Executive Chef / Culinary Services Director

A Different Kind of Culinary Career

Cook for people, not tickets. Lead a team. Create memorable experiences. Help us redefine senior living dining—and still have a life outside the kitchen! 

Bring your culinary passion to The Waterford at Fitchburg, a Sonida Senior Living community in Fitchburg, WI, where great food, hospitality and relationships come together.  If you're ready for a different kind of culinary career—one where you can lead a team, create memorable dining experiences, build meaningful relationships and still have a life outside the kitchen—we'd love to meet you.

At The Waterford at Fitchburg, you'll have the opportunity to:

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  Enjoy no late-night restaurant hours — kitchen service typically wraps up by 7–8 p.m., with an evening cook providing coverage.

  
  


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  Help create a more restaurant-style, hospitality-driven dining experience for our residents.

  
  


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  Bring your creativity to menus, special events and themed dining experiences.

  
  


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  Lead, coach and develop a culinary team.

  
  


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  Build relationships with the people you serve and learn their individual preferences.

  
  


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  Enjoy a more predictable schedule and better work-life balance than traditional restaurant kitchens.

  
  


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  Work in an environment where great food and great hospitality truly matter.

  
  

About The Waterford at Fitchburg

The Waterford at Fitchburg is a premier senior living community in Fitchburg, WI, serving residents in Independent and Assisted Living.  We believe dining should be about more than simply serving a meal. We're working to create a restaurant-style dining experience that feels personal, welcoming and worthy of celebration.

Here, you're not cooking for a ticket number. You're cooking for people.

*Weekends and holidays are part of the role, as expected in a hospitality position, but you won't be living at work.

Culinary Services Director Responsibilities:

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  Manage, plan and direct the activities of the Culinary Services Department, including supervising and developing dining services staff.

  
  


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  Ensure food service standards, policies, procedures, equipment, systems and work areas meet quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

  
  


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  Provide the highest quality food service experience for residents.

  
  


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  Coordinate closely with nursing staff, as needed, to ensure residents' needs are consistently met.

  
  


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  Order all supplies and maintain inventory control.

  
  


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  Verify orders received, ensuring needed goods are on hand.

  
  


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  Ensure budgetary guidelines are achieved and food costs are effectively managed.

  
  


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  Cook daily in the kitchen and lead by example.

  
  

What We Offer:

We believe our team members deserve to enjoy both their work and their lives outside of work. Our comprehensive benefits include:

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  Competitive salary

  
  


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  PTO available from day one

  
  


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  Medical, dental and vision insurance

  
  


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  Life and disability insurance

  
  


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  401(k) with discretionary company match

  
  


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  Employee Assistance Program

  
  


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  Dependent Care and Flexible Spending Accounts

  
  


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  Paid training

  
  


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  Educational and professional development opportunities

  
  


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  Team Member and Resident referral programs

  
  

Qualifications

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  3–5 years of experience as an Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager or Culinary Director in a restaurant, hotel, SNF or senior living environment.

  
  


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  Associate degree or higher in Culinary Arts, Food Science or Hospitality Management OR Certified Executive Chef (CEC, ACF).

  
  


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  ServeSafe Certification or Certified Dining Manager (CDM).

  
  


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  Passion for quality food, hospitality and creating exceptional dining experiences.

  
  


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  Strong leadership, communication and organizational skills.

  
  

Ready for a different kind of culinary career?

Cook for people, not tickets. Lead a team. Create memorable experiences. Help us redefine senior living dining—and still have a life outside the kitchen.

Join The Waterford at Fitchburg and bring your passion for food and hospitality to the table.

Equal Opportunity Employer