Senior Living Chef Manager: Resident Dining Leader

Aramark Correctional Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Aramark SeniorLIFE+ is seeking a hands-on Chef Manager to lead food service in a skilled nursing and long-term care setting on Staten Island. You will direct daily operations, ensure meals meet physician orders and dietary needs, and supervise modified texture diets while upholding safety and quality.

You will build strong resident and client relationships, coach staff, and partner with clinical teams to meet care plans. Join a mission-driven team delivering meaningful dining experiences.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of culinary leadership experience in a skilled nursing, long-term care, healthcare, rehabilitation, or other highly regulated food service environment.
• 1-2 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Experience with therapeutic diets and modified texture diets, including mechanical soft and pureed diets.
• Food Protection Manager, Food Handler, or equivalent food safety certification as required.
• Strong knowledge of food production, sanitation, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily food service operations for skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, and memory care residents.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served according to physician orders, therapeutic diet requirements, and resident preferences.
• Oversee food production and service for modified texture diets, including mechanical soft and pureed diets.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, consistency, and resident satisfaction.
• Conduct regular resident rounds and dining room observations to assess service quality and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work directly with residents, families, and clients to address concerns and enhance the dining experience.
• Oversee tray line and dining room service to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and meal quality.
• Support special dining events, seasonal promotions, and potential display cooking opportunities.
• Lead menu execution, food production, purchasing, inventory management, and cost controls.
• Maintain high culinary standards while meeting nutrition and therapeutic diet requirements.
• Partner closely with clinical and dietary teams to ensure compliance with resident care plans.
• Ensure recipes, production records, and portion controls are followed consistently.
• Demonstrate strong culinary skills and actively participate in kitchen operations when needed.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, local, CMS, Department of Health, OSHA, and company regulations.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, and workplace safety standards.
• Monitor and document compliance activities and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory surveys and audits.
• Lead, coach, and develop food service employees to achieve operational and service excellence.
• Conduct daily pre-shift meetings and team huddles to communicate priorities, service expectations, and safety initiatives.
• Use coaching and performance management tools to develop employees and address performance concerns.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and recognition.
• Partner effectively within a union environment while maintaining positive employee relations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community leadership, clinical teams, residents, and families.
• Communicate operational performance, service outcomes, and improvement initiatives to clients.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance resident dining programs and overall satisfaction.
• Serve as a visible and accessible leader in dining rooms and throughout the community.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team leadership

Food safety

Therapeutic diets

Verbal & written communication

Job description

Aramark SeniorLIFE+ is seeking a hands-on Chef Manager to lead food service in a skilled nursing and long-term care setting on Staten Island. You will direct daily operations, ensure meals meet physician orders and dietary needs, and supervise modified texture diets while upholding safety and quality.

You will build strong resident and client relationships, coach staff, and partner with clinical teams to meet care plans. Join a mission-driven team delivering meaningful dining experiences.