staff in their job duties as needed
• Responsible for the cleanliness in dining room and ensure proper table settings at all timesRecruit, hire, train, motivate, and supervise department staff in accordance with all company policies, procedures, and core values
• Carry out required new hire training and ongoing skills training for associates and maintain appropriate documentation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or related education in Culinary Arts or Hospitality is preferred or combination of formal training from a related culinary or technical school and experience overseeing restaurant and dining operations
• Minimum eight to ten years of experience in food service
• Minimum five to seven years of supervisory experience to include hiring, training, and supervising staff and developing and managing a budget
• Serve Safe certification preferred
• First Aid Certification required
• Ability, licensure and willingness to drive the community vehicle as needed
• Background clearances as required by government regulations
• Must meet health requirements, including TB

Clearwater Living is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.