Culinary Services Director - Avamere St. Helens

Avamere • St. Helens, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Culinary Services Director oversees all dining operations in an assisted living and memory care community. The role manages kitchen and dining staff, plans menus that balance resident preferences with nutritional requirements, controls budgets, and ensures compliance with food-safety regulations. Meals must be adapted for residents’ individual dietary needs, including modified diets, allergies, swallowing difficulties, and needs associated with cognitive decline.

The director oversees food production, dining-room operations, meal deliveries, inventory, purchasing, vendor relationships, schedules, and daily workflows. The role also engages with residents and families, responds to feedback, coordinates special events and themed dining, and serves as a point of contact for culinary matters. After-hours and weekend on-call staffing responsibilities may be required as needed.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of foodservice operations management experience; senior living, healthcare, or hospitality experience is preferred.
• Strong leadership and financial management skills, including budgeting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with POS or dining management software.
• Ability to manage high-volume production and complex scheduling.
• Strong working knowledge of senior nutrition, therapeutic diets, and food-safety standards.
• Food-safety certification and a state Food Handler Card are required.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• Maintain active CPR/BLS certification during employment.
• Genuine desire to improve seniors’ quality of life.
• Ability to create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and calm cheerfulness.

Nice To Haves

• A degree in hospitality management, culinary arts, or business management is preferred.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) certification is preferred.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop rotating menus that balance resident preferences and nutritional requirements.
• Adapt recipes for modified diets, allergies, and swallowing difficulties, including needs common in memory care.
• Manage food, supply, and labor budgets.
• Oversee inventory control, purchasing, vendor relationships, and daily production workflows.
• Manage daily culinary department operations, including hiring, training, supervising, scheduling, and evaluating staff.
• Conduct performance reviews and foster a supportive, hospitality-driven workplace.
• Oversee food production, dining-room operations, and resident meal deliveries while maintaining operational and financial efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local health, sanitation, food storage, and safety requirements, including HACCP procedures.
• Ensure proper food temperatures and safe storage.
• Engage with residents and families through meetings or feedback processes to support satisfaction.
• Coordinate special events, catering functions, and themed dining nights.
• Serve as a point of contact for staff, residents, and external vendors regarding culinary issues.
• Handle resident feedback effectively and support a high-quality dining experience.
• Be available for on-call staffing responsibilities after hours and on weekends as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with low individual and family deductibles; benefits eligibility begins at 30 or more hours per week.
• 401(k) retirement plan with discretionary employer match.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Premium pay for holidays worked, subject to conditions.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs, and work/life balance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account (CERA).
• Voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance options.
• Legal services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed