Executive Director, Food and Nutrition Services

Southcoast Health System, Inc. • Fall River, MA

2d

About The Position

Community Focused. Care Driven. Join Southcoast Health, where your future is as promising as the care we provide. Our commitment to each other, our patients, and our community is more than a mission - it’s our way of life, and you’ll be at the heart of it. Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, charitable, health system with multiple hospitals, clinics and facilities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Nestled in local communities, Southcoast Health provides inclusive, ethical workplaces where our highly skilled caregivers offer world-class, comprehensive healthcare close to home. Find out for yourself why Southcoast Health has been voted ‘Best Place to Work’ for 7 years in a row! We are searching for a talented Executive Director, Food & Nutrition Services to oversee operations across Southcoast Hospitals Group 3 hospitals in New Bedford, Fall River and Wareham, MA. A career at Southcoast Health offers you: A culture of well-being that embraces, respects, and celebrates the rich diversity of one another and the communities we serve Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package Generous Earned Time Off Package Employee Wellbeing Program 403B Retirement Plan with company match Tuition assistance / Federal Loan Forgiveness programs Professional growth opportunities and customized leadership training Southcoast Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in relevant field, Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of food service experience with at least 10 in a healthcare setting and 5 at the Director level, 3 of which should be a multi-site environment.
• Must be fully vaccinated against seasonal Influenza and the COVID 19 virus or to be exempt from the requirement for medical or personal reasons by signing a statement certifying you are choosing to be exempt from vaccination once hired.

Nice To Haves

• ServSafe Certificate Preferred
• Massachusetts Allergen Training Certificate Preferred
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operational & Financial Performance:Oversee departmental budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure all Food & Nutrition Services operate within financial targets. Optimize inventory, supplies, equipment, and vendor relationships to maximize value and maintain high-quality service.
• Drive Key Performance Outcomes:Utilize SHG systems and data to monitor and improve key performance indicators—including cost per volume, productivity, contract compliance, patient satisfaction, employee engagement, retail performance, and service utilization.
• Ensure High-Quality, Safe, and Compliant Operations:Maintain 24/7 operational and regulatory accountability for food handling, preparation, and service across all hospital sites. Ensure adequate staffing, competency validation, equipment performance, and physical space requirements to deliver safe, high-quality services.
• Foster a Collaborative, Patient‑Centered Culture:Engage staff at all levels in meeting SHG and regulatory standards. Promote teamwork across departments to deliver coordinated, patient‑focused services. Model and reinforce service excellence in all interactions.
• Lead Continuous Quality Improvement:Apply performance improvement principles to assess, monitor, and enhance food and nutrition processes. Develop and implement improvement plans to address gaps, increase efficiency, and elevate service delivery.
• Uphold Service Excellence & Community Engagement:Demonstrate ownership of patient experience and support care providers as key customers. Protect patient dignity, safety, and privacy at all times. Represent SHG in the community through participation in events, partnerships, and professional outreach.
• Provide Strategic & Executive Leadership:Guide the vision, structure, and long‑term direction of Food & Nutrition Services. Ensure proper resource utilization, adherence to standards, and effective implementation of departmental policies and protocols.
• Develop and Support Staff:Oversee training, education, and competency development for all team members. Ensure thorough onboarding with emphasis on patient satisfaction, safety, and infection control. Lead performance management, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Manage Staffing and Productivity:Evaluate workflows and staffing models to ensure efficient operations that meet patient and customer needs. Assign staff effectively and monitor productivity to support operational and organizational goals.
• Lead Organizational Change & Innovation:Facilitate communication and adoption of change initiatives. Encourage innovation, responsible risk‑taking, and continuous improvement. Ensure personal and team alignment with SHG’s mission, values, Code of Conduct, and Ethics & Compliance Program.
• Advance Service Growth & Professional Development:Assess current services and support development of new programs aligned with system priorities. Maintain active participation in professional development opportunities and promote ongoing learning for the team.

Benefits

• A culture of well-being that embraces, respects, and celebrates the rich diversity of one another and the communities we serve
• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package
• Generous Earned Time Off Package
• Employee Wellbeing Program
• 403B Retirement Plan with company match
• Tuition assistance / Federal Loan Forgiveness programs
• Professional growth opportunities and customized leadership training

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees