Dining Services Manager

Madison, WI, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Temporary

Full-time

Part-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $21.97 - $27.47

Work Schedule

On-call

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Associate assistance program

Employee Discounts

Referral program

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Adoption benefit

Disability insurance

Flexible spending account

Health savings account

Tuition Reimbursement

Job Description

Brookdale Senior Living is a leading provider of senior living solutions, recognized for its commitment to delivering gracious hospitality, neighborliness, and exceptional care to its residents and their families. With a national footprint encompassing 589 communities as of late 2025, Brookdale has established itself as an industry leader, particularly in clinical care, offering a home-like environment where comfort and community engagement are paramount. The company is dedicated to fostering connections among residents through a variety of social events and personalized interactions, ensuring a vibrant and supportive living experience. Brookdale's robust corporate infrastructure provides extensive training and career growth opportunities, making it an excellent employer for professionals seeking to advance in the senior living and healthcare fields.

The role available at Brookdale involves managing dining services across one or more locations, ensuring food service excellence for both residents and employees. This position requires leadership in planning, organizing, and overseeing all aspects of the dining services department, including menu planning, cost control, food safety, staff training, and quality assurance. The dining services manager is responsible for maintaining a high standard of food preparation and service within a prescribed budget, conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation regulations, and implementing continuous quality improvement programs. Additionally, this role involves providing nutrition education and counseling to residents, coordinating staff schedules, and managing inventory and department budgets. Brookdale seeks individuals with strong organizational, supervisory, and culinary skills, as well as relevant certifications such as the ServSafe certification. This position offers opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of senior residents while working within a supportive and mission-driven organization recognized for workplace diversity and comprehensive benefit offerings.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Two to four years experience in commercial kitchen, operation and line cooking, and/or training
Current ServSafe Certification
State food service certification if applicable
Ability to plan, organize, and supervise dining services
Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation
Familiarity with culinary nutrition principles
Experience in food cost control and budget management
Ability to train and manage staff
Effective communication and leadership skills
Ability to conduct inspections and ensure regulatory compliance
Physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds
Willingness to be on-call as needed
Ability to occasionally travel
Commitment to workplace safety and infection control procedures

Job Qualifications

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Two to four years experience in commercial kitchen operation, line cooking, and/or training
Current ServSafe Certification
State food service certification if applicable
Preferred ACF Certified Sous Chef (CSC)
Knowledge of food safety and sanitation
Understanding of culinary nutrition
Supervisory management skills
Working knowledge of Microsoft software preferred
Basic typing skills

Job Duties

Plan, manage, and coordinate activities of the dining services department at one or more locations
Provide food services for residents and employees
Develop standards for organization and supervision of dining services
Maintain quality dining services within the prescribed budget
Determine quality and quantity of food required, plan menus, and control food costs
Oversee food preparation and cooking to ensure meals comply with company procedures
Make frequent inspections of all work, storage, and serving areas to ensure food safety and sanitation regulations are followed
Prepare cleaning schedules, production worksheets, and staff schedules
Maintain inventory of food and nonfood items
Select, orient, and train new employees in the department
Delegate authority effectively to ensure smooth operations
Develop and direct cost control systems
Prepare and submit department budgets
Provide nutrition education and counseling for residents
Present dining services education programs to staff as needed
Ensure safe work procedures are developed and followed
Implement continuous quality improvement programs with appropriate follow-up