Culinary Services Director - Avamere St. Helens

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living; Saint Helens (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

PTO & Holidays

EAP Canopy

HSA & FSA

Voluntary Insurance

Job summary

Avamere Living seeks a Culinary Services Director to lead dining operations in an assisted living and memory care community. You will manage kitchen staff, plan menus, control budgets, and ensure HACCP and health-safety compliance while addressing dietary needs for residents with cognitive challenges.

You will recruit, train, and supervise culinary staff, maintain high resident satisfaction, and coordinate special events and catering for the community.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in foodservice operations management, ideally in senior living, healthcare or hospitality.
• Degree in hospitality management, culinary arts, or business management.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) preferred.
• Strong leadership and budgeting skills; proficient in Microsoft Office and dining software.
• Commitment to HIPAA and privacy of resident information.

Responsibilities

• Develop rotating menus balancing resident preferences with nutrition and dietary needs.
• Manage budgets for food, supply and labor; oversee inventory and vendor relations.
• Oversee daily operations of culinary department, including hiring, training, and supervising staff.
• Ensure compliance with sanitation codes, HACCP and food safety standards across facilities.
• Lead staff development, scheduling, performance reviews, and team engagement.
• Coordinate events, catering, and themed dining to enhance community life.
• Serve as point of contact for staff, residents, and external vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Food safety

HIPAA compliance

CPR/BLS

Resident and staff communication

Education

Hospitality management degree or Culinary arts or Business management

CDM certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

POS software

Dining management software

Job description

Description:

Culinary Services Director

Status: Full-time

Location: Avamere at St. Helens - 2400 Gable Road, St. Helens, OR 97051

Job Summary

The Culinary Services Director in an assisted living and memory care community oversees all dining operations. They manage kitchen staff, plan nutritional menus, control budgets, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations. They also tailor meals for residents with specific dietary needs, including those experiencing cognitive decline.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Develop rotating menus that balance resident preferences with nutritional requirements. Adapt recipes for modified diets (e.g., pureed, low-sodium) and address individual food allergies or swallowing difficulties common in memory care. recipes for modified diets.
• Manage food, supply, and labor budgets. Oversee inventory control, vendor relationships, and daily production workflows.
• Oversee the management of daily operations of the culinary departments, including hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating staff.
• Maintain strict adherence to federal, state, and local sanitation and health codes. Ensure proper food temperatures, safe storage, and HACCP procedures across all facilities.
• Ensures the culinary department comply with all relevant codes, regulations, and company policies to provide a safe and comfortable environment for residents and staff.
• Recruit, train, and supervise culinary and dining staff. Conduct performance reviews, manage schedules, and foster a supportive, hospitality-driven workplace.
• Oversee all food production, dining room operations, and resident meal deliveries while maintaining operational and financial efficiency.
• Manage food and supply budgets, inventory levels, purchasing, and vendor relationships.
• Maintain strict adherence to local, state, and federal health department regulations, including sanitation, food storage, and safety protocols.
• Ability to create a high-quality dining experience and handle resident feedback effectively.
• On-call staffing responsibilities after hours and weekends as needed.
• Regularly engage with residents and families through meetings or feedback loops to ensure high satisfaction. Coordinate special events, catering functions, and themed dining nights to enrich community life.
• Serve as a point of contact for staff, residents, and external vendors regarding culinary issues.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience of foodservice operations management, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality.
• Prefer Degree in hospitality management, culinary arts, or business management.
• Preferred Certified Dietary Manager (CDM).
• Strong leadership, financial management (budgeting), and proficiency in Microsoft Office, with experience in POS or dining management software.
• Ability to manage high-volume production and complex scheduling.
• Strong working knowledge of senior nutrition, therapeutic diets, and food safety standards.
• Food safety certification and Food Handler State Card required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
• Must maintain and have an active CPR/BLS during employment.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. Low individual and family deductible. - Benefits eligible at 30+ hours/week.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with discretionary employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Premium Pay for Holidays worked, conditions apply
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Canopy: Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) options and CERA (Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account)
• Voluntary & Supplemental Insurance Options: Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability, plus Whole Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Services.

Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.