Dietary Services Manager – Healthcare Food Service

About the role

Position Summary The Dietary Services Manager oversees daily food service operations in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility. This role leads dietary staff, coordinates menus and therapeutic diets, ensures food safety and regulatory compliance, and supports residents’ nutritional needs and preferences.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate dietary staff.
• Maintain appropriate staffing and promote a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Develop menus with the Registered Dietitian based on nutritional guidelines, physician orders, and resident preferences.
• Ensure therapeutic diets are accurately prepared and served.
• Monitor resident diet orders and participate in care plan meetings as needed.
• Oversee meal preparation, portioning, presentation, and timely service.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, infection control, and HACCP standards.
• Manage food inventory, ordering, waste, and costs within budget.
• Maintain required documentation, including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and diet lists.
• Ensure compliance with CMS, OSHA, health department, and other applicable regulations.
• Prepare for and participate in regulatory surveys and inspections.

Qualifications

• Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) through ANFP preferred or required by state regulations.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; degree in nutrition, food service, or hospitality preferred.
• At least 2 years of food service management experience, preferably in healthcare or long-term care.
• Knowledge of clinical nutrition, therapeutic diets, food safety, and sanitation.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, scheduling, and inventory management skills.
• ServSafe certification preferred or required based on state regulations.

Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods.
• Ability to work in hot and cold environments, including kitchens, refrigerators, and dish rooms.

Schedule

• Availability for some weekends, holidays, and on-call support as needed.