Kitchen Manager in Training & Cook — Leadership Path

ISH Dining Services; Christiana (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on training in dietary Dept.

Advancement to Dietary Manager / Food,

Job summary

ISH Dining Services is seeking a motivated Manager-in-Training/Cook for a long-term care facility. This hands-on role blends kitchen operations with leadership development as you assist with supervising dietary operations, meal prep, and food-safety standards to ensure nutritious meals for residents.

You’ll learn scheduling, inventory, and cost-control while supporting dietary staff and guiding cooks and aides through daily tasks in a team-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Previous cooking or food-service experience required; healthcare, senior living, or long-term care preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work hands-on in a commercial kitchen.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow recipes, menus, dietary instructions, and food-safety procedures.
• Must complete any required background checks, health screenings, and facility onboarding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals according to menus, recipes, portion sizes, and dietary requirements.
• Follow modified diets and special meal instructions as directed by nursing and dietary leadership.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served at the proper temperature and on schedule.
• Assist with food preparation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen, food preparation areas, equipment, and storage areas.
• Label, date, store, and rotate food products.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, appearance, taste, and portion control.
• Minimize food waste while maintaining resident satisfaction.
• Learn and assist with daily management of dietary/kitchen operations.
• Assist with scheduling, assigning duties, and coordinating dietary staff.
• Provide direction and support to cooks, dietary aides, and other kitchen employees.
• Help train new dietary employees on kitchen procedures, food safety, sanitation, and facility policies.
• Assist with monitoring employee performance and addressing operational concerns.
• Learn ordering, inventory management, receiving, and food-cost control procedures.
• Maintain adequate food and supply inventory.
• Help ensure kitchen operates efficiently during busy meal periods.
• Communicate with nursing, administration, residents, families, and other departments.

Skills

Cooking & food prep

Team leadership

Food safety & sanitation

Communication

Time management

Job description

ISH Dining Services is seeking a motivated Manager-in-Training/Cook for a long-term care facility. This hands-on role blends kitchen operations with leadership development as you assist with supervising dietary operations, meal prep, and food-safety standards to ensure nutritious meals for residents.

You’ll learn scheduling, inventory, and cost-control while supporting dietary staff and guiding cooks and aides through daily tasks in a team-focused environment.