Director of Dining Services

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

Brookdale Central Paradise Valley is seeking an experienced dining leader with a background in hospitality and senior living. This salaried leadership role directs the community’s food service operations, including food preparation, dining room operations, and meal delivery. The director oversees food purchasing and inventory, maintains cost controls and vendor quality, and ensures nutritious, high-quality meals that support residents’ health and preferences. The position ensures compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation regulations and coordinates dining events and themes with 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, catering, and delivery operations, and supports safe, sanitary, and welcoming service. The role develops menus with chefs and cooks, gathers resident feedback, coordinates meal needs with dieticians and care staff, and manages the department budget, purchasing, staffing, inventory, and waste. The director also improves dining spaces and resident experiences and collaborates with Regional Food Service Directors on operational improvements and program ideas. The role requires a current ServSafe certification and applicable local food-handling or sanitation credentials. A college degree in food service or hospitality management is preferred. Candidates need at least eight years of progressive food service experience, including three years in a responsible supervisory role, as well as experience managing food inventories and budgets. The position involves interaction with coworkers, residents, and vendors; occasional travel; and occasional weekend, evening, or night work if needed for shift coverage. Brookdale describes the position as salaried and states that full-time associates in the role are eligible for an annual bonus incentive.

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 preparing food and serving customers.
Experience managing food inventories and budgets.
Current ServSafe Certification.
Ability to obtain or hold locally required food-handling or sanitation licenses and certificates.
Ability to manage a large number of associates directly and through supervisors and create a productive, motivated department.
Extensive knowledge of food preparation and delivery, food service positions, and food and beverage operations.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local food preparation and handling safety regulations.
Ability to manage a food service budget providing three meals per day, seven days a week, to large numbers of residents and visitors.
Ability to understand residents’ dining and nutritional needs and incorporate their preferences into dining services.
Ability to communicate courteously and professionally with staff, residents, visitors, and vendors.
Willingness to communicate perceived resident physical and emotional needs to skilled staff.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, talking, hearing, tasting or smelling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

College degree in food service or hospitality management.
Background in hospitality and senior living.

Responsibilities

Direct food preparation, dining room operations, and dining delivery services within the community.
Purchase food and manage inventory, cost controls, and vendor service and quality.
Ensure high standards of nutrition and food quality for residents.
Comply with federal, state, and local regulations to maintain sanitary and safe operations.
Plan and execute dining events and themes with Activities, Marketing, and other administrative staff; cater events when requested.
Hire, train, and manage supervisory staff for kitchen, dining room, catering, and delivery services.
Coach supervisors on safe and sanitary operations, staffing levels, motivation, discipline, and associate training.
Work with chefs and cooks to develop pleasing and nutritious menus and incorporate resident preferences gathered through surveys and daily contact.
Coordinate with dieticians, nursing staff, and care associates to address residents’ dietary needs and ensure appropriate meal selection, preparation, and delivery.
Develop and monitor the department budget, including purchasing and staffing expenditures.
Approve food orders, maintain appropriate inventory, minimize cost and waste, and recommend changes to maintain operational quality and resident satisfaction.
Promote resident socialization and enjoyment through food presentation and dining events, and maintain safe, pleasant dining rooms.
Network with Regional Food Service Directors to improve operations, reduce costs, and develop creative program ideas.
Communicate perceived physical and emotional needs of residents to other skilled staff to assist with care needs.

Benefits

Annual bonus incentive for full-time associates in the role; an annual bonus target is noted.
Free lunch.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to benefits eligibility.
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 for eligible full-time associates.
Paid holidays for eligible full-time associates.
Company-provided life insurance for eligible full-time associates.
Adoption benefit for eligible full-time associates.
Short- and long-term disability for eligible full-time associates.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible full-time associates.
Health Savings Account for eligible full-time associates.
Optional life and dependent life insurance for eligible full-time associates.
Optional accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, and legal plan for eligible full-time associates.
Tuition reimbursement for eligible full-time associates.
Naturalization application fee advance of up to $725 for qualified associates who have been with the company for at least one year.
Professional development and ongoing programs supporting health and wellness.
Full suite of health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans, varying by employment status.