Culinary Services Director

Autumn View Gardens Creve Coeur; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision/Dental/Life Insurance

HSA with Company Match

Flexible Spending Account

403(b) Plan

Paid Vacation

Personal, Sick and Holidays

Paid Volunteer Program

Total Care EAP

Job summary

Bethesda Senior Living Communities is seeking a temporary Culinary Services Director to lead the kitchen team and ensure high-quality meals and service for residents. The role emphasizes staffing, training, and performance management, with a focus on compliance and resident satisfaction.

This position is full-time and requires overseeing menu planning, purchasing, sanitation, and budget adherence while maintaining a positive dining experience for all residents.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma with additional education or training in resident care including nutritional monitoring and basic food service management.
• Experience in culinary operations or food service management in a senior living or healthcare setting preferred.
• Ability to lift and move items up to 50 pounds; comfortable in a busy kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations of the culinary services department with focus on quality, service, safety, and resident satisfaction.
• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate culinary staff; manage performance and staffing schedules.
• Oversee menu planning, food purchasing, inventory, sanitation, and cost controls within budget guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health codes, and MSDS guidelines; liaise with residents and departments.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Staff management

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Culinary Services Director (Temporary)We are currently seeking a Culinary Services Director to join our team. This position is temporary at this time, with the potential to become a permanent role in the future based on business needs.Schedule: Monday through Friday, with weekends required as needed for special events and occasional department coverage.The Culinary Services Director is responsible for the overall daily operation of the Culinary Services Department. This role provides leadership and oversight to the culinary team, ensuring exceptional customer service, high-quality meal preparation, attractive plate presentation, and timely service to residents. The Director is responsible for staffing, training, and performance management of department team members while maintaining compliance with company standards and promoting a positive dining experience for all residents.Benefits Include:Medical Insurance - HDHP or PPO (Full-time employees only)Vision/Dental/Life Insurance (Full-time employees only)Health Savings Account with Company Match (Full-time employees only)Flexible Spending AccountCompany matching 403(b) PlanPaid VacationPersonal, Sick and HolidaysPaid Volunteer ProgramTotal Care EAP (Employee Assistance Program)Wages on DemandThese benefits may be reduced depending on FT, PT, PRN or temporary job status. To receive certain benefits, eligible employees may be required to meet participation requirements and pay required premiums and other contributions.Bethesda Senior Living Communities reserves the right to pay a wage/salary that is lower or higher than the above posted compensation range.Essential FunctionsReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Creates, plans, and implements all functions of the culinary services department in cooperation with the Executive Director.Establishes and maintains high standards of menu planning, food purchasing, storage, preparation, service, sanitation, and maintains an adequate stock of all necessary items.Follows budgetary guidelines and looks for ways to improve food costs without compromising on quality and customer service.Prepares invoices for payment.Recruits, interviews, hires, evaluates, coaches, and terminates employees following community procedures.Orients, trains, and supervises all culinary services personnel so that they may do their jobs effectively.Conducts in-service education to culinary services staff and to health services staff as required and as needed.Interviews residents regarding menu likes and dislikes and evaluates nutritional changes on an ongoing basis.Meets stock truck and checks on deliveries.Makes modifications in quantity and content of meals to accommodate food preferences and/or requirements of residents.Maintains accurate and adequate staffing schedule; covers shifts resulting from call-offs.Establishes, revises, and maintains current job duties sheets as needed for all culinary services employees.Maintains a positive customer service relationship practicing honesty and integrity in all aspects of job performance.Establishes and maintains a safe, clean, and healthy environment following all state, federal, local and community policies and procedures and laws for culinary services departments.Represents Culinary Services Department at community meetings and Resident Council meetings listening to suggestions and following up as appropriate. Passes information to other department staff maintaining a positive flow of communication.Is familiar with all chemicals and handles them in a safe manner according to policies and procedures and MSDS.Maintains confidentiality of residents personal information in and out of the community and protects and supports residents rights.Maintains a professional appearance by dressing in required dress protocol and ensures all staff is professionally attired in appropriate uniforms.Maintains a professional demeanor that encourages a positive nurturing environment for the residents, families, vendors, and guests.Maintains a positive customer service environment and practices honesty and integrity in all aspects of performance.Managerial Breadth/Scope of JobDirect supervision of all culinary services staff.Knowledge/Skills/AbilitiesMust be knowledgeable of and skilled in operation of all kitchen equipment.Must have excellent organizational, motivational, and leadership skills.Must possess a genuine compassion for the elderly and disabled.Must be able to work independently without direct supervision by following all community policies and procedures and guidelines using good judgment and common sense.Maintains a positive, pleasant manner at all times realizing that work environment can be stressful and demanding. Must be able to manage stress in a constructive manner seeking assistance of Administrator as needed.Must maintain a current drivers license and comply with all requirements of Bethesda's Auto Policy.Demonstrates a SERVANT heart and attitude by following the Bethesda Senior Living Communities Mission Statement.Education/ExperiencePosition requires high school graduation or equivalent with additional education or training in appropriate techniques of resident care including nutritional monitoring and assessment, general nutrition, food production and service, sanitation and safety, and management. Has appropriate health certificate as required by local, state, and federal health departments.Working Environment/Physical RequirementsWork environment is a restaurant style kitchen containing heat, steam, and cold temperatures. Duties and activities are fast paced, following strict scheduled time frames. Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 20 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally and perform full range reaching abilities. Must be able to read and follow directions and recipes. Position requires stirring, sifting, cutting, slicing, reaching, bending, standing for long periods of time, and ambulating from kitchen to dining room carrying trays, plates, silverware, and accessories.