ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, FOOD AND NUTRITION - Hospital
About The Position
The Associate Director of Food and Nutrition assists in leading daily Food & Nutrition Services operations in a healthcare environment. The position has primary responsibility for patient dining services supporting an average daily census of approximately 60 patients across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In partnership with the Director, the Associate Director oversees patient dining, retail and catering operations, quality improvement, food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and departmental performance. The role provides leadership and support to approximately 50 associates, promoting high-quality service, operational excellence, and an exceptional patient experience. It also maintains relationships with hospital leadership, clinical teams, patients, residents, and families, and supports integration of Food & Nutrition Services with the facility’s strategic and operational objectives.
Requirements
- Three or more years of leadership experience in healthcare foodservice, patient dining, dietary services, senior living, long-term care, or resident dining operations.
- Strong operational knowledge of patient dining, food production, therapeutic diets, sanitation, infection prevention, purchasing, inventory management, and food cost controls.
- Experience managing budgets, labor productivity, financial performance, and departmental resources.
- Demonstrated leadership, coaching, team development, and employee engagement skills in a complex healthcare or senior living environment.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to build effective relationships with patients, residents, families, clinical partners, and leadership teams.
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and foodservice management systems.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Foodservice Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, Business, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience is considered.
- Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Registered Dietitian (RD), and/or ServSafe® Certification.
Responsibilities
- Assist in leading and managing Food & Nutrition Services, with primary oversight of patient dining operations.
- Ensure high-quality meal service and patient satisfaction through effective execution of foodservice programs and service standards.
- Lead, coach, and develop approximately 50 associates, fostering accountability, teamwork, and service excellence.
- Support recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Assist with departmental budgets, labor productivity, food costs, purchasing, inventory controls, and financial performance.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, regulatory, sanitation, food safety, and infection prevention standards.
- Direct and monitor safety, sanitation, quality assurance, and maintenance programs throughout the department.
- Collaborate with clinical partners, nursing leadership, and other departments to enhance patient dining and support organizational goals.
- Support retail, catering, and other non-patient dining services as needed.
- Analyze operational and patient satisfaction data, identify improvement opportunities, and implement corrective action plans.
- Maintain client and stakeholder relationships and promote exceptional customer service throughout the organization.
- Help integrate Food & Nutrition Services with the facility’s strategic and operational objectives.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life and accidental death insurance
- Disability insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Holiday time off (varies by site/state)
- Personal leave
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Potential paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
