Food Service Director

Western States Lodging and Management; Layton (UT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary $75k-$80k

401(k) match 4%

Hotel discounts

Health insurance + HSA

PTO & Vacation

Job summary

Western States Lodging and Management in Utah is seeking a Food Services Director to provide strategic leadership over dining operations, elevate resident satisfaction, and uphold hospitality and well-being. You will lead culinary teams, manage budgeting and procurement, ensure food safety and regulatory compliance, and partner with leadership to align dining with community goals.

This role offers a competitive salary, 401(k) match, health benefits, and growth opportunities in a senior living

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in culinary arts, food service management, hospitality management, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in food service management with leadership experience.
• Experience in assisted living, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or similar environments.
• Strong executive leadership and team management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of food service operations, culinary management, and hospitality practices.
• Budgeting, financial analysis, procurement, inventory, and cost control experience.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain certification as required.
• Genuine commitment to serving and working respectfully with an elderly population.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all food service and dining operations.
• Lead, manage, and develop culinary and dining teams while establishing a culture of accountability, hospitality, and excellence.
• Establish and implement policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote consistent, high-quality food service.
• Oversee daily culinary operations while ensuring food quality, presentation, service, and resident satisfaction.
• Develop and implement strategies that enhance the overall dining experience and respond to resident preferences and feedback.
• Oversee department budgeting, financial performance, procurement, inventory management, and cost-control initiatives.
• Analyze food service expenses and operational performance to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and financial results.
• Establish purchasing and inventory practices that balance food quality, availability, waste reduction, and budgetary goals.
• Ensure food service operations comply with applicable regulatory, health, sanitation, safety, and infection control requirements.
• Partner with the Executive Director and other department leaders to align dining operations with overall community goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, families, associates, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Support special events, community programming, and other initiatives that enhance resident engagement and satisfaction.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging best practices to continuously improve culinary operations and dining services.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Team Development

Budgeting & Cost Control

Food Safety & Sanitation

Customer Service

Communication

Regulatory Compliance

Staff Training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food service management, hospitality management, or related field

Job description

Food Services Director | Lead the Vision. Elevate the Experience.

At Western States Lodging and Management, exceptional dining is an essential part of exceptional senior living. We’re looking for an experienced Food Services Director to provide strategic leadership over our culinary and dining operations while creating a dining experience that promotes resident satisfaction, quality, hospitality, and well-being.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned food service leader who can think strategically, develop high-performing teams, manage financial performance, and elevate the overall dining experience for residents and their families.

What’s in it for you- Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Pay - $75,000 - 80,000 annually.
• The starting rate is based on experience and qualifications. This position participates in our compensation program, which provides opportunities for future pay growth based on performance and career development.
• 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 4%
• Hotel discounts at select Western States Lodging & Management properties

Eligible full-time associates are entitled to the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans plus Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Optional supplemental benefits, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and other coverage options.
• Personal Time Off (PTO) and Vacation benefits

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all food service and dining operations.
• Lead, manage, and develop culinary and dining teams while establishing a culture of accountability, hospitality, and excellence.
• Establish and implement policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote consistent, high-quality food service.
• Oversee daily culinary operations while ensuring food quality, presentation, service, and resident satisfaction remain at the highest standards.
• Develop and implement strategies that enhance the overall dining experience and respond to resident preferences and feedback.
• Oversee department budgeting, financial performance, procurement, inventory management, and cost-control initiatives.
• Analyze food service expenses and operational performance to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and financial results.
• Establish purchasing and inventory practices that balance food quality, availability, waste reduction, and budgetary goals.
• Ensure food service operations comply with applicable regulatory, health, sanitation, safety, and infection control requirements.
• Partner with the Executive Director and other department leaders to align dining operations with overall community goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, families, associates, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Support special events, community programming, and other initiatives that enhance resident engagement and satisfaction.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging best practices to continuously improve culinary operations and dining services.

What Makes You Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food service management, hospitality management, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in food service management with significant leadership experience.
• Experience managing food service operations in an assisted living, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or similar environment preferred.
• Strong executive leadership and team management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of food service operations, culinary management, and hospitality practices.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial analysis, procurement, inventory, and cost control.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain certification as required.
• Genuine commitment to serving and working respectfully with an elderly population.

The dining operation is viewed as a defining strength of the community. Residents are satisfied with the quality, variety, and service of their dining experience, while culinary and dining teams are engaged, accountable, and aligned with the department’s vision. Financial goals are consistently achieved, purchasing and inventory are well managed, regulatory standards are maintained, and the food service operation continually evolves to meet the needs and expectations of residents and the community.

Why Join Western States Lodging & Management?

Western States Lodging & Management is a leading property management company with a diverse portfolio that includes nationally recognized hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, Legacy Senior Living communities, and Nxt multifamily apartment communities throughout the western United States.

Our mission is simple: Serving You Like Family. That commitment extends beyond our guests and residents—it defines how we treat our associates and business partners. We believe that great people build great communities, which is why we invest in our team through meaningful work, ongoing professional development, and opportunities for long-term career growth. At Western States Lodging & Management, we encourage every team member to serve as an Ambassador of our values, a trusted Consultant who brings knowledge and solutions, a Collaborator who builds strong relationships through teamwork, and a Coach who is passionate and empowers others to learn, grow, and succeed.

Whether you're launching your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a workplace where your contributions are valued, your ideas are welcomed, and your potential is supported every step of the way.