Traveling Dining Services Manager

Tutera Senior Living & Health Care • Peoria, IL

18d • Onsite

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. It ensures quality food service and nutrition care in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The manager provides on-site leadership during vacancies, leaves of absence, or other transitions, and may serve as acting Dining Services Director or Dining Department Head. Responsibilities include leading and developing assigned team members, improving service and compliance, maintaining resident-focused hospitality, supporting menu planning and scratch cooking, and training dining staff and new leaders. The manager conducts food safety and sanitation audits, supports survey readiness and corrective action plans, and communicates policies and regulations to staff.

This role collaborates with community and corporate leadership, provides documentation and recommendations at the end of assignments, and upholds residents’ rights, confidentiality, and safety. It requires extensive regional travel to communities and work in kitchen and dining environments that may involve heat, cold, humidity, wet floors, noise, odors, and fast-paced service demands.

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.
• Demonstrated leadership and coaching skills in 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 services across multiple communities.
• Financial management experience involving food, supplies, and equipment.
• Scheduling and menu-planning skills.

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage assigned dining services team members, including performance and work quality.
• Provide on-site dining services leadership during vacancies, leaves of absence, transitions, or new openings, and serve as acting department leader as needed.
• Assess dining operations and implement improvements to quality, service, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure menus meet nutritional guidelines, resident preferences, and company standards; support scratch cooking and consistent presentation.
• Model resident-focused hospitality and service delivery.
• Contribute to organizational and operational strategies, objectives, measurements, and process improvements.
• Train and mentor dining services employees and support onboarding and development of newly hired dining leaders.
• Reinforce food safety, sanitation, infection control, company policies, and regulatory requirements; communicate new policies and procedures to staff.
• Ensure required small-group meetings are held.
• Conduct food safety, sanitation, and documentation audits; support survey readiness and corrective action plans with community leadership.
• Collaborate with Executive Directors, regional leaders, corporate support teams, and community partners.
• Provide clear handoff documentation and recommendations at the conclusion of assignments.
• Uphold residents’ rights, protect confidential health information, respond promptly and tactfully to resident concerns, and report suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property.
• Coordinate interpreters and auxiliary aids or services for residents and responsible parties as needed.
• Maintain food preparation and service quality, audit safe food handling, follow illness-related work restrictions, and maintain kitchen cleaning schedules and sanitation.
• Report structural, equipment, and furniture defects; follow safety procedures, identify and report hazards, observe residents’ care-plan safety needs, and use indicated safety equipment.
• Demonstrate job-specific knowledge of fire and disaster preparedness during drills or emergencies.
• Travel throughout the region to support dining services at all communities.
• Perform other assigned duties; attendance is an essential requirement.

Benefits

• Advanced Pay
• Financial Literacy Classes
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health resources, legal guidance, and financial information
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED