Food Service Director-Healthcare

About the role

We are hiring an experienced, hands-on Food Service Director to lead the dietary department at a healthcare facility in Columbia, Missouri. This is an opportunity for a leader who cares about patient satisfaction, food quality, and building a strong team. Reporting to the District Manager, you will take ownership of daily operations, including patient meals, employee meals, and catering. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, but you must be willing to step in and cover shifts when staffing needs require it. You will work closely with facility leadership and clinical staff to maintain a dependable, well-run department. Healthcare food service management experience and a catering background are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily dietary operations, ensuring meals are safe, accurate, on time, and meet quality standards.
• Manage the budget, including food costs, labor, purchasing, inventory, payroll, and waste.
• Hire, train, schedule, and develop staff while holding the team accountable.
• Step in to cover shifts when needed.
• Oversee catering and special functions.
• Ensure therapeutic diets, portion control, and standardized recipes are followed.
• Maintain regulatory compliance and keep the department prepared for surveys.
• Build strong relationships with facility leadership, clinical staff, patients, and employees.
• Communicate staffing, operational, and financial concerns promptly.

Requirements

• Food service management experience in a hospital, behavioral health, skilled nursing, or rehabilitation setting.
• Catering experience and strong food and cooking knowledge.
• Experience managing food costs, labor, inventory, and a departmental budget.
• ServSafe Manager certification.
• Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to pass a background check as part of the hiring process.
• Preferred: Three or more years of healthcare food service management experience; experience with Joint Commission or health department surveys.

Schedule

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, but you must be willing to step in and cover shifts when staffing needs require it.