Traveling Dining Services Manager
About The Position
The Traveling Dining Services Manager provides interim leadership, operational support, and culinary expertise across multiple senior living communities. The role stabilizes dining operations during leadership transitions, supports new openings, implements company dining standards, and improves resident satisfaction while ensuring quality food service and nutrition care in accordance with applicable regulations. The manager leads and develops dining teams, may serve as an acting Dining Services Director or Dining Department Head, and assesses operations to improve quality, service, and compliance. The position supports menus that meet nutritional guidelines, resident preferences, and company standards; promotes scratch cooking and resident-focused hospitality; and trains dining staff and new leaders. It also oversees food safety, sanitation, infection control, audits, survey readiness, resident rights, confidentiality, safety practices, and required communications. The manager collaborates with community and corporate leaders and provides documentation and recommendations at the end of each assignment. The role requires 100% regional travel to communities, a flexible schedule, and work in kitchen and dining environments.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent, with combined education and experience.
- At least three years of progressive multi-unit food service experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality.
- Proven leadership and coaching skills in leading dining services teams.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Valid driver’s license, ability to travel between locations, and submission to annual motor vehicle background checks.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to travel extensively and adapt quickly to new environments.
- Flexible schedule to accommodate meal planning and service across multiple communities.
- Financial management knowledge covering food, supplies, and equipment.
- Knowledge or capability in scheduling and menu planning.
- Ability to meet the physical, mental, and environmental demands described in the attached Job Activity Description.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or hospitality management, or equivalent experience.
- ServSafe or Always Food Safe certification, or ability to obtain certification.
- Certified Dietary Manager certification, or ability to obtain it.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, coach, and evaluate assigned dining services team members, including their performance, productivity, development, and work quality.
- Provide on-site dining services leadership during vacancies, leaves of absence, and transitions; serve as acting Dining Services Director or Dining Department Head as needed.
- Assess dining operations and implement improvements to food quality, service, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure menus meet nutritional guidelines, resident preferences, and company standards; support scratch cooking, presentation, and consistency across communities.
- Model resident-focused hospitality and service delivery.
- Contribute to organizational and operational strategies, objectives, measurements, systems, and problem resolution.
- Train and mentor cooks, servers, leadership staff, and newly hired Dining Services Directors or Dining Department Heads.
- Reinforce food safety, sanitation, and infection control standards; conduct food safety, sanitation, and documentation audits.
- Hold small group meetings as required and communicate new policies, procedures, and regulations to staff.
- Partner with community leadership on survey readiness and corrective action plans.
- Work with Executive Directors, Regional Leaders, Corporate Support Teams, and other contacts; provide clear handoff documentation and recommendations at the conclusion of assignments.
- Uphold residents’ rights, protect confidential health information, respond tactfully and promptly to resident concerns, and report suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.
- Coordinate communication arrangements, including interpreters and auxiliary aids or services for residents and responsible parties when needed.
- Follow food safety and sanitation policies and applicable codes; maintain food preparation and service quality, audit safe food handling, and follow illness-related food production restrictions.
- Develop and enforce cleaning schedules and other practices that maintain kitchen and food-service-area cleanliness.
- Report structural, equipment, and furniture defects or malfunctions; follow safety procedures, identify and report hazards, observe resident safety needs, use indicated safety equipment, and demonstrate fire and disaster preparedness.
- Manage or support food, supplies, equipment, scheduling, and menu planning.
- Travel throughout communities to provide dining services support.
- Perform other assigned duties and maintain required attendance.
Benefits
- Advanced Pay
- Financial Literacy Classes
- Employee Assistance Program with mental health resources, legal guidance, financial information, and more
- Child Care Discount
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) for eligible locations
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay
- Exclusive Tutera Perks
- Tutera University
- Advancement Opportunities
- Competitive starting wage
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
