Director Culinary Services-DCS

Forefront; Sidney (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life

Job summary

Forefront is seeking a Director of Culinary Services to lead all culinary operations in our healthcare dining programs, including residential dining, retail, and catering. You will drive menu innovation, quality, safety, and financial performance while building high-performing teams.

This exempt, salaried role requires strategic leadership, regulatory compliance, staff development, and collaboration with senior leadership to deliver exceptional resident and client meals and experiences.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in culinary operations within healthcare or large-scale dining environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, labor, and food costs.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and regulatory standards (ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA).

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events.
• Ensure high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus and resident-driven programs.
• Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards; drive culinary innovation.
• Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance; manage budgets and purchasing strategies.
• Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline staff; build bench strength and training programs.
• Ensure full compliance with health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards; lead sanitation and audits.
• Partner with residents and leadership to drive satisfaction; participate in feedback sessions; represent Forefront professionally.
• Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives; support events and community activities.

Job description

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. As a member of our team, you play an important role in maintaining a clean, safe, and comfortable environment in a healthcare setting. Guided by our core values Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, you help support healing and well-being for those we serve. If you take pride in your work and enjoy making a difference each day, we would love to have you on our team.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Supportive Culture: Work alongside a team that values respect, teamwork, and doing the job right
• Growth Opportunities: On-the-job training and opportunities to learn new skills
• Competitive Benefits: Full-time team members are eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and more

The Director Culinary Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all culinary and dining programs, ensuring exceptional food quality, hospitality-driven service, and strong financial performance. This role is responsible for menu innovation, regulatory compliance, client and resident satisfaction, and the development of high-performing teams across multiple service lines, including residential dining, retail, and catering.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Functions And Duties

Culinary Leadership & Quality

• Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus, resident-driven programs, and special dining events.
• Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards at all times.
• Champion innovation, resident engagement, and culinary experience enhancement.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and purchasing strategies.
• Implement inventory controls, ordering systems, and waste reduction programs.
• Deliver financial results aligned with contractual and company targets.
• Partner with the General Manager and Regional leadership on performance strategy.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams.
• Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline culinary staff.
• Build strong bench strength, succession planning, and training programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action when needed.

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards.
• Lead kitchen sanitation, food safety, and inspection readiness at all times.
• Maintain documentation, training logs, and audit readiness.
• Drive a strong culture of food safety and workplace safety.

Resident / Client Experience

• Partner with residents, patients, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction.
• Participate in resident councils, food committees, tastings, and feedback sessions.
• Respond proactively to concerns and continuously improve the dining experience.
• Represent Forefront and the culinary program in a highly professional manner.

Program & Concept Execution

• Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives.
• Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities.

Lead openings, renovations, and concept changes when applicable.

Travel

Occasional travel for company meetings by car and/or plane may be required

General Responsibility As Required For Position

• Responsible for acting in conformance with all facility and departmental policies and procedures including those relating to Human Resources, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Health and Safety regulations, Compliance requirements, Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and HIPAA. Responsible for acting in conformance with accrediting agency standards.
• Attends department meetings as required.
• Demonstrates accountability to accept responsibility for personal/professional growth and any required certification/licenses, if applicable.
• Completes mandatory training and competencies annually.

AAP/EEO Statement

Forefront will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, height, weight, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, military service, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other protected class in its hiring practices, conditions for transfer or promotion, policies, discipline, discharge, terms, conditions or benefits of employment.

Other Duties As Assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, tasks, responsibilities, and activities may change from time to time.