Regional Chef

WesleyLife; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

WesleyLife in Des Moines, IA is seeking an experienced Regional Chef to provide culinary leadership and operational support across multiple senior living communities. This hands-on role partners with community leadership to elevate dining experiences and drive continuous improvement.

The position requires travel between WesleyLife communities, strong coaching and mentoring skills, and a commitment to culinary excellence and safety.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in culinary/foodservice management.
• Serve Safe Certification required.
• Minimum five years of progressive culinary leadership experience.
• Strong communication and coaching skills.
• Ability to travel frequently across WesleyLife communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide culinary leadership and operational support across WesleyLife communities.
• Partner with leaders to achieve culinary operational excellence.
• Lead interim operations during leadership vacancies and transitions.
• Improve food quality, labor management, resident satisfaction, and finances.
• Support menu development, standardized recipes, and culinary initiatives.
• Coach and mentor culinary leaders and onboard new staff.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, and regulatory readiness.
• Promote hospitality standards and resident-centered dining experiences.
• Travel frequently between communities; onsite ~85% of time.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team coaching

Staff development

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Foodservice Management, or related field

Serve Safe Certification

Job description

Position Summary

WesleyLife is seeking an experienced and passionate Regional Chef to provide culinary leadership and operational support across multiple senior living communities. This highly visible role serves as a strategic partner to community leadership teams, supporting culinary operations, developing talent, ensuring consistency, and advancing the organization's Culinary Excellence Pledge and FRESH philosophy.

The Regional Chef will function as a hands-on operational leader, coach, mentor, and culinary expert who works directly with communities to improve resident dining experiences, strengthen leadership teams, support operational transitions, and drive continuous improvement. This position is designed to provide leadership stability, operational excellence, and culinary expertise across the WesleyLife network when transitions and vacancies occur.

Salary: $85,000-$95,000

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Operational Support

• Provide culinary and operational support across multiple WesleyLife communities.
• Partner with Culinary Directors, Executive Chefs, Chefs, CDMs, Executive Directors, and community leadership teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Provide interim operational support during leadership vacancies, leaves of absence, vacations, new community openings, and periods of transitions including menu creation, cooking, and leading teams
• Assist communities in achieving food quality, labor management, resident satisfaction, and financial goals.
• Support the implementation of network-wide culinary initiatives and strategic priorities.

Culinary Excellence

• Champion the WesleyLife Culinary Excellence Pledge and FRESH philosophy.
• Ensure consistency in food quality, presentation, recipe adherence, and execution.
• Support menu development, seasonal menu enhancements, and dining innovation.
• Assist with standardized recipe development, implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Promote resident-centered dining experiences while maintaining sound operational practices.

Team Member Development

• Coach and mentor culinary leaders and emerging talent.
• Support onboarding and development of newly hired culinary leaders.
• Conduct culinary training, workshops, and operational coaching.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and excellence.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Conduct operational assessments and culinary audits.
• Support food safety and sanitation compliance.
• Assist communities with survey readiness and regulatory expectations.
• Reinforce organizational standards for hospitality, quality, safety, and service.
• Provides hands on support as needed to the operations of the community

Operational Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve labor efficiency and food cost performance.
• Support forecasting, inventory management, production planning, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Promote process standardization and operational best practices across communities.
• Assist underperforming communities with action planning and performance improvement.

Openings, Renovations & Transitions

• Support community openings, dining venue launches, and major operational transitions.
• Assist with menu development, training, culinary startup activities, and implementation planning.
• Provide leadership continuity during periods of operational disruption or change.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Approximately 85% of work time will be spent onsite within WesleyLife communities.
• Frequent travel between communities is required.
• A WesleyLife fleet vehicle will be available for business-related travel.
• This position supports hospitality operations that serve residents seven days per week, 365 days per year.
• The Regional Chef must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include:
• First and second shift coverage, weekends, holidays, special events, community openings and transition support, and occasional on-call operational assistance

Education & Experience

Required

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Foodservice Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Serve Safe Certification
• Minimum five years of progressive culinary leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing foodservice operations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, budgeting, labor management, and culinary operations.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence and lead through partnership and collaboration.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the WesleyLife network.

Preferred

• Senior living, healthcare, hospitality, country club, hotel, or multi-unit foodservice experience.
• Certified Executive Chef (CEC), Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), or similar professional certification.
• Experience supporting multiple locations and leading operational improvement initiatives.

Why Choose WesleyLife?

At WesleyLife, you\'re not just starting a job — you\'re joining a purpose-driven community where your well-being, growth, and impact truly matter. With nearly 80 years of excellence in serving older adults, we empower our team members to thrive while making meaningful connections and changing lives every day.

WesleyLife is proud to be recognized as one of Senior Care’s Best Places to Work by WeCare Connect! We\'re committed to a workplace where every team member is seen, heard, and appreciated.

WesleyLife is revolutionizing the experience of aging by challenging the stigma that aging means decline and promoting the idea that life transitions are opportunities for growth and purpose. Come be a part of the revolution!