Lead Cook for Assisted Living Community

Mountain Springs Assisted Living Community; Spirit Lake (ID); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health insurance options

Retirement savings plan options

Wellness-focused benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Mountain Springs Assisted Living Community in Idaho is seeking a full-time Lead Cook to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, coordinate meal preparation, and lead staff scheduling and training to ensure residents receive consistent, high-quality meals.

You will develop weekly menus meeting dietary needs, manage grocery purchases and inventory, supervise sanitation and safety, and mentor kitchen staff to uphold service standards in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a kitchen setting.
• Ability to create and manage weekly menus.
• Experience with grocery purchasing and inventory tracking.
• Experience scheduling staff shifts.
• Ability to train and mentor kitchen staff with professionalism.
• Strong communication in a team environment.
• Reliable time management in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and basic sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly menus aligned with dietary needs and meal service goals.
• Plan meal prep needs and coordinate food preparation for scheduled service times.
• Support grocery shopping and inventory tracking to ensure availability.
• Schedule kitchen staff shifts and assist with coverage for smooth operations.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to uphold quality and service standards.
• Oversee kitchen organization, cleanliness, and safe food handling practices.
• Monitor inventory and reduce waste through accurate ordering and planning.
• Coordinate with team to ensure timely meal service and workflow.
• Maintain records related to food preparation and kitchen activities.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Inventory control

Staff scheduling

Training others

Communication

Time management

Food safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Lead Cook for Assisted Living Community

About the Role

Mountain Springs Assisted Living Community a 24 bed community is seeking a full-time Lead Cook to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and help ensure residents receive consistent, high-quality meals. This role supports the dietary team by coordinating meal preparation, maintaining kitchen readiness, and leading staff scheduling and training.

Success in this position means delivering well-planned weekly menus, supporting reliable purchasing and inventory practices, and creating a kitchen environment where team members feel prepared and confident to serve with care and consistency.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly menus that align with dietary needs and meal service goals.
• Plan meal prep needs and coordinate food preparation to support scheduled service times.
• Perform or support grocery shopping by selecting appropriate items, tracking needs, and ensuring availability.
• Schedule kitchen staff shifts and assist with coverage to support smooth operations.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to support consistent meal quality and service standards.
• Oversee kitchen organization, cleanliness, and safe food handling practices.
• Monitor inventory usage and help reduce waste through accurate ordering and preparation planning.
• Coordinate with team members to ensure timely meal service and effective workflow.
• Maintain accurate records related to food preparation, supplies, and kitchen activities as required.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance processes and teamwork.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (or comparable experience).
• 1+ years of experience in a kitchen or food service role, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Proven ability to create and manage weekly menus.
• Experience with grocery purchasing and inventory awareness.
• Experience scheduling or coordinating staff shifts (preferred).
• Knowledge of safe food handling and basic sanitation practices.
• Comfort using standard kitchen tools and systems used for food service planning and tracking.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to train others in a respectful, inclusive way.
• Reliable time management and the ability to stay organized in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to follow established procedures while maintaining consistent meal quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay: $20–$25 per hour (based on experience and qualifications).
• Full-time schedule with opportunities for stable, ongoing work.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays (where applicable).
• Health insurance options (where available).
• Retirement savings plan options (where available).
• Wellness-focused benefits and programs (where available).
• Professional development opportunities and growth within the kitchen team.