Food and Nutrition Manager
JOB SUMMARY
The Food and Nutrition Manager is responsible for the leadership, operations, and regulatory compliance of all food and nutrition services. This role ensures safe, high-quality, nutritionally appropriate food service that supports patient care, employee dining, and visitor services, while maintaining strict adherence to federal and Wyoming regulations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leadership & Operations: Lead daily food service operations, including patient meals, cafeteria, catering, and special dietary needs. Supervise, coach, and develop dietary staff, including scheduling and performance management. Ensure patient satisfaction, while balancing quality, efficiency, and cost control. Collaborate with nursing, clinical nutrition, infection prevention, and leadership teams.
Regulatory & Compliance: Maintain full compliance with CMS conditions of participation, Wyoming department of health and food safety regulations, FDA food code (as adopted by Wyoming). Ensure proper documentation of therapeutic diets and meal substitutions. Participate in care-plan meetings, as appropriate. Keep accurate logs for temperatures, sanitation, cleaning schedules, and corrective actions. Maintain constant survey readiness for state and federal regulations. Lead food safety, sanitation, and infection prevention practices. Prepare for and manage regulatory surveys, audits, and inspections.
Food Safety & Quality: Oversee menu planning and therapeutic diets in collaboration with dietitians. Ensure proper food handling, storage, preparation, temperature control, and infection controls. Support liberalized diets where clinically appropriate to enhance quality of life. Maintain accurate documentation related to food safety, sanitation, and dietary compliance.
Financial & Administrative: Manage departmental budgets, inventory, purchasing, and vendor relationships. Monitor food costs, labor productivity, and waste reduction initiatives. Implement process improvements aligned with organizational goals.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has supervisory responsibilities of all dietary staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associate’s degree or higher in Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or another related field.
3-5 years of progressive food service leadership experience.
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM): SERV Safe Food Protection Manager, NRFSP, or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience with regulatory compliance and food safety standards.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or food service administration.
Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or Certified Healthcare Foodservice Professional (CHFP).
Experience in a hospital or long-term care setting.
Experience in a critical access hospital and/or rural health clinic setting.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Strong understanding of healthcare food service regulations.
Ability to lead in a highly regulated, patient focused environment.
Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to balance patient satisfaction, safety, and operational efficiency.