Job Summary
Plans, directs, and coordinates activities of the dining services department, and provides food services for residents and employees.

Essential Functions

1. Establishes departmental regulations and procedures in conformance with administrative policies. Develops standards for organization and supervision of dining services. Maintains quality dining services within the prescribed budget.
2. Determines quality and quantity of food required; plans menus and controls food costs.
3. Prepares food (including sauces, cold foods, fish, soups and stocks, meats, vegetables, eggs and other food items) according to the menu in a safe, sanitary manner.
4. Works closely with divisional dining services specialist and consults with dietitian when necessary to ensure meals meet the nutritional requirements of the residents.
5. Oversees the food preparation and cooking, to ensure meals are prepared according to company standards.
6. Makes frequent inspections of all work, storage, and serving areas to determine that regulations governing food safety and sanitation are followed.
7. Prepares cleaning schedule, production worksheet and staff schedules.
8. Maintains inventory of food and nonfood items.
9. Orients and trains new employees in department; effectively delegates authority to dining services staff to ensure effective flow of materials and services.
10. Develops and directs cost control system; prepares and submits department budget to Director Dining Services/Executive Director.
11. Maintains appropriate documentation in resident's medical records.
12. Provides nutrition education and counseling for residents; presents dining services education program to dining services and other staff as needed.
13. Ensures safe work procedures are developed and followed, to include those relating to employee injuries, prevention, and infection control.
14. Ensures a continuous quality improvement program is in place and appropriate follow-up occurs.
15. May directly supervise employees in the dining services department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. An associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor.

Education and Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred; two to four years experience in commercial kitchen, operation and line cooking, and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience leading the work of others is preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and other Special Requirements
Current ServSafe Certification required. Obtain/hold any local, state and/or county required food handling/sanitation licenses and/or certificates. ACF Certified Culinarian (CC) preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Taste or smell
• Ability to lift: Up to 50 pounds
• Vision
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and infections
• Exposure to latex
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemical, infections, or biological hazards
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, or cuts from equipment
• Requires Travel: occasionally

Management/Decision Making
Uses limited independent judgment to make decisions based on precedents and established guidelines. Solves problems using standard procedures and precedents. Knows when to refer issues to supervisor and when to handle them personally.

Knowledge and Skills
Has a working knowledge of a skill or discipline that requires basic analytic ability. Has an overall understanding of the work environment and process. Has working knowledge of the organization. Ability to organize and motivate the work of other servers. Familiarity with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and E-mail. Basic typing skills essential. A basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation, culinary nutrition, and supervisory management is required.