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 drives resident satisfaction while ensuring quality food service and nutrition care in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. The manager may serve as acting Dining Services Director or Dining Department Head and is accountable for assigned team members’ performance, productivity, development, and work quality. The position requires extensive regional travel and flexibility to adapt to different communities and service needs. The manager oversees dining operations, menus, food preparation, service, financial management, scheduling, and menu planning. They coach and train team members, support onboarding and development of dining leaders, communicate policies and regulations, and help communities maintain food safety, sanitation, infection control, resident rights, and survey readiness. The role collaborates with community and corporate leaders, residents, families, and other partners, and provides handoff documentation and recommendations at the end of assignments. Work takes place in kitchen and dining environments that may involve heat, cold, humidity, wet floors, noise, odors, and fast-paced service demands. The position requires 100% regional travel among communities and a flexible schedule to accommodate meal planning and service needs.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent, with education and experience considered in combination.
- At least three years of progressive multiple-unit food service experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality.
- Proven leadership and coaching skills leading dining services teams.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel between locations; must submit 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 experience involving food, supplies, and equipment.
- Experience or ability in scheduling and menu planning.
- Ability to perform the physical, mental, and environmental efforts 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 credential, or ability to obtain it for skilled nursing or healthcare.
Responsibilities
- Provide on-site dining services leadership during vacancies, leaves of absence, transitions, and new openings.
- Serve as acting Dining Services Director or Dining Department Head as needed.
- Manage, direct, coach, develop, and evaluate assigned team members and support achievement of individual and team goals.
- Assess dining operations and implement improvements to quality, service, and compliance.
- Ensure menus meet nutritional guidelines, resident preferences, and company standards.
- Support scratch cooking and consistent food presentation and service across communities.
- Train and mentor dining services team members, including cooks, servers, and dining leadership staff.
- Support onboarding and development of newly hired Dining Services Directors or Dining Department Heads.
- Reinforce food safety, sanitation, and infection control standards; communicate policies, procedures, and regulations to staff.
- Hold small group meetings in accordance with company policy.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and conduct audits of food safety, sanitation, and documentation.
- Partner with community leadership on survey readiness and corrective action plans.
- Work closely with Executive Directors, regional leaders, corporate support teams, and other community partners.
- Provide handoff documentation and recommendations at the conclusion of each assignment.
- Uphold and promote residents’ rights, protect confidential health information, respond to resident concerns, and report suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.
- Coordinate interpreter and auxiliary aid or service arrangements for residents and responsible parties when needed.
- Maintain food preparation and food service quality; conduct dietary and dining audits for safe food handling.
- Follow food safety rules, illness-related work restrictions, cleaning schedules, and sanitation procedures.
- Report structural, equipment, or furniture defects and malfunctions; identify, correct, and report safety hazards.
- Follow safety procedures, use safety equipment when required and trained, observe resident safety needs, and demonstrate fire and disaster preparedness.
- Manage food, supplies, and equipment finances; handle scheduling and menu planning.
- Travel throughout regional communities to support dining services.
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
High school or GED
