Head Chef & Kitchen Leader — Senior Living Dining

The W Group Mgmt; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Sick days

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Supportive team

Job summary

Sanford Manor, under The W Group Mgmt, seeks a Food Service Manager who is also Head Chef to drive daily kitchen operations in a senior living setting. You will cook alongside the team, set standards for taste and quality, and oversee dietary services aligned with therapeutic diets and DOH requirements.

In this hands-on leadership role, you will hire and train staff, manage menus, control portions and inventory, and ensure food safety while coordinating with administration to address resident

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience as a chef or cook in a leadership role, with food service management experience.
• Healthcare, assisted living, or adult home experience preferred.
• Strong cooking skills, including high-volume meal preparation.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic diets, food safety practices, and DOH dietary regulations.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification or NYC Food Protection Certificate required.
• Culinary degree or certificate a plus.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and hold a team accountable.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Head Chef, preparing and cooking meals daily and setting the standard for taste, quality, and presentation
• Develop cycle menus and recipes that meet residents’ nutritional needs, therapeutic diets, and NYS Department of Health requirements
• Accommodate special diets, texture modifications, allergies, and resident preferences
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise cooks, dietary aides, and kitchen staff
• Oversee food preparation, portion control, and meal service to ensure quality and timeliness
• Maintain sanitation, food safety, and equipment standards, and keep the kitchen survey ready at all times
• Order and receive food and supplies, manage inventory, and stay within budget
• Maintain required logs and records, including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and inspection documentation
• Partner with administration, case management, and care staff to address resident needs and feedback
• Participate in DOH inspections and implement corrective actions as needed

Skills

Leadership

High-volume cooking

Food safety

Staff management

Communication

Education

Culinary degree or certificate

Job description

Sanford Manor, under The W Group Mgmt, seeks a Food Service Manager who is also Head Chef to drive daily kitchen operations in a senior living setting. You will cook alongside the team, set standards for taste and quality, and oversee dietary services aligned with therapeutic diets and DOH requirements.

In this hands-on leadership role, you will hire and train staff, manage menus, control portions and inventory, and ensure food safety while coordinating with administration to address resident