Assistant Culinary Manager

The Lawton Veterans Home, located in Lawton, Oklahoma, is a state-operated facility dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to veterans and their families. This esteemed establishment operates under the Department of Veterans Affairs and strives to offer an exceptional living environment that caters to the unique needs of its residents. With a firm commitment to excellence, safety, and dignity, the Lawton Veterans Home serves the veteran community by delivering superior health services, comfortable living arrangements, and a respectful atmosphere. The facility is known for its comprehensive care programs that encompass medical, dietary, and social support, ensuring that veterans enjoy a robust and fulfilling quality of life. As a respected state entity, the Lawton Veterans Home adheres strictly to federal and state regulations, emphasizing compliance and continuous improvement in its operations.

We are currently seeking a dedicated and skilled Assistant Culinary Manager to join our team at the Lawton Veterans Home. This full-time, regular position offers an annual salary of $50,000 and provides an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals passionate about leadership and veteran care. The role of Assistant Culinary Manager is pivotal within our dietary department, where hands-on management and shift leadership are essential. Acting as the Sous Chef and shift supervisor, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the kitchen team delivers an outstanding "5-star" veteran dining experience.

Your responsibilities will span overseeing daily kitchen operations, maintaining strict food safety standards, managing team accountability, and ensuring that dining room presentation perfectly reflects our commitment to excellence. The shift runs from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and your leadership will be central to coordinating the activities of cooks, prep staff, and dietary aides during this period. This position demands strong communication skills, the ability to manage a diverse kitchen crew, and the capability to work collaboratively with nursing staff, veterans, and their families.

The ideal candidate will possess active certification as a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP), with current ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification. Additionally, candidates should bring at least two years of commercial kitchen supervisory experience, with a preference for those familiar with high-volume restaurants or healthcare/long-term care settings. This role is integral to maintaining compliance with regulatory bodies such as the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA).

Moreover, the Assistant Culinary Manager will be responsible for enforcing cleanliness and safety standards, providing targeted training to kitchen staff, and directly supervising the preparation of therapeutic and texture-modified diets to meet residents' dietary needs. The position also requires coordinating with nursing staff for resident dietary changes, managing inventory, minimizing food waste, and conducting quality control through active plate checks and service recovery interventions.

Candidates will undergo a rigorous selection process titled “The Kitchen Audition,” which includes a leadership interview and a paid on-site audition shift to demonstrate technical culinary skills and compliance knowledge. Physical endurance and agility are vital for this role, as it requires standing and walking for extended hours in environments ranging from freezers to hot lines, along with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Working at the Lawton Veterans Home represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the veteran community while advancing your culinary leadership career. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. Join us in our mission to honor those who served by delivering exceptional dietary services in a supportive and dynamic environment.