Culinary Director (Assisted Living & Memory Care)

The Grove of Forest Lane is a beautiful Assisted Living and Memory Care community located off Forest Lane within five miles of the Galleria.  We are looking for an experienced Culinary Director to join our amazing team of dedicated professionals.

If you are looking to use your talents as a culinarian and food manager to make a difference in the social and nutritional lives of senior adults, please consider applying for this role.

We offer a competitive compensation package, fifteen days of PTO the first year, a comprehensive benefits package and discount purchase program, plus the best customers in Dallas! 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Ensures the food service provided for the community meets and/or exceeds company standards while maintaining compliance with HACCP, OSHA, and local, state and federal regulations.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans weekly menus in accordance with the community policies and procedures, and incorporates a variety of nutritional foods and foods in season
• Maintains an adequate inventory of foods and supplies from approved vendors, staying within budget
• Continually looks for ways to improve and/or enhance the quality of foods and services provided
• Prepares and cooks food in accordance with nutritional guidelines, regulations, and residents’ individual food preferences; accommodates modified diets to the extent allowed by the community’s license
• Ensures that food is served in an appetizing and appealing manner
• Assists nursing and caregiving staff in fostering residents’ independence with eating by taking the time to know the residents and providing/recommending adaptive equipment when needed
• Ensures that food and beverage delivered to activity areas and resident apartments arrives on schedule at proper temperatures
• Visits with the residents at each meal (and/or has other supervisory staff do so) to continually assess quality. Addresses concerns immediately or follows-up
• Plans and provides refreshments/meals for special events; works collaboratively with other departments to ensure success
• Provides a forum for resident input and suggestions
• Maintains a clean, organized and safe kitchen environment
• Ensures proper storage and handling of food in accordance with infection control standards
• Recruits and hires dining services employees
• Ensures that all community employees who handle and deliver food and beverage are trained in proper food handling; trains dining service staff in emergency procedures pertaining to kitchen, dining areas and any areas where food may be served
• Schedules staff to meet the needs of the department, staying within budget
• Ensures that all food staff abide by sanitation and safety regulations and perform their duties as required and expected
• Conducts regular performance appraisals with employees
• Follows procedure in responding to on-the-job injuries
• Performs Manager on Duty responsibilities when assigned
• Encourages teamwork and promotes company philosophy
• Attends required community meetings and trainings
• Becomes familiar with and understands emergency response procedures for entire community, up to and including evacuation
• Responsible for maintaining a safe and secure dining environment for employee and community residents 
• Performs other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Bi-lingual in Spanish a plus
• Able to communicate effectively with all levels of management, employees, residents, family members, and outside contacts
• Competent in Microsoft and Outlook; able to place orders online, produce staff schedules, correspond via email, and read and produce electronic documents such as budget reports
• Familiar with HACCP and OSHA regulations and state local food handling and kitchen regulations
• Able to make independent decisions
• Able to seek out new methods and incorporate them into existing practices when applicable
• Passion for working with and around older adults
• Able to work a highly flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and occasional holidays, and to respond to after-hours phone calls and text messages

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school education. Culinary arts certification, or Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Requires valid state certification as Certified Food Manager

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of five years of experience in commercial kitchen operations
• Minimum one year of experience as a chef/cook
• Minimum of two years’ experience as supervisor or manager
• Experience working in a senior community (Independent Living, Assisted Living/Memory Care)
• Current food service sanitation certificate
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Outlook software

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:

• Stand and/or walk up to eight (8) hours a day
• Sit up to two (2) hours a day
• Frequently support up to 30 pounds
• Frequently lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• Frequently kneel, bend, lift and reach
• Continual exposure to hazards such as hot cooking surfaces, chemicals, and food prep equipment
• Exposure to infectious diseases, substances, odors, etc. throughout the workday

Franklin is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms

The Grove is professionally managed by Franklin Apartment Management, LTD, a premier manager of senior housing in based in Texas.  To learn more about our company go to www.franklinpark.org.