Dining Services Director

Merrill Gardens; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Daily meal per shift

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Pet insurance

Advance pay

Career advancement

Job summary

Merrill Gardens in Seattle is seeking a Dining Services Director to lead our dining operations for a senior living community. You will oversee food preparation, service, sanitation, budgeting, and team development to deliver exceptional experiences for residents.

Ideal candidates bring seven years of food service with at least two years in leadership, strong HACCP knowledge, and ServSafe certification. This role emphasizes hospitality, teamwork, and adherence to safety standards within a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or related field preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of food service experience and at least two years of leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, storage, and handling procedures.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain) and HACCP understanding.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of dining services operations, including food prep, service, sanitation, inventory, and budgeting.
• Create an exceptional dining experience that exceeds resident expectations for quality and service.
• Build strong relationships with residents and respond promptly to feedback and concerns.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop dining services team members.
• Manage staffing schedules and labor resources to support operations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and company standards.
• Oversee food and supply ordering while maintaining budget goals.
• Partner with culinary leadership to develop menus and programs reflecting resident preferences.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming dining environment for residents, guests, and staff.
• Support community events and foster hospitality and service excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Food safety

ServSafe

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's in Culinary Arts

Job description

Dining Services Director

Are you passionate about creating exceptional dining experiences for seniors? Do you enjoy leading teams, developing talent, and ensuring residents receive outstanding service every day? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you! We are currently accepting applications for a Dining Services Director to lead our culinary and dining operations within our beautiful Merrill Gardens Senior Living Community.

If you are a compassionate, organized, and service-driven leader who takes pride in hospitality, team development, and operational excellence, we would love the opportunity to speak with you.

Family means everything to us. From the communities we create to the connections we make with residents, everything we do is rooted in our history as a fifth-generation family business.

We build on that family with the people we hire and the teams they form. As a family company, we can do things differently and for the past 30 years our long-term commitment to team members has been unsurpassed.

We offer our full-time employees:

• Highly competitive pay and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance)
• Company-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off – holidays and vacation time
• Free daily meal every shift
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Tuition reimbursement for career growth
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Pet insurance and team member discounts
• Advance Pay benefit – access wages before payday
• A stable, growing company with opportunities for advancement

We offer our part-time employees:

• Free daily meal every shift.
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting!
• Company-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement for career growth.
• Pet insurance and team member discounts.
• Advance Pay benefit – access wages before payday.
• A stable, growing company with opportunities for advancement!

Our Dining Services Directors are responsible for:

• Leading all aspects of dining services operations, including food preparation, service, sanitation, inventory, and budgeting
• Creating an exceptional dining experience that exceeds resident expectations for quality, presentation, and service
• Building strong relationships with residents and responding promptly to feedback and concerns
• Hiring, training, coaching, and developing dining services team members
• Managing staffing schedules and labor resources to support operational needs
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and company standards
• Overseeing food and supply ordering while maintaining budget goals
• Partnering with culinary leadership to develop menus and dining programs that reflect resident preferences
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming dining environment for residents, guests, and team members
• Supporting community events and fostering a culture of hospitality and service excellence

If you are someone with:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate or bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or related field preferred
• Minimum of seven years of food service experience and at least two years of leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of food safety, storage, and handling procedures
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain) and understanding of HACCP requirements
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills
• Basic computer proficiency
• Ability to obtain and maintain required food handler certifications

Actual pay rate within stated pay range is determined based on relevant factors in compliance with state and local wage laws. This range reflects what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire.

Physical Requirements:

This role requires standing and walking for extended periods, lifting and carrying supplies, and working in a kitchen environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Consider applying to become a Dining Services Director with the Merrill Family of Senior Living Communities!

Yes, You Can have a meaningful Career!

Our mission is to provide an inspiring environment for our residents, families, and team members where every life is defined by the possibilities.

Merrill Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer