Lead Culinary Services Director

About the Company

Sonida Senior Living is one of the nation’s leading operators of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities for senior adults. The Company operates 165 communities that are home to nearly 12,000 residents across 35 states, providing comfortable, safe, affordable communities where residents can form friendships, enjoy new experiences and receive personalized care from dedicated team members who treat them like family.

About the Role

The Lead Culinary Service Director will provide leadership to the communities within their territory, supporting key culinary initiatives. This position serves to ensure the community dining operations remain stable and is expected to have an immediate positive impact on the community. In addition to the responsibilities of a Dining Service Director, this role plans, organizes, develops, and directs the onboarding and support of other Dining Service Directors in their respective region.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for the systems and processes required by Sonida Senior Living, including Grove Menus, DSSI, and any approved training platforms.
• Ensure standards and quality are met in relation to food and service across the region.
• Support the preparation and implementation of action plans as needed based on state survey, resident survey, or other identified opportunities.
• Maintain a high level of compliance, quality, and expertise in home community to ensure a “showcase” or model program.
• Lead innovation for community and region.
• Operate remotely from home community by building a strong, independent team able to maintain standards in your absence.
• Assist with interviewing candidates and onboarding of new Dining Directors.
• Provide direct and indirect supervision of the community dining operations along with training, coaching, counseling, and performance evaluations of all staff members.
• Ensure that the dining services provided meet the needs of the residents in accordance with the developed service plans and that the service plans meet the required state codes and company policies.
• Ensure that menu planning, inventory, equipment management, cleaning procedures, and food preparation expectations are met in accordance with established policy and procedure.
• Oversee the recruitment and retention of qualified staff in the dining department, ensuring background checks, reference checks, and licenses are cleared before the employee is released to work.
• Ensure that dining and support staff have opportunities for ongoing training through in-service programs and specific educational workshops to meet licensure needs and the needs of current and future residents.
• Participate in weekly management meetings, morning stand-up meetings, and monthly all-staff meetings as applicable.
• Motivate employees through staff appreciation, recognition, and incentive programs.
• Promote positive employee relations, address concerns timely, and resolve grievances as quickly as reasonably possible.
• Oversee the community dining budget, providing guidance and training to applicable staff on the maintenance of the overall community budget.
• Monitor dining operations of all communities in territory on a regular basis and prepare quality review audits and monthly variance reports.
• Maintain and facilitate open lines of communication between corporate, regional, and community staff.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports in accordance with company policy or federal/state regulations as assigned by the regional director of operations.
• Maintain outreach and education with the community to ensure positive relationships with community resources.
• Work to resolve issues identified by residents, family members, staff, or outside representatives. Keep the Regional Manager up to date on developments.
• Share weekend “Manager-on-Duty” responsibilities as needed in coordination with on-site leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned urgent to the successful operation of the community.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Dining Director in senior housing.
• Current ServeSafe Certification.
• High school diploma required. College credits or degree preferred or satisfy state experience requirements.
• Meet continuing education requirements and certifications on job classification and position, including state requirements.

Skills & Knowledge Requirements

• Ability to train/teach across all positions.
• Ability to troubleshoot and create sustainable solutions within dining.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with all levels of the Company’s management staff, Community Department Managers, and Community Team Members.
• Ability to recognize and communicate problems appropriately.
• Demonstrates team player attitude with a positive outlook; able to work with Community Team Members and Regional Company staff.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and provide information as requested and required.
• Ability to relate to the public, Residents, families, Community Team Members, and other professionals appropriately.
• Proficient communication in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work flexible hours, be on call, and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
• Maintain a car in good working order, current driver’s license in good standing, and auto insurance meeting company minimums.
• Ability to organize time, follow up, and perform job tasks efficiently.
• Ability to teach/train others effectively.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• This position will require up to 30% travel.
• Ability to transfer residents as needed in an emergency situation.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally; 35 pounds regularly.
• Routinely requires pushing, pulling, bending, walking, reaching, and stooping.

Travel Expenses

Due to the traveling nature of this position, all work-related expenses must be tracked (invoices, receipts, etc.). The Lead Culinary Service Director will be required to submit expenses in a timely manner for reimbursement. Sonida Senior Living will reimburse for all reasonable travel expenses approved in advance, upon receipt of supporting documentation. Employee must use a standardized GPS program (e.g., MapQuest) for calculating daily travel to and from communities; travel exceeding 75 miles daily will be eligible for reimbursement.