Director of Dining Services - FT

Bluestem Communities Management; North Newton (KS); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Payactiv: Early access to earned wages

Paid Time Off and holidays

Job summary

Bluestem Communities Management's Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, KS, is seeking a full-time Director of Dining Services to lead our dining program and culinary team.

The role oversees budgeting, menu planning, procurement, HACCP compliance, and resident nutrition plans, while managing staff performance and ensuring safe, high‑quality service for residents.

Candidates should have CDM certification or be willing to obtain it, with leadership experience and weekend availability.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• CDM/CFPP certification or plan to complete CDM within first year.
• Prefer 1-year supervisory experience in institutional settings.
• Must work weekends and some holidays.
• CDM membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage dining services staff, hire, train, and schedule.
• Oversee budgeting, policies, sanitation, equipment maintenance.
• Menu planning, procurement, HACCP compliance, nutrition plans.
• Support residents and families with clear communication.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Customer service

Education

Some College

CDM/CFPP preferred or CDM within 1 year

Tools

Industrial kitchen equipment

Job description

Level: Management, Job Location: Kidron Bethel Village - North Newton, KS 67117, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Some College, Preferred Salary Range: $70,000.00, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Restaurant - Food Service

Director of Dining Services (Full-Time)

Kidron Bethel Village is looking for a full-time Director of Dining Services to join our team!

Benefits

Health and insurance

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical & childcare available)
• AFLAC products
• Voluntary life insurance

Financial wellness

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Gradifi student loan payment program
• Payactiv: Early access to earned wages

Company-paid benefits

• Group term life and AD&D insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time off and perks

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and six (6) paid holidays
• Bluestem Wellness Center membership
• Meal discounts at our dining locations

Position Overview

The Dining Services Director will manage dining services staff, hiring, training, scheduling, and performance while ensuring timely, high‑quality departmental operations. The DSD oversees budgeting, policies, sanitation, equipment maintenance, billing, and quality assurance. Responsibilities include menu planning, food procurement, safe preparation, HACCP compliance, and meeting residents’ nutritional needs through assessments, diet plans, and documentation. It also supports residents and families through clear communication, responds to feedback, and performs culinary duties when required.

Essential Job Functions

Management of Staff

• Interview, hire, supervise, and develop culinary team members.
• Ensure that staff is adequately oriented and trained.
• Determine departmental staffing needs and oversee work schedules and assignments to meet those needs.
• Hold staff accountable to all assigned duties and actions. Use coaching methods to address concerns in a respectful manner. Collaborate with staff to find a solution.
• Ensure staff have access to resources needed to meet professional and organizational goals.
• Oversee the completion of payroll in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ensure that work in the department is completed according to agreed timeline and quality standards.

Management of Department

• Plan department budget and manage within annual approved amounts.
• Develop and maintain written policies and procedures as necessary.
• Monitor and follow up on cleanliness and sanitation.
• Ensure that kitchen and equipment is well‑maintained and cleaned properly.
• Perform audit on all cleaning logs on a regular basis.
• Oversee and code billing records on a consistent basis.
• Represent department’s interests at regular or special meetings.
• Attend department meetings as needed and give input regarding area of expertise.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for the department.
• Accomplish specific departmental objectives as agreed upon with supervisor.

Food Preparation and oversight

• Develop menus following each venue’s needs, requirements and requests.
• Actively work with Food Vendor on procurement and production of foods.
• Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained to perform daily tasks.
• Follow ordering procedures and place orders in a timely fashion.
• Ensure food is cooked according to menus, recipes, diet cards and ensure it is ready at the proper time.
• Ensure HACCP standards for preparing, handling, serving, and storing food are followed.
• Prepare food and perform other kitchen duties, as necessary.
• Assess and implement residents’ special nutritional requirements and requests.
• Assist in developing residents’ nutritional Plan of Care.
• Review therapeutic and regular diet plans and menus and ensure they are following physicians’ orders.
• Complete necessary paperwork, such as diet assessments, diet histories, and MDS assessments.
• Ensure that staff understand and adhere to residents’ nutritional needs as specified on their diet cards.
• Chart residents’ nutritional information as required and remain alert to residents’ changing nutritional and health concerns.

Customer Service

• Understand residents’ nutritional needs and explain to family.
• Answer questions and offer information to meet residents’ needs.
• Listen to and act appropriately on suggestions given by staff and co-workers.
• May be required to perform any and all culinary duties as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)/(CFPP) or complete the CDM designation within first year of employment.
• Prefer one-year supervisory experience in an institutional setting with an understanding of how to use industrial kitchen equipment.
• Prefer Dietary Managers Association membership.
• Must be able to work weekends and some holidays.

Physical Requirements

Light Work – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls.