Dining Services Director

Memory Care; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Memory Care in Overland Park, Kansas, seeks a Dining Services Director to lead its dining operations. This hands-on culinary leader will oversee kitchen staff, menus, resident nutrition, and regulatory compliance while collaborating with care teams to enhance resident experience.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, budgeting, and regulatory knowledge, plus experience in senior living. You will plan menus, manage costs, ensure food safety and high-quality service in a warm,

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in Dining Services management.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food handling and kitchen operations.
• Ability to develop nutritious menus with accommodations for special dietary needs.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations.
• Ability to understand budgets and financial information related to Dining Services operations.
• Senior living or healthcare experience is a plus.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read, write, and follow written and verbal instructions in English.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct the community's food program, food preparation, and culinary activities.
• Remain hands-on in the kitchen, including meals for catered or special events.
• Manage the daily operations of the kitchen and Dining Services department.
• Hire, train, coach, supervise, and develop Dining Services team members.
• Manage staffing levels, training records, and required departmental documentation.
• Develop and modify menus to address resident preferences, nutritional needs, and special diets.
• Estimate food requirements and monitor food and labor costs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen and Dining Services environment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local food service and senior living requirements.
• Monitor and document temperatures for refrigerators, freezers, foods, and water.
• Maintain weekly and daily menus and share with residents and stakeholders.
• Participate in Dining Services and resident meetings, document feedback, and implement changes.
• Prepare a proposed annual departmental budget and monitor performance against the budget.
• Review departmental policies and procedures and recommend improvements.
• Maintain relationships with health departments and community agencies.
• Evaluate the Dining Services environment, equipment, and operations and coordinate repairs or replacements.
• Participate in quality assurance initiatives with data collection and evaluations.
• Represent the community at meetings and activities as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Dining Services management

Leadership

Food handling

Budgeting

English communication

Job description

Dining Services Director – Memory Care

About the Opportunity

A respected senior living community specializing in memory care is seeking an experienced Dining Services Director to lead its Dining Services department. Our community is guided by a commitment to engaging, protecting, and caring for individuals living with memory loss while providing families with peace of mind.

We are looking for a hands‑on culinary leader who can balance kitchen operations, food preparation, team leadership, resident satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and financial management. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys leading a team while remaining actively involved in day‑to‑day culinary operations.

Position Summary

The Dining Services Director is responsible for the efficient operation of the Dining Services department. This role directs and supervises dining staff, oversees food preparation and kitchen operations, maintains quality and safety standards, and ensures appropriate follow‑through on departmental responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and direct the community's food program, food preparation, and culinary activities.

• Remain hands‑on in the kitchen, including preparing meals and food for catered or special events.

• Manage the daily operations of the kitchen and Dining Services department.

• Hire, train, coach, supervise, and develop Dining Services team members.

• Manage staffing levels, employee responsibilities, training records, and required departmental documentation.

• Develop and modify menus to maintain quality standards while addressing resident preferences, nutritional needs, and special diets.

• Estimate food requirements and monitor food and labor costs.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen and Dining Services environment.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local food service and senior living requirements.

• Monitor and document refrigerator, freezer, food, and water temperatures.

• Maintain weekly and daily menus and ensure they are available to residents and appropriate stakeholders.

• Participate in Dining Services and resident meetings, document feedback, and follow through on appropriate changes.

• Prepare a proposed annual departmental budget and monitor performance against the approved budget.

• Review departmental policies and procedures and recommend improvements when appropriate.

• Maintain positive working relationships with applicable health departments and community agencies.

• Regularly evaluate the Dining Services environment, equipment, and operations and coordinate necessary repairs or replacements.

• Participate in quality assurance initiatives, including collecting data and providing written evaluations of results.

• Represent the community at meetings and community activities as requested.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in Dining Services management and/or food service delivery.

• Supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

• Strong knowledge of food handling and kitchen operations.

• Ability to develop nutritious menus, including accommodations for special dietary needs.

• Knowledge of applicable personnel practices and federal and state regulations.

• Ability to understand budgets and financial information related to Dining Services operations.

• Senior living, assisted living, memory care, healthcare, or similar experience is a plus.

• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to read, write, and follow written and verbal instructions in English.

Certification & Clearance

• ServSafe certification or an applicable state‑approved food safety/food handling certification.

• Ability to meet legally required criminal background clearance requirements.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a memory care community while leading a department that plays an important role in residents' quality of life. The right candidate will have the opportunity to combine culinary expertise with leadership, hospitality, and service in an environment centered on dignity, safety, and compassionate care.