Menu & Dining Operations Consultant

About the role

The Menu & Dining Operations Consultant provides leadership and operational support for menu development, purchasing optimization, food cost management, and dining operations across multiple skilled nursing and behavioral health facilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve standardized cycle menus for skilled nursing and behavioral health facilities.
• Ensure menus comply with federal and state regulations (Title 9 and Title 22 CA), physician-ordered diets in active EMR, therapeutic diet standards, and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with the Regional Dietitian Consultant to ensure menus meet nutritional requirements and clinical standards.
• Coordinate seasonal menu updates and continuous menu improvements.
• Develop and maintain standardized recipes and production documentation.
• Oversee nutritional analysis software and menu management platforms.
• Support implementation of IDDSI-compliant menus and texture-modified diets.
• Develop purchasing strategies that promote consistency, quality, and financial stewardship.
• Monitor food costs and recommend opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining resident satisfaction.
• Evaluate purchasing trends, inventory practices, and vendor utilization across facilities.
• Identify rebate opportunities and collaborate with vendors to maximize purchasing incentives.
• Maintain contract compliance and purchasing standardization.
• Assist facilities with inventory management and waste reduction initiatives.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to support annual budget planning and cost containment initiatives.
• Conduct routine operational assessments at assigned facilities.
• Evaluate menu execution and compliance with standardized recipes.
• Review production systems, kitchen workflow, staffing efficiencies, and meal service operations.
• Assess sanitation practices, food safety, storage procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor portion control and meal presentation standards.
• Assist Dietary Managers with process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and resident satisfaction.
• Provide recommendations to improve workflow, productivity, and dining services.
• Serve as the primary liaison for menu software vendors, food distributors, and purchasing partners.
• Collaborate with vendors to implement menu changes and resolve operational challenges.
• Coordinate product substitutions and approved menu modifications.
• Aid in the implementation of new food service technologies, purchasing systems, and menu platforms.
• Support rebate programs and vendor performance reviews.
• Provide education and coaching to Dietary Managers and Food Service staff regarding menu implementation, purchasing practices, production systems, and operational best practices.
• Develop standardized operational resources, training materials, and competency tools.
• Support the orientation of newly hired Dietary Managers.
• Aid in the development of corrective action plans related to operational deficiencies per regulation.
• Promote best practices across all Food & Nutrition departments.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives related to Food & Nutrition Services.
• Monitor operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including: Food cost performance, purchasing compliance, menu compliance, resident satisfaction, waste reduction, kitchen sanitation and meal quality.
• Recommend operational improvements based on audit findings and performance metrics.
• Participate in company-wide Food & Nutrition initiatives and special projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred.
• Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), or equivalent healthcare food service leadership experience.
• Minimum of three years in healthcare food service operations.
• Multi-site healthcare experience preferred.
• Experience in menu planning, purchasing, budgeting, vendor management, food cost analysis, and operational consulting.
• Experience with long-term care, skilled nursing, or behavioral health food service operations preferred.
• Must be able to travel as needed for business purposes.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle.

Benefits

Generations Healthcare offers a competitive compensation package, healthcare benefits, and excellent career growth opportunities. Health Benefits for full-time employees are provided on the first of the month following hire date. Benefits and incentive programs (including sign-on bonuses, if applicable) are subject to eligibility requirements and may change at any time. Sign-on bonus terms and amounts are subject to change and are based on the employee’s date of hire.