Chef Manager

Lansing, MI, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Salary

Range $44,900.00 - $63,800.00

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional Development

Employee assistance program

career advancement

team environment

Job Description

Oliver Woods Assisted Living is part of CommonSail Investment Group, a respected management organization known for operating senior living communities that connect seniors, families, and communities. With over 37 years of experience serving seniors across multiple states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Tennessee, Oliver Woods Assisted Living offers a full spectrum of care options such as independent living, enhanced living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services. The company prides itself on exceptional customer service, authentic connections, and creating meaningful experiences for both residents and employees. The culture within Oliver Woods Assisted Living fosters personal growth, respect, and teamwork, grounded in company values that emphasize purpose, accountability, lifelong learning, diversity, forgiveness, and gratitude.

The position of Chef Manager at Oliver Woods Assisted Living is a vital role responsible for managing the entire dining operations of the community. This leadership position involves overseeing meal preparation, menu planning, food safety, and dining service delivery to ensure a high-quality culinary experience for residents that respects their dietary needs and preferences. The Chef Manager leads by example, promoting excellent customer service, maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring the dining experience aligns with Leisure Living Management policies. This role includes responsibilities such as planning nutritionally balanced menus using regional and seasonal templates, ensuring the presentation and quality of meals, supervising dining room service, ordering and inventory management of supplies, and maintaining sanitation standards.

Moreover, the Chef Manager is tasked with staff management responsibilities including hiring, training, scheduling, performance evaluation, coaching, and motivation of the dining services team. The role requires effective communication and collaboration with other departments for special events and resident engagement activities like care conferences and food committees. The position places strong emphasis on leadership qualities to inspire teamwork, uphold the company’s values, and foster positive relationships with residents, families, staff, and visitors. To be successful, candidates should demonstrate organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.

Educational requirements include a high school diploma or GED, with preferred culinary arts coursework or at least three years of commercial cooking experience. Certification as a Serv-Safe Manager is also required within 90 days of hire, highlighting the commitment to food safety standards. The position demands physical capability including frequent standing, walking, and lifting moderate weights, reflecting the hands-on nature of the role. This full-time opportunity offers a rewarding career path within a values-driven organization that prioritizes the quality of life of its residents and the professional development of its employees. Oliver Woods Assisted Living seeks passionate individuals dedicated to making every minute of the day exceptional for seniors and their families.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Three years of commercial cooking or baking experience or equivalent combination of education, work and supervisory experience
Current Serv-Safe Manager certification or ability to obtain within 90 days
Demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Office in a Windows environment
Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work with minimal supervision
Effective oral and written communication skills
Professional telephone etiquette and customer service skills
Superior communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with residents, families, co-workers and leadership
Developed organizational and problem-solving skills
Team-oriented self-starter who accepts direction and works well with supervisors
Ability to promote teamwork in a positive and cooperative manner
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Job Qualifications

High school diploma or GED
Previous culinary arts courses preferred
Minimum three years of cooking or baking experience in a commercial setting
Serv-Safe Manager certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire
Experience using Microsoft Office and ability to master company-specific software
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Effective oral and written communication
Professional telephone etiquette
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Leadership and team motivational skills

Job Duties

Plan a nutritionally balanced menu based on GFS regional and seasonal menu template
Ensure the menu considers resident preferences
Prepare tasteful meals adhering to food safety standards
Responsible for ensuring pleasing plate presentation for all meals
Oversee dining room service including set up, service and clean up with high hospitality standards
Order adequate supplies weekly based on menu, budget, current inventory and storage capabilities
Ensure supplies are routinely inventoried and maintained in all common area kitchenettes
Ensure dining services department meets regulatory requirements
Responsible for training all staff who support meal service
Maintain adequate food and supplies for disaster preparedness
Participate in resident move-in process, care conferences, resident council and food committees as appropriate
Ensure resident special diets are offered and prepared, recognizing a resident's right to choose
Uphold sanitation schedule for kitchen, equipment, and dining room to maintain standard of sanitation and cleanliness
Work with other departments to coordinate special events
Prepare a work schedule for dining services staff
Ensure adequate staffing to meet community dining needs, while adhering to labor budget
Interview and select dining services employees
Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching and issue employee discipline as needed
Ability to inspire and motivate dining services staff through leadership, supervision and coaching
Promote positive relationships with residents, staff and visitors