Food Service Lead

St. Charles Health System is a prominent healthcare provider committed to creating America’s healthiest community through compassionate care and innovative health services. With a strong focus on accountability, caring, and teamwork, the organization continually strives to deliver better health outcomes, superior patient care, and greater value to the communities it serves. Known for its patient-centered approach and dedication to improving overall community health, St. Charles Health System operates a wide network of facilities and services aimed at meeting diverse patient needs with professionalism and integrity.

The Food Services Department at St. Charles Health System is a dynamic and high-volume service unit responsible for delivering quality food and beverage services to patients and visitors. This includes managing patient room service, operating a retail café, and catering special events. The department is integral to the overall patient experience, ensuring that nutritional needs are met while maintaining strict standards of food safety and customer service.

The Food Service Lead position is a vital role within this department, acting as a key resource for frontline food service caregivers and serving as a liaison between caregiving staff and managerial roles such as the Food Services Manager. This position involves critical decision-making responsibilities to guarantee the smooth functioning of all food service operations, from staffing and purchasing to daily task management and quality assurance. Although this role does not involve direct management of staff, the Food Service Lead ensures that daily caregiver duties are properly executed and documented to maintain the highest quality of service.

This full-time role offers a variable pay range between $22.30 and $30.11 per hour, reflecting the importance of the position and the expertise required to fulfill its duties effectively. The Food Service Lead works closely with the Food Services Manager to coordinate monthly and daily staffing schedules, assign tasks, and manage side work and projects. They are also responsible for cross-training across various food service stations, including food production, customer service, room service, catering, café operations, and event management, providing operational flexibility and support where it is most needed.

In addition to operational oversight, this position involves communication and mentorship, ensuring that caregivers receive ongoing training and maintain competency standards. The Food Service Lead supports new caregiver orientation and training efforts, helping to sustain a knowledgeable and capable team. They act as a "person in charge" (PIC) when supervisors or managers are absent, taking on extra responsibilities and special assignments as necessary.

The role requires excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions. Attention to detail and a commitment to safety are paramount, as the Food Service Lead manages equipment and supply storage, liaises with facilities services regarding maintenance issues, and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations.

Supporting the vision, mission, and values of St. Charles Health System, the Food Service Lead champions continuous improvement through Lean principles, fostering a culture of positive change. The incumbent handles administrative tasks including record management, phone reception, filing, and correspondence, ensuring smooth office operations within the department.

Physical demands include standing and walking for most of the shift, occasional lifting and carrying of supplies, and exposure to various environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and noise. Candidates must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform job duties safely.

Ultimately, the Food Service Lead plays a crucial part in delivering superior food service and patient care, maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity at all times. This role is a valuable opportunity for individuals with food service experience who aim to contribute to a healthcare environment dedicated to excellence and community well-being.