Director of Culinary Services - Elevating Healthcare Dining

Forefront; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Pet insurance

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Forefront is dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary and support services within a healthcare environment. The Director Culinary Services provides strategic leadership over all dining programs, balancing food quality, safety, and financial performance while developing high-performing teams across residential dining, retail, and catering.

The role partners with leadership to drive program growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance the dining experience for residents and clients in a

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives.
• Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities.
• Lead openings, renovations, and concept changes when applicable.
• Occasional travel for company meetings by car and/or plane may be required.

Job description

Forefront is dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary and support services within a healthcare environment. The Director Culinary Services provides strategic leadership over all dining programs, balancing food quality, safety, and financial performance while developing high-performing teams across residential dining, retail, and catering.

The role partners with leadership to drive program growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance the dining experience for residents and clients in a