Food Service Coordinator

Arden Courts of Fair Oaks; Fair Oaks (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Arden Courts of Fair Oaks is seeking a Food Services Coordinator to lead a resident-centered dining program in our memory care community. You will oversee menus, diets, and special dining needs while delivering consistent, personalized experiences for residents.

Responsibilities include supervising the food service team, ensuring food safety, budgeting, inventory, and coordinating with Resident Services to adapt meals to changing appetites and nutritional needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have current Fairfax Count Food Handler Permit.
• Experience supervising, scheduling and developing food service employees.
• Experience following standardized recipes, menus, portion guidelines and production standards.
• Knowledge of special and therapeutic diets, food allergies, modified textures and other dietary requirements.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation and proper food handling.
• Experience with food ordering, inventory management, budgeting and waste control.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English with residents, families and team members.
• A genuine desire to work with and serve older adults, particularly individuals living with dementia.

Responsibilities

• Get to know our residents personally, including their favorite foods, dislikes, routines, cultural preferences and favorite snacks
• Ensure residents' prescribed diets, allergies, food restrictions and special dining needs are consistently followed
• Create a welcoming, enjoyable and resident-centered dining experience
• Prepare and oversee meals according to established menus and corporate standardized recipes, following recipes, portions and preparation methods consistently
• Ensure meals are appetizing, properly prepared and presented, and served at appropriate temperatures
• Adapt the dining experience to meet the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
• Lead, train, schedule and develop the food service team
• Maintain high standards for food safety, sanitation, kitchen cleanliness and regulatory compliance
• Manage food ordering, inventory, storage and waste while remaining within established budgets
• Monitor meal service and actively seek feedback from residents and staff
• Work collaboratively with the Resident Services team when residents experience changes in appetite, weight, swallowing ability or nutritional needs
• Support special events, holidays, celebrations and other opportunities to make dining meaningful for our residents

Skills

Consistency

Personalization

Supervising

Scheduling

Developing staff

Following recipes

Portion guidelines

Food safety

Sanitation

English communication

Dementia care understanding

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Fairfax County Food Handler Permit

Job description

What You'll Lead

As our Food Services Coordinator, you will:

• Get to know our residents personally, including their favorite foods, dislikes, routines, cultural preferences and favorite snacks
• Ensure residents' prescribed diets, allergies, food restrictions and special dining needs are consistently followed
• Create a welcoming, enjoyable and resident-centered dining experience
• Prepare and oversee meals according to established menus and corporate standardized recipes, following recipes, portions and preparation methods consistently
• Ensure meals are appetizing, properly prepared and presented, and served at appropriate temperatures
• Adapt the dining experience to meet the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
• Lead, train, schedule and develop the food service team
• Maintain high standards for food safety, sanitation, kitchen cleanliness and regulatory compliance
• Manage food ordering, inventory, storage and waste while remaining within established budgets
• Monitor meal service and actively seek feedback from residents and staff
• Work collaboratively with the Resident Services team when residents experience changes in appetite, weight, swallowing ability or nutritional needs
• Support special events, holidays, celebrations and other opportunities to make dining meaningful for our residents

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who understands that consistency and personalization are equally important.

You should be comfortable following established menus and recipes rather than creating your own menu or changing recipes independently. At the same time, you should want to know that Mrs. Smith loves scrambled eggs, Mr. Jones always wants coffee with breakfast, or that a resident who doesn't eat much at lunch will happily have their favorite sandwich or snack.

Required qualifications include:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must have current Fairfax Count Food Handler Permit
• Previous food service leadership experience in assisted living, memory care, senior living, healthcare or another institutional dining environment
• Experience supervising, scheduling and developing food service employees
• Experience following standardized recipes, menus, portion guidelines and production standards
• Knowledge of special and therapeutic diets, food allergies, modified textures and other dietary requirements
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation and proper food handling
• Experience with food ordering, inventory management, budgeting and waste control
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English with residents, families and team members
• A genuine desire to work with and serve older adults, particularly individuals living with dementia

The Leader We're Looking For

Our Food Services Coordinator should know what's happening in the kitchen and in the dining room.

We want someone who notices when a resident isn't eating, remembers someone's favorite dessert, talks with residents about what they enjoy, and helps make birthdays and holidays special.

At the same time, you understand the importance of consistency and accountability. Recipes are followed. Diets are followed. Food is prepared safely. The kitchen is clean. Staff are trained. Meals are served on time.

If you believe great food service is an important part of great resident care, we'd love to meet you.

Salay range for this position is $55,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, familial or marital status, genetics, or any other legally protected category. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a job with Arden Courts, please contact the listed posting contact.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace