Dining Services Director

About the role

Charter Senior Living of Mequon is seeking an experienced Dining Services Director to lead our dining department. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on building a strong team, maintaining high food quality and resident satisfaction, and ensuring smooth, consistent daily operations. The community already enjoys positive resident feedback and established food standards; the director will strengthen team relationships, establish clear expectations, and take ownership of scheduling, ordering, and department processes.

Why Join Charter Senior Living of Mequon

• Established community with supportive leadership
• Strong resident relationships and consistently positive dining feedback
• Welcoming, close-knit environment where residents and associates know one another
• Opportunity to lead an established dining department and build on existing success
• Work alongside a collaborative community leadership team
• Develop a dining culture built on teamwork, accountability, and hospitality
• Make a meaningful difference in residents' daily lives

Key Expectations

Strong Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead employees with confidence, professionalism, and accountability
• Coach team members, address performance concerns, and resolve workplace disagreements
• Create an environment of respectful communication and teamwork
• Lead by example; understand that a successful dining department starts with a strong team

Operational Consistency & Accountability

• Follow established policies, procedures, food safety standards, and company expectations
• Be organized, dependable, and comfortable taking direction while independently managing department responsibilities
• Establish clear expectations and follow through to ensure consistent results

Scheduling, Ordering & Department Organization

• Manage daily operational details: employee schedules, staffing coverage, food ordering, inventory, and budget management
• Balance multiple priorities while maintaining quality and service

Responsibilities

Dining Operations & Resident Experience

• Oversee daily kitchen and dining room operations
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, service, and hospitality
• Ensure residents receive appealing, nutritious, and appropriately prepared meals
• Monitor dining service and respond promptly to resident feedback
• Maintain consistent meal preparation and service standards
• Support menus that reflect resident preferences and dietary needs
• Partner with community leadership and clinical staff regarding dietary accommodations
• Maintain a welcoming, resident-focused dining environment
• Support special meals, celebrations, and community dining events

Team Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop dining services associates
• Establish clear expectations for performance, professionalism, teamwork, and service
• Create employee schedules and maintain appropriate staffing coverage
• Train and support employees in their assigned responsibilities
• Address performance concerns and workplace disagreements professionally
• Promote respectful communication and positive team relationships
• Provide consistent direction and follow-through
• Foster accountability while maintaining a supportive working environment
• Lead by example and assist with hands-on dining operations when needed

Scheduling, Ordering & Financial Management

• Manage employee scheduling, staffing needs, and labor expenses
• Coordinate food and supply ordering
• Monitor inventory, food costs, purchasing, and waste
• Maintain organized ordering and inventory processes
• Work within established department budgets
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency
• Maintain appropriate staffing and supply levels to support consistent dining service

Food Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation requirements
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen and dining environment
• Monitor proper food storage, handling, preparation, and temperature controls
• Train employees on sanitation and safe food-handling practices
• Maintain appropriate food safety records and documentation
• Follow established company policies and operational procedures
• Support inspection readiness and address identified concerns promptly
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and operational needs as necessary

Qualifications

Required

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in dining services, food service, culinary operations, or hospitality
• ServSafe certification
• Experience managing employee schedules and staffing coverage
• Experience with food ordering, inventory, and department operations
• Strong people-management and communication skills
• Ability to coach employees and address workplace challenges professionally
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently and maintain department accountability
• Willingness to participate in the rotating Manager-on-Duty schedule
• Flexibility to work additional hours when operational needs require

Preferred

• Previous Dining Services Director, Food Service Director, Executive Chef, or Culinary Manager experience
• Assisted living, memory care, senior living, or healthcare dining experience
• Experience managing food costs, labor budgets, and inventory
• Experience improving team communication, accountability, or employee performance
• Experience maintaining resident or guest satisfaction in a service-focused environment
• Demonstrated history of dependable leadership and professional growth

Senior living experience is preferred, but experienced food service leaders from hospitality, restaurants, and healthcare are encouraged to apply.

Who Will Thrive at Mequon

• Proven experience managing a dining or culinary team
• Leads employees with confidence, fairness, and professionalism
• Builds positive relationships and addresses conflict constructively
• Comfortable holding employees accountable
• Understands the importance of following policies and procedures
• Manages schedules, ordering, and daily operational responsibilities
• Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Communicates clearly with employees and community leadership
• Maintains high food quality and service standards
• Takes ownership and follows through on commitments
• Willing to be hands-on when needed
• Enjoys working in a smaller, relationship-focused community
• Takes pride in providing residents with an excellent dining experience

Compensation & Schedule

Annual Salary: $60,000–$65,000/year

Full-Time Leadership Position

Primary schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Rotating Manager-on-Duty schedule required

Additional hours as operational needs require

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary
• Pay-on-Demand with ZayZoon
• Free medical insurance plan options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid training
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Supportive community and company leadership
• Friendly, relationship-focused work environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on residents and associates

Core Values

• Serve with Heart
• Serve with Purpose
• Serve with Courage
• Have Fun While Serving