Director of Kitchen Operations

Overview

Director of Kitchen Operations

RiverWoods Exeter is currently hiring for a Director of Kitchen Operations to come join our team in Exeter, NH. We are seeking a True Executive Chef and leader who is passionate about redefining the aging experience through the culinary lens. In this leadership role, the Director will work under culinary leadership to oversee and direct the kitchen operations at Riverwoods Exeter for independent living and supportive living residents, employees and guests. This is a hands on role where you can expect to be working directly with staff at one or more of our buildings on the Exeter Campus. You will need to manage operations within the approved operating budget.  Ensure efficient, sanitary and safe food preparation and handling. Develop, implement and maintain food preparation, and quality assurance systems and procedures.  Create an employment experience that fosters and supports employee learning, professional growth and development, and ensure all local, state and federal regulatory requirements and guidelines are met. 

Benefits:

• Medical and Dental Insurance, within 30 days of starting employment
• 403(b) Retirement plan with a company match
• Earned Time off, start at 15 days
• 6 Paid Holidays, 4 Personal Days
• Wellness Programs
• Earned Wage Benefit Program, work today and get paid tomorrow
• On-site fitness opportunities
• Employee meal program
• Education assistance 

Responsibilities

• Lead the process for hiring, orienting and training new employees through a system and process that is implemented and used.
• Develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive, continuous training process for relevant technical and managerial skills.
• Implement and maintain recognition and reward process to foster high employee satisfaction and retention. 
• Ensure that all team member performance reviews are conducted on-time and in a meaningful manner fully utilizing RiverWoods’ performance management system. 
• Teach, model and reinforce the RiverWoods Way. 
• Ensure efficient supply chain management including compliance to product specifications, ordering within established supplier agreements, and inventory control. Practice First-in-First-Out (FIFO) inventory management and control procedures. 
• Ensure that a formal process is followed on a daily basis for planning, forecasting and assignment of all food production requirements.
• Apply production planning using production sheets, forecasting based upon historical usage/sales, and standardized recipes converted (scaled) to exact forecasted amounts in all kitchen operation for all meals.
• Monitor and control operating costs within the approved operating budget.
• Implement and maintain a menu management operating system including Point-of-Sale to manage resident meal plan offerings, accurate billing, forecasting procurement and meal preparation.
• Take ownership and drive menu planning and design with the active involvement of residents and culinary team members to ensure variety, optimal use of fresh and locally produced ingredients with the highest possible nutrient content. 
• Achieve RiverWoods’ food quality standards utilizing fresh ingredients in all aspects of food production. 
• Ensure the consistent and complete use of standardized recipes (scaled to a forecasted amount) for all product preparation.
• Utilize “a la minute” and batch cooking methods to ensure food quality and nutritional value. 
• Participate in and support care planning for health-care residents. 
• Maintain a system and process to encourage and collect resident feedback relative to food and service quality. Modify and adjust food preparation, offerings, and service based upon resident feedback in order to achieve high resident satisfaction. 
• Be an active, engaged and supportive of the resident dining committee in independent living and health care. 
• Plan coordinate and direct special meal functions and catering services including the development of menu options at competitive pricing structures. 
• Provide and model exceptional customer service and hospitality to every resident, guest and team member with a positive attitude, collaboration and commitment to teamwork.
• Implement and maintain operating Standards of Practice (SOP) for food preparation, service and quality assurance. 
• Ensure clean, sanitary conditions and practices that meet and exceed local, state and federal guidelines including a successful State of New Hampshire healthcare survey. 
• Participate in policy and standards development for the Dining Services Department. 
• Implement and maintain a comprehensive formalized department Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) program including scope, baseline and thresholds targets and measurement. 
• Stay current on industry trends and advances to ensure state-of-the art programs and service offerings. 
• Actively participate in the RiverWoods community supporting initiatives that extend across all departments and campuses. 
• Collaborate with the Culinary Operations Managers and share best practices.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; 2-4 year Culinary Arts degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years equivalent and relevant experience in senior services and/ or healthcare dining management and/ or multi-unit hotel restaurant or school. Proven successful prior work experience is necessary. Proficient computer skills - Microsoft Office for word processing and input into Excel worksheets.       
• ServSafe Certification

RiverWoods Group: Northern New England’s Largest Family of CCRCs

Three Communities, One Philosophy: Providing Community and Peace of Mind

Since 1994, every day we honor our founding premise: we are here to make things better. Everyone who works here, who serves on our board, who comes to live at one of our communities is connected to this concept. We are about making things better for people, every day. We believe that growing older should enhance, not diminish, the opportunity for a productive and rewarding life.

Each member of our team plays a critical role in achieving our mission: to create community and provide peace of mind to our residents. At RiverWoods, you will have the opportunity to work in a bright, attractive and vibrant community and enjoy a thriving long-term career.

If you’re looking for work that has meaning, purpose, and a future – then RiverWoods is for you.