Assistant Manager - Food Services

Position Details

Mercy Hospital St. Louis | Full-Time | Evening Shift
Lead with Purpose at Mercy
At Mercy, we believe great care extends beyond the bedside. Every meal served is an opportunity to support healing, comfort, and exceptional patient experiences. As an Assistant Manager – Food Services, you will provide operational leadership for evening Food and Nutrition Services, overseeing culinary and inpatient food service operations while ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, service, and team performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight for kitchen, retail, and inpatient food service operations during assigned shifts.
• Cookware production, meal assembly, and patient meal service to ensure accuracy, quality, and timely delivery.
• Ensure all food service operations meet established performance, quality, and customer service standards.
• Serve as a working leader and provide frontline operational support when needed.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training food service team members.
• Supervise, coach, and develop staff to promote engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and address performance concerns in a timely manner.
• Facilitate daily huddles and ongoing staff training related to customer service, food safety, diet restrictions, allergens, and operational procedures.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that supports Mercy's culture and values.
• Customer Experience
• Promote a culture of service excellence by utilizing AIDET principles and service recovery practices.
• Round regularly with patients, guests, and co-workers to gather feedback and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor customer satisfaction metrics and lead initiatives focused on enhancing the dining experience.
• Collaborate with culinary leadership to support menu development, retail offerings, and special food service events.
• Financial & Administrative Oversight
• Support achievement of departmental financial goals by managing labor, food costs, inventory, and operational resources responsibly.
• Maintain effective purchasing, receiving, and inventory management practices.
• Monitor productivity and identify opportunities for operational improvements and cost efficiencies.
• Ensure accurate completion of required reports, documentation, and departmental records.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with HACCP standards, food safety regulations, Joint Commission requirements, CMS standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain department cleanliness, sanitation, and organization through routine inspections and accountability measures.
• Verify completion of required food safety documentation, temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and quality audits.
• Ensure staff consistently follow department policies, infection prevention practices, safety protocols, dress code standards, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Promote a safe environment for patients, visitors, and co-workers by identifying and addressing operational risks.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience, including at least one (1) year of food service experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Computer proficiency including basic software applications, spreadsheets, and food service management systems.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English with patients, co-workers, and leadership.
• Ability to obtain required certification within 90 days of hire: Serve Safe Manager Certification (St. Louis/South Region).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience, including two (2) years in food service leadership.
• Experience in acute care healthcare food service, hospitality, or large-scale food service operations.
• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Registered Dietitian (RD), or Licensed Dietitian credentials.

Why Mercy?

• Mission-driven culture focused on compassionate care.
• Leadership opportunity within a growing healthcare organization.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Career advancement and professional development opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible co-workers.