Regional Culinary Experience Leader – Senior Living

Sonida Senior Living; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonida Senior Living is seeking a Regional Director of Culinary Experience to lead and elevate dining programs across multiple senior living communities. You will partner with executives, directors, and culinary teams to enhance food quality, nutrition, hospitality, and resident satisfaction while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The role requires travel across the region, including air travel, and a focus on cost control, budgeting, and continuous improvement of dining operations in line with

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Culinary arts, Food Science, or Hospitality; or equivalent with Active CEC (ACF) certification.
• CDM (ANFP) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of dining/culinary leadership experience, preferably in senior living or healthcare.
• Regional Chef experience required.
• Knowledge of dietary guidelines for older adults and food safety regulations.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting experience.
• Must be able to travel as needed, including via commercial airline, to support business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee dining services operations for assigned communities, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management to community dining leaders.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor operations, support teams, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Communicate company standards, expectations, and strategic priorities to drive alignment across communities.
• Ensure menus and meal service meet resident preferences, dining needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive hospitality-focused service, creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining atmosphere.
• Monitor resident satisfaction through surveys, feedback, and direct engagement; implement improvements as needed.
• Partner with operations and resident care teams to support Wellness and personalized dining experiences.
• Ensure all communities comply with federal, state, and local health, sanitation, and safety regulations.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, licensing requirements, and senior living industry dining standards.
• Support communities in preparation for health inspections and audits.
• Provide follow up and coaching after surveys or inspections to ensure sustained compliance.
• Manage regional dining budgets, food costs, and labor utilization in alignment with financial goals.
• Implement cost-control measures without compromising quality or resident satisfaction.
• Partner with procurement to ensure effective vendor relationships and supply chain efficiency.
• Monitor financial performance and identify trends or opportunities to improve profitability.
• Lead training initiatives to develop culinary skills, service standards, and food safety knowledge.
• Promote career growth opportunities within the dining services teams.
• Stay current on culinary trends, senior nutrition best practices, and industry innovations.
• Identify and mentor high potential team members to support future leadership development.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Culinary leadership

Education

Associate or Bachelor's in Culinary Arts / Food Science / Hospitality

Active CEC (ACF) Certification

CDM (ANFP) or equivalent preferred

Job description

Sonida Senior Living is seeking a Regional Director of Culinary Experience to lead and elevate dining programs across multiple senior living communities. You will partner with executives, directors, and culinary teams to enhance food quality, nutrition, hospitality, and resident satisfaction while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The role requires travel across the region, including air travel, and a focus on cost control, budgeting, and continuous improvement of dining operations in line with