Culinary Service Manager

Rochester Hills, MI, USA|

Job Overview

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Employee wellness programs

Job Description

Waltonwood is a trusted senior living community dedicated to providing exceptional care and a high-quality lifestyle for its residents. Specializing in assisted living and memory care, Waltonwood offers a warm, inviting environment where culinary excellence enriches the daily lives of seniors. The Culinary Department plays a fundamental role in the overall resident experience, delivering nourishing and delicious meals prepared with care and precision. Understanding that meals are a significant part of a senior's day, Waltonwood prioritizes a memorable dining experience marked by quality, safety, and personalized service to meet individual dietary needs and preferences.

The Culinary Service Manager (CSM) at Waltonwood is a key leadership position within the Culinary Department responsible for overseeing and directing all culinary operations to ensure a consistently high standard of food preparation, presentation, and service. This role is pivotal in enhancing resident satisfaction through clear and effective communication with residents, families, and culinary associates. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CSM leads menu development, procurement, inventory management, and regulatory compliance with a focus on team leadership, operational excellence, and resident engagement.

In this role, the Culinary Service Manager maintains a regular cooking schedule to ensure the consistent quality of cuisine served to residents. They ensure full compliance with assisted living regulations, the ServSafe program, and local health department standards, upholding stringent standards in menu adherence, therapeutic diets, portion control, and service quality. The CSM is also responsible for managing the café operations and catering events, where applicable, ensuring seamless execution and resident satisfaction during community gatherings.

The position involves critical administrative responsibilities, including overseeing hiring, training, supervision, payroll, and scheduling within the Culinary Department. The CSM maintains proper inventory levels while adhering to product ordering and vendor guidelines set by SINGH Senior Living. A key competency is the ability to foster open communication and collaboration across departments, working closely with Marketing, Life Enrichment, and other leaders to support community events and activities involving food service.

The CSM ensures that the dining and kitchen areas meet cleanliness and sanitization standards at all times and diligently manages departmental budgets related to food, supplies, and labor. Leadership is a core component of the role, where the CSM exemplifies integrity, innovation, and compassion while inspiring and developing culinary associates. Waltonwood values team-oriented leadership where department heads support not only their teams but the broader community goals, always prioritizing resident well-being and excellent service.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, certifications, or coursework in Culinary Service Arts, Hospitality, or related field is strongly preferred
High school diploma or equivalent required
Minimum of 5 years’ previous experience working as an executive chef
Must be ServSafe certified
Previous experience working with seniors is strongly preferred
Must have strong computer skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer applications
Experience working with a Point-of-Sale system preferred
Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and stay organized
Able to work weekends and holidays as needed, sharing the Manager on Duty responsibilities

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, certifications, or coursework in Culinary Service Arts, Hospitality, or related field is strongly preferred
High school diploma or equivalent required
Minimum of 5 years’ previous experience working as an executive chef
Must be ServSafe certified
Previous experience working with seniors is strongly preferred
Must have strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer applications
Experience working with a Point-of-Sale system preferred
Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and stay organized
Able to work weekends and holidays as needed, sharing Manager on Duty responsibilities

Job Duties

Maintain a regular cooking schedule to ensure high quality cuisine to the residents
Ensure compliance with the applicable assisted living regulations, ServSafe program, and local health department regulations
Ensure Singh standards are in place, adhering to proper menus, therapeutic diets, correct portioning of foods, and high quality service to the residents
Oversee the café operation and catering events throughout the community
Review and update the Resident Diet Notification binder and Point-of-Sale system, educating all culinary associates to be knowledgeable of each resident’s unique needs
Oversee hiring, training, supervision, payroll, scheduling, and evaluating of the Culinary department
Adhere to the product ordering guide and vendor usage as determined by SINGH Senior Living and maintain an adequate inventory of food and supplies for the community
Ensure resident satisfaction through clear, open communication with residents, families, and culinary associates
Circulate throughout the dining rooms during meals and attend resident council meetings, investigating and resolving issues in a timely manner
Collaborate with the community’s Marketing and Life Enrichment team, as well as other applicable department heads, in preparation of community events and activities where food is needed
Adhere to the departmental budget for food, supplies, and labor
Provide reports and other documentation as requested
Ensure the dining room and kitchen areas are clean, sanitized, and maintained at all times
Assist with other duties as assigned by the Executive Director