Director of Culinary Services

The Sharon at SouthPark • Charlotte, NC

2d • $110,000 - $123,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Culinary provides strategic and operational leadership for all culinary and dining services at The Sharon at SouthPark. This position is responsible for exceptional resident dining experiences and high standards of food quality, hospitality, nutrition, sanitation, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and team member engagement. The Director leads Culinary Services in alignment with The Sharon at SouthPark's mission, Guiding Principles, policies, and strategic priorities.

Requirements

• Must demonstrate strong leadership, communication, organizational, financial management, hospitality, and interpersonal skills
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of culinary operations, dining service, sanitation, and food safety
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving older adults
• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in culinary, hospitality, dining services, or foodservice operations required
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, labor, food costs, team performance, and quality standards required
• ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent food protection manager certification required or obtained within the timeframe established by The Sharon at SouthPark

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, culinary arts, food and nutrition, business administration, foodservice management, or a related field preferred
• Experience leading a complex, high-volume dining operation strongly preferred
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or a Life Plan Community preferred
• Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM, CFPP) preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability for Culinary Services and all dining operations.
• Model The Sharon at SouthPark's mission, Guiding Principles, and commitment to excellence in service.
• Lead, coach, develop, and support the Assistant Director, Executive Chef, managers, supervisors, and culinary team.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, scheduling, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Oversee dining venues, resident meal services, healthcare dining, catering, special events, and culinary programs.
• Ensure food and beverage offerings meet standards for quality, taste, presentation, variety, nutrition, temperature, and service.
• Maintain a resident-centered dining program responsive to preferences, dietary needs, and changing expectations.
• Maintain Culinary Services in an inspection-ready condition and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and manage the annual Culinary Services budget, including labor, food costs, purchasing, inventory, and expenses.
• Use resident feedback, financial information, and KPIs to evaluate performance and drive improvement.
• Direct day-to-day culinary and dining operations across applicable levels of care and dining venues.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on menu development, production standards, food quality, and culinary innovation.
• Maintain a visible presence in dining venues and positive relationships with residents, families, guests, and team members.
• Actively solicit and respond to resident feedback and address concerns promptly and professionally.
• Participate in resident meetings, committees, and forums related to culinary services.
• Provide leadership and oversight for resident nutrition and dining services.
• Collaborate with registered dietitians, nursing, and clinical leadership to support resident nutritional needs.
• Ensure therapeutic diets, texture modifications, food allergies, and dietary restrictions are implemented accurately.
• Monitor food production, sanitation, purchasing, receiving, storage, inventory, and waste management standards.
• Ensure required food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, and workplace safety training.
• Develop and monitor quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.
• Safeguard food, supplies, equipment, operating funds, and organizational property.
• Partner with organizational departments to address operational needs and risks.
• Represent The Sharon at SouthPark professionally with residents, families, vendors, regulators, and community partners.
• Provides financial stewardship through budget development, labor and food-cost management, purchasing, inventory control, capital planning, performance measurement, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborates across departments to support resident experience, community events, strategic priorities, and organizational growth.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Vitality & Well-Being.

Benefits

• Proof of Influenza vaccine and/or approved medical/religious exemption is required for all employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager