Director of Dining Services

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. • Lubbock, TX

6d

About The Position

The Director of Dining Services directs food service operations within a community, including food preparation, dining room operations, and meal delivery. The role manages food purchasing and inventory, controls costs, oversees vendor service and quality, and ensures nutritious, high-quality meals that support residents’ health and enjoyment. The director ensures safe and sanitary operations in compliance with applicable regulations and plans dining events and themes with other community staff. Catering may also be provided for events requested by residents or staff.

The director hires, trains, and manages supervisory staff across kitchen, dining room, catering, and delivery services. The position works with culinary staff to develop menus based on residents’ preferences and dietary needs, coordinating with dieticians, nursing staff, and care associates as needed. It also develops and monitors the department budget, manages purchasing and staffing expenditures, maintains appropriate inventory, improves dining spaces, and networks with Regional Food Service Directors to improve operations and develop ideas.

Requirements

• At least eight years of progressive experience in the food service industry.
• At least three years of experience in a responsible supervisory role overseeing people who prepare food and serve customers.
• Experience managing food inventories and budgets.
• Current ServSafe Certification.
• Obtain and hold any locally, state, or county-required food handling or sanitation licenses and certificates.
• Ability to manage a large number of associates directly and through supervisors.
• Extensive knowledge of food preparation and delivery, food service positions, and food and beverage operations.
• Ability to manage a food service budget providing three meals per day, seven days a week, to large numbers of residents and visitors.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local food preparation and handling safety regulations.
• Ability to understand residents’ dining and nutritional needs and incorporate their preferences into dining services.
• Ability to communicate courteously and warmly with staff, residents, and visitors.
• Willingness to communicate residents’ perceived physical and emotional needs to other skilled staff.

Nice To Haves

• College degree in food service or hospitality management.

Responsibilities

• Direct food preparation, dining room operations, and dining delivery services within the community.
• Manage food purchasing, inventory, vendor service, food quality, and cost controls.
• Ensure meals are nutritious and meet residents’ health needs and preferences.
• Comply with federal, state, and local regulations governing safe and sanitary food operations.
• Plan and execute dining events and themes with the Activities Director, Marketing Director, and other administrative staff; cater events when requested.
• Hire, train, and manage supervisors for kitchen, dining room, catering, and delivery services.
• Ensure supervisors maintain safe, sanitary environments and provide residents with a caring dining experience.
• Coach supervisors on staffing levels and on motivating, disciplining, and training associates.
• Consult with chefs and cooks to develop and maintain pleasing, nutritious menus.
• Assess residents’ food preferences through surveys and daily contact, and incorporate them into menus and events.
• Coordinate with dieticians, nursing staff, and care associates to ensure meals are selected, prepared, and delivered appropriately for residents’ dietary needs.
• Develop the department budget, including purchasing and staffing expenditures, approve food orders, and maintain inventory levels that meet demand while minimizing cost and waste.
• Monitor budget compliance and recommend changes to maintain operational quality and resident satisfaction.
• Promote resident socialization and enjoyment through food presentation and events, and improve dining room décor and condition.
• Network with Regional Food Service Directors to improve operations, reduce costs, and develop creative program ideas.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Associate assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Referral program
• Early access to earned wages for hourly associates outside California
• Optional identity theft protection and pet insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Company-provided life insurance
• Adoption benefit
• Short- and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Optional life and dependent life insurance
• Optional accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, and legal plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Annual bonus incentive for full-time associates in the role
• Sales referral bonuses
• Naturalization application fee advances of up to $725 for qualified associates who have been with the company for at least one year
• Professional development and ongoing health and wellness programs

What This Job Offers

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