Assistant Culinary Manager

The Department of Veterans Affairs is a well-established government agency dedicated to providing essential services and support to our nation’s veterans. Within this large and impactful organization, the Norman Veterans Home operates as a specialized long-term care facility that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for military veterans in Norman, Oklahoma. The Norman Veterans Home is committed to delivering exceptional culinary services that meet the nutritional and dietary needs of its veteran residents, emphasizing both quality and safety in meal preparation and service. With a full-time regular employment opportunity available, the position of Assistant Culinary Manager offers an annual salary of $40,934.40, making it an attractive role for culinary professionals who thrive in leadership positions within healthcare or institutional food service settings.

As an essential part of the dietary department, the Assistant Culinary Manager functions as the "Sous Chef" and shift supervisor. This hands-on leadership role involves overseeing kitchen operations during a demanding 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM service schedule. The successful candidate will ensure that the culinary vision for a five-star veteran dining experience is consistently realized, focusing on food safety, team accountability, and impeccable dining room presentation. As the shift-level leader, the Assistant Culinary Manager will oversee cooks, prep staff, and dietary aides while ensuring compliance with all state and federal health and safety standards. This position requires strong communication skills for coordinating effectively with nursing staff, veterans, and their families to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.

In addition to operational oversight, the Assistant Culinary Manager will play a vital role in training dietary staff on culinary skills, portion control, and hospitality standards. The role also entails enforcing cleanliness through master cleaning schedules, managing inventory with strict FIFO rotation, and maintaining detailed logs that adhere to USDA, OSDH, and CMS regulatory requirements. The Assistant Culinary Manager will be expected to demonstrate technical culinary expertise during a paid on-site audition, confirming their ability to lead a kitchen team effectively through meal service while maintaining compliance and quality standards.

This position is ideal for candidates with a minimum of two years of commercial kitchen supervisory experience, preferably in high-volume restaurant or healthcare settings. Certification as a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP), along with a current ServSafe Food Protection Manager certificate, is required. Candidates must have a solid understanding of kitchen health and safety regulations and be prepared to stand and work in varying temperature environments for extended hours, as well as handle physical tasks related to lifting and moving food supplies.

The Norman Veterans Home embraces a culture of equal opportunity, ensuring that all candidates receive fair consideration regardless of race, religion, gender, or disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this career-enhancing role that plays a crucial part in delivering quality dining experiences to those who have served our country.