Avery Village Senior Living

Dietary Director – Job Description

Department: Dietary Services
Position: Dietary Director
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Executive Director / Community Administration

Position Summary

The Dietary Director is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of dietary services within our small senior living community. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring the individual to serve as the primary cook while independently managing daily kitchen operations, meal preparation, staffing, scheduling, inventory, food ordering, and departmental budgeting.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, self-motivated, and capable of efficiently operating a small kitchen while ensuring residents receive nutritious, appealing, and well-balanced meals in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Meal Preparation

• Serve as the primary cook, preparing and serving daily meals according to established meal schedules.

• Independently manage daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, sanitation, and cleanup.

• Ensure meals are prepared consistently, served at appropriate temperatures, and presented in an appealing manner.

• Accommodate resident dietary restrictions, allergies, modified textures, and physician-ordered diets as applicable.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen in accordance with food safety standards and applicable regulations.

• Monitor kitchen equipment and report maintenance or repair needs promptly.

Menu Planning & Resident Satisfaction

• Develop and maintain weekly menus that provide nutritional balance, variety, and resident satisfaction.

• Plan meals based on resident preferences, dietary requirements, seasonal availability, and established budget guidelines.

• Maintain menu documentation and communicate changes to administration and appropriate staff.

• Gather resident feedback and make reasonable menu adjustments to improve dining satisfaction.

• Plan meals for holidays, special events, and community celebrations as needed.

Food Ordering, Inventory & Budget Management

• Manage all food and supply ordering, including coordinating vendor deliveries and scheduled food truck orders.

• Monitor food costs and maintain departmental spending within the approved dietary budget.

• Track inventory levels, product usage, and purchasing needs to prevent shortages and unnecessary expenses.

• Receive, inspect, and properly store deliveries, verifying product quality, quantities, and order accuracy.

• Maintain appropriate stock rotation, labeling, dating, and storage practices.

• Minimize food waste through effective portion control, menu planning, and inventory management.

• Review invoices, delivery discrepancies, and purchasing records as necessary.

Staffing, Scheduling & Department Leadership

• Develop and maintain dietary department schedules to ensure appropriate kitchen coverage.

• Serve as the primary kitchen employee while coordinating additional staffing and coverage as operationally necessary.

• Assist with interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training dietary personnel when applicable.

• Coordinate coverage for scheduled days off, employee absences, and staffing shortages.

• Provide direction, coaching, and accountability to dietary employees.

• Ensure staff follow established food preparation, sanitation, attendance, and workplace policies.

• Communicate staffing concerns, scheduling needs, and departmental issues to administration promptly.

Regulatory Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with applicable state regulations, health department requirements, and community policies.

• Maintain proper food storage temperatures, sanitation logs, cleaning schedules, and required documentation.

• Follow established procedures for food handling, infection prevention, and kitchen safety.

• Maintain readiness for inspections and promptly address any identified deficiencies.

• Ensure dietary services support resident care plans and documented nutritional needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Previous experience in food service, commercial cooking, or kitchen management required.

• Experience in senior living, assisted living, healthcare, or institutional dining preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to independently operate a kitchen and manage multiple responsibilities.

• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation practices, inventory management, and meal planning.

• Experience with food purchasing, vendor coordination, scheduling, and budget management preferred.

• Food safety certification, such as ServSafe, required or obtained within the timeframe established by the community and applicable regulations.

• Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently, maintain accountability, and adapt to changing operational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull food supplies and kitchen equipment consistent with position requirements.

• Ability to bend, reach, and perform repetitive tasks associated with meal preparation and kitchen operations.

• Ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.

Communication & Accountability

The Dietary Director is expected to maintain open communication with administration regarding dietary operations, staffing needs, budget concerns, supply shortages, resident preferences, and any issues affecting meal service.

This position requires a high level of personal accountability, initiative, and the ability to independently identify and address operational needs without continuous supervision.

Operational Expectations

As the leader of a small dietary department, the Dietary Director must be comfortable balancing administrative responsibilities with active participation in daily kitchen operations. This is not a supervisory-only position; consistent hands-on involvement in cooking, meal service, cleaning, and daily kitchen management is an essential function of the role.

The Dietary Director is expected to demonstrate sound judgment, responsible use of community resources, effective time management, and a commitment to providing residents with quality dining experiences.

Our Commitment

At Avery Village Senior Living, dining is an important part of each resident's daily experience. The Dietary Director plays a vital role in maintaining a welcoming community atmosphere through dependable meal service, thoughtful menu planning, and compassionate attention to resident needs.