Chef Manager | Whitsons Culinary Group

Portsmouth, NH, USA|Remote

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $65,000.00 - $70,000.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

competitive salary

opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Predictable schedule with limited evenings, weekends, and holidays

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

retirement plans

Paid Time Off

Professional development opportunities

Job Description

Whitsons Culinary Group, a leader in culinary services within healthcare and senior living, is currently hiring a Chef Manager. This role is an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals passionate about making a difference in senior care environments. Whitsons Culinary Group specializes in providing nutritious, high-quality, and therapeutic meals to healthcare and senior living communities, focusing on enhancing resident well-being through exceptional dining experiences. This position is based at Wentworth Senior Living (WSL), a nonprofit assisted living and memory care community situated in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire. WSL has a rich history dating back to 1911 and prides itself on personalized, compassionate care that supports the independence, health, and meaningful engagement of its residents. Located steps from Portsmouth’s Market Square and Prescott Park, WSL offers a welcoming environment dedicated to the vibrant lives of seniors.

The Chef Manager role is full-time, offering an annual salary range from $65,000 to $70,000, reflecting the importance and responsibility of the position. This role involves hands-on culinary leadership, working approximately four days per week in the kitchen and overseeing the entire culinary department's operations. The successful candidate will lead daily kitchen activities, supervise and train culinary staff, design nutritious and resident-centered menus compliant with dietary regulations, and maintain high standards of food safety and sanitation. Collaboration with clinical dietitians and healthcare professionals is essential to ensure diverse nutritional needs are met and to enhance the overall care experience for residents. The Chef Manager is not only responsible for the quality and safety of food but also manages inventory, vendor relationships, production records, and kitchen budgets effectively. This position demands a compassionate, team-oriented leader who can thrive in a fast-paced healthcare environment while fostering a culture of dignity, respect, and excellence. The work schedule offers predictable hours mostly between 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM with some variation, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet operational needs. The compensation package includes comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. This is a unique chance to blend culinary expertise with leadership and impact senior living communities positively.

Job Requirements

College or culinary degree preferred
minimum of three to five years of culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or high-volume food service
demonstrated leadership experience with coaching, developing, and motivating culinary team
strong hands-on culinary skills including batch cooking and therapeutic diets
knowledge of food safety regulations, production planning, inventory management, and kitchen operations
ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, and resident satisfaction
commitment to exceptional dining experiences and enhancing older adults' well-being
completion of required safety training
current ServSafe Certification
Foodservice Management Professional certification preferred
OSHA certification preferred
local food safety certification if required
proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
ability to learn new software programs

Job Qualifications

College or culinary degree preferred
minimum of three to five years of culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or a high-volume food service environment
demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate a culinary team
strong hands-on culinary skills, including batch cooking and the preparation of therapeutic or modified diets
knowledge of food safety regulations, production planning, inventory management, and kitchen operations
ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, and resident satisfaction
commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences and enhancing the well-being of older adults
completion of required safety training
current ServSafe Certification required
Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) certification preferred
OSHA certification preferred but not required
local food safety certification, if required by the jurisdiction of employment
proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
ability to learn new software programs

Job Duties

Lead daily kitchen operations to deliver healthy, high-quality meals to residents, staff, and visitors
supervisor and train culinary team members to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compassionate service
design resident-centered menus that are nutritious, therapeutic, and compliant with dietary guidelines
maintain food safety, sanitation, and inventory systems in accordance with healthcare and regulatory standards
collaborate with clinical dietitians and healthcare staff to meet diverse nutritional needs and enhance resident care
manage production records, vendor relationships, and kitchen budgets
foster a culture of dignity, teamwork, and excellence in a fast-paced healthcare environment