Executive Chef / Culinary Services Director

Sonida Senior Living; Fitchburg (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

PTO from day one

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with discretionary match

Employee Assistance Program

Dependent Care & Flexible Spending

Paid training

Education & professional development

Referral programs

Job summary

The Waterford at Fitchburg, part of Sonida Senior Living, seeks a Culinary Services Director to lead dining operations for residents and staff. You will supervise and develop the culinary team, drive a restaurant-style dining experience, and ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You will cook daily, manage budgeting and inventory, coordinate with nursing, and build partnerships with residents to deliver personalized dining experiences. Join a supportive, hospitality-driven team.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of leadership in executive chef, kitchen manager or culinary director roles in senior living, hotel, or restaurant settings.
• Associate degree or higher in Culinary Arts, Food Science or Hospitality Management or Certified Executive Chef (CEC, ACF).
• ServeSafe Certification or Certified Dining Manager (CDM) credentials are preferred.
• Passion for quality food and hospitality with strong leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and direct activities of the Culinary Services Department and staff.
• Ensure food service standards, safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Provide highest quality dining experiences for residents.
• Coordinate with nursing staff to meet residents' needs.
• Order supplies and maintain inventory; verify orders.
• Maintain budget and control food costs.
• Cook daily in the kitchen and lead by example.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Team coaching

Culinary leadership

Education

Culinary degree or certification

Tools

ServeSafe Certification

CDM Certification

Job description

A Different Kind of Culinary Career

Cook for people, not tickets. Lead a team. Create memorable experiences. Help us redefine senior living dining—and still have a life outside the kitchen! Bring your culinary passion to The Waterford at Fitchburg, a Sonida Senior Living community in Fitchburg, WI, where great food, hospitality and relationships come together. If you're ready for a different kind of culinary career—one where you can lead a team, create memorable dining experiences, build meaningful relationships and still have a life outside the kitchen—we'd love to meet you.

At The Waterford at Fitchburg, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Enjoy no late-night restaurant hours — kitchen service typically wraps up by 7–8 p.m., with an evening cook providing coverage.
• Help create a more restaurant-style, hospitality-driven dining experience for our residents.
• Bring your creativity to menus, special events and themed dining experiences.
• Lead, coach and develop a culinary team.
• Build relationships with the people you serve and learn their individual preferences.
• Enjoy a more predictable schedule and better work-life balance than traditional restaurant kitchens.
• Work in an environment where great food and great hospitality truly matter.

About The Waterford At Fitchburg

The Waterford at Fitchburg is a premier senior living community in Fitchburg, WI, serving residents in Independent and Assisted Living. We believe dining should be about more than simply serving a meal. We're working to create a restaurant-style dining experience that feels personal, welcoming and worthy of celebration. Here, you're not cooking for a ticket number. You're cooking for people.

Culinary Services Director Responsibilities

• Manage, plan and direct the activities of the Culinary Services Department, including supervising and developing dining services staff.
• Ensure food service standards, policies, procedures, equipment, systems and work areas meet quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Provide the highest quality food service experience for residents.
• Coordinate closely with nursing staff, as needed, to ensure residents' needs are consistently met.
• Order all supplies and maintain inventory control.
• Verify orders received, ensuring needed goods are on hand.
• Ensure budgetary guidelines are achieved and food costs are effectively managed.
• Cook daily in the kitchen and lead by example.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• PTO available from day one
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with discretionary company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dependent Care and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid training
• Educational and professional development opportunities
• Team Member and Resident referral programs

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience as an Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager or Culinary Director in a restaurant, hotel, SNF or senior living environment.
• Associate degree or higher in Culinary Arts, Food Science or Hospitality Management OR Certified Executive Chef (CEC, ACF).
• ServeSafe Certification or Certified Dining Manager (CDM).
• Passion for quality food, hospitality and creating exceptional dining experiences.
• Strong leadership, communication and organizational skills.

Ready for a different kind of culinary career?

Cook for people, not tickets. Lead a team. Create memorable experiences. Help us redefine senior living dining—and still have a life outside the kitchen.

Join The Waterford at Fitchburg and bring your passion for food and hospitality to the table.

Equal Opportunity Employer