Sous Chef - Senior Living - Omaha

Ovation; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

HSA

Job summary

Ovation is seeking a Sous Chef to lead culinary operations in our senior living community, assisting the Executive Chef with daily tasks, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance. You will develop nutritious, appealing menus tailored for older adults, including texture-modified options, while mentoring kitchen staff.

Responsibilities include coordinating meals across dining venues, maintaining food safety standards, and supporting residents with warm, hospitality-driven service.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or apprenticeship preferred, alongside ServSafe or equivalent credential.
• 2-4 years of progressive kitchen experience with prior supervisory roles.
• Strong knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
• Experience with memory care dining and regulatory compliance (HACCP, HIPAA).

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals for multiple dining venues, including texture-modified menus.
• Supervise and train prep cooks and line cooks in the executive chef's absence.
• Ensure sanitation, food safety, and state health compliance for vulnerable populations.
• Meet nutritional guidelines (low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, thickened-liquid diets).
• Assist with inventory, ordering, deliveries, and waste reduction.
• Engage residents, coordinate community events, and foster a warm dining atmosphere.

Skills

Supervisory experience

High-volume kitchen

Menu planning

Food safety

Texture-modified dining

Empathy & patient care

Education

Culinary degree or apprenticeship

ServSafe Food Protection Manager

Job description

Sous Chef

Status: Full-time

Location: Ovation Heartwood; 470 Maxwell Plz, Omaha, NE 68154

Job Summary

The Sous Chef in a senior living community (assisted living residents) ensures high-quality, nutritious dining experiences tailored to older adults. They assist the Executive Chef with daily culinary operations, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance while accommodating specific dietary needs.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for multiple venue types, from restaurant-style independent living dining rooms to specialized, texture-modified menus for memory care.
• Supervise, train, and schedule prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Maintain strict adherence to sanitation, food safety (e.g., HACCP), and state health regulations for vulnerable populations.
• Ensure meals meet specific nutritional guidelines, including low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, and thickened-liquid diets.
• Assist with food inventory, ordering supplies, receiving deliveries, and minimizing kitchen waste.
• Solicit feedback from residents, cater special community events, and foster a welcoming, hospitality-focused dining environment.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Culinary degree or formal apprenticeship preferred, alongside certified Food Protection Manager credentials (e.g., ServSafe).
• 2-4 years of progressive kitchen experience, with prior supervisory roles. Senior living or high-volume healthcare/hospitality experience is a major plus.
• Proficient knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
• High levels of patience and empathy (essential for memory care residents), strong organizational abilities, and adaptable communication skills.
• Food safety certification and Food Handler State Card required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
• Must maintain and have an active CPR/BLS during employment.

At Ovation, we believe caring for others starts with caring for our own teams. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind—so you can focus on making a difference every day.

Employees are Benefits-eligible at 30+ hours/week. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following hire

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – Regence medical plans (PPO & HDHP), Delta Dental (with orthodontia), and VSP vision

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance (Canopy)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Flexible PTO program combining vacation, sick, and holiday time
• Paid Holidays – Six recognized holidays, with premium pay for eligible hourly employees
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Available after 90 days, with discretionary employer match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Employer contributes up to $600/year for HDHP participants
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Medical, Limited, Dependent Care, and Commuter options
• Supplemental Insurance Options – Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Life & Disability (Sun Life)
• Legal Insurance – Affordable access to legal support for common life needs
• Pet Insurance – Discounted plans through Wishbone
• Employee Discounts – Savings on travel, entertainment, electronics, fitness & more (Tickets at Work)

Ovation by Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify