Culinary Director

Vancouver Pointe is a premier Independent Living community located in Vancouver, Washington. Focused on creating an exceptional lifestyle experience for its residents, Vancouver Pointe prides itself on its commitment to quality, community, and engagement. The community caters to individuals seeking a vibrant and active independent living environment that emphasizes comfort, socialization, and excellent service. At Vancouver Pointe, building a highly motivated, passionate team is central to delivering outstanding living experiences. This dedication is evident in every aspect of the community, from the welcoming atmosphere to the extensive amenities designed to support the wellbeing and happiness of its residents.

The role of Culinary Director at Vancouver Pointe plays a pivotal part in maintaining the high standards and exceptional service that residents expect. This position is responsible for overseeing the entire Food Service Department, ensuring that all food service and nutritional care are delivered in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as adhering to internal policies and procedures. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Culinary Director leads and manages the dining services team, which includes servers, dishwashers, utility workers, and cooks, across all shifts. The role demands strong leadership skills to manage staffing, scheduling, orientation, training, and performance evaluations to cultivate a professional and motivated kitchen staff.

As Culinary Director, the individual will develop and implement food service operations, including menu development that emphasizes cooking from scratch using fresh ingredients. They will be responsible for managing budgets, controlling costs, and executing comprehensive inventory control procedures to minimize waste. Procurement of food, supplies, and equipment is a key part of the role, ensuring that the department remains well-stocked and prepared to meet residents' dining needs. The Culinary Director also ensures that all food preparation and service areas comply with health and safety regulations, and they conduct routine inspections to maintain these standards.

This leadership role emphasizes training and staff education, promoting safe food handling, infection control, and universal precautions within the department. Collaboration and teamwork are also essential, as the Culinary Director must foster a supportive environment among team members to deliver quality service consistently. Additionally, the role involves maintaining detailed records related to menus, meals served, inventory, schedules, and other operational reports.

The ideal candidate will hold a high school diploma and have completed an approved dietary manager's course. A minimum of two years of supervisory experience in food services is required, with additional training recommended in areas such as cost control, food management, and diet therapy. Candidates must possess a current ServSafe Certification and any local, state, or county required food handling or sanitation licenses. Proficiency in computer systems relevant to food service management including inventory control, purchasing, and financial reporting is essential. While not required, preferred qualifications include a degree or certification from a Culinary Institute and at least five years of experience as an Executive Chef or Sous Chef in senior living, hotel, restaurant, or similar institutions.

The job also involves working conditions that require handling physical demands such as exposure to heat or cold in kitchen and storage areas, lifting weights, standing for long periods, and navigating potential hazards such as burns or falls. The nature of the work means the Culinary Director must sometimes manage challenging interactions with residents and their families while working flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the quality of life for independent living residents by ensuring superior dining experiences that promote enjoyment, health, and community engagement.