Culinary Director

American House Senior Living Communities•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Culinary Director is responsible for the overall functioning of the dietary department under the direction of the Executive Director and Corporate Director of Food and Beverage. The role includes preparing residents’ meals, maintaining customer service and food quality, managing dietary operations and budgets, and ensuring food safety, sanitation, staffing, and regulatory compliance. The Culinary Director works closely with the Executive Director and Corporate Culinary Team and supports special events, resident orientation, and prospective resident visits. All Culinary Directors must obtain and maintain a Serve Safe Certification.

Requirements

Excellent cooking skills.
Interpersonal relationship skills.
Problem-solving and logic skills.
Excellent communication skills and compassion for older adults.
Training and experience in dietary/food service techniques.
Serve Safe Certification must be obtained and maintained.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook residents’ meals.
Ensure the highest quality of customer service is available for residents.
Work closely with the Executive Director and Corporate Culinary Team.
Maintain dietary operations within monthly food, supplies, and wage budgets.
Recruit and hire qualified dietary staff and provide proper orientation and training.
Interview dietary staff and perform corrective action when needed.
Verify that staff wear proper uniforms daily.
Know all information in the employee handbook.
Schedule and post work assignments for dietary aides, ensuring adequate staffing for meal preparation and service while maintaining staffing guidelines.
Maintain proper and hygienic food-handling techniques and sanitation requirements for the food service area and personnel.
Walk through the dining room during meals and communicate with residents about their satisfaction.
Set up food and supplies for special events in coordination with the building Executive Director and Lifestyle Director.
Maintain sanitary conditions in dining room areas.
Oversee proper use of dietary equipment.
Carry out required emergency procedures during the shift.
Note and report areas or articles in need of repair.
Perform welcome orientation with new residents.
Engage in prospective resident visits.
Maintain regulatory compliance where applicable.
Use software applications, programs, and tools used by American House for the Culinary Director position.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Food and Beverage Director.
Obtain and maintain Serve Safe Certification.