Food Service Director- Senior Living

Food Service Director / Registered Dietitian OR CDM (Senior Living Community)

Full-Time | On-Site | Senior Living / Healthcare Environment

Compensation: $70k-$77k + 10% potential annual Bonus

Who we are

Founded in 1986, Thomas Cuisine is an award-winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch-made cuisine fresh each day. Every Thomas Cuisine team member is an ambassador, carrying out our mission, reflecting our values, and building relationships while "doing the right thing".

At Thomas Cuisine, we believe that dining is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Within our premier senior living locations, we are dedicated to providing residents with exceptional culinary delights that nourish the body and soul. We are seeking a visionary Culinary Director to lead our culinary team and transform our dining services into a hallmark of excellence.

Your impact

As the Food Services Director, you will be the driving force behind our culinary renaissance. Your mission is to reinvent and elevate our dining experience, ensuring that every meal is a celebration of flavor, nutrition, and joy. You will lead a talented team of culinary professionals, inspire innovation, and set new standards for excellence in upscale senior living dining.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Registered Dietitian (RD), Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR), or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) who enjoys working in a hospitality-focused, relationship-driven senior living environment.

• 
  

  Key Responsibilities Food Service Leadership

  
  
  
  
  • Oversee daily dining room and kitchen operations to ensure high-quality food and exceptional service.
  
  
  • Lead, coach, and develop culinary, diet aide, and food service staff.
  
  
  • Maintain consistent compliance with state, federal, and local regulatory requirements.
  
  
  • Manage inventory, purchasing, cost controls, and vendor relationships.
  
  
  • Develop and enforce food safety, sanitation, and allergen management standards.
  
  
  • Ensure dining experiences reflect hospitality excellence and resident satisfaction.
  
  
  
  

   

  
  


• 
  

  Clinical Nutrition / Healthcare Support

  
  
  
  
  • Assess residents’ nutritional needs in collaboration with healthcare partners.
  
  
  • Create, review, and update therapeutic menus (e.g., diabetic, renal, cardiac, texture-modified diets).
  
  
  • Monitor compliance with physician-ordered diets and nutrition guidelines.
  
  
  • Serve as a resource for residents and families regarding nutrition education.
  
  
  • Train kitchen staff, servers, and diet aides on:
  
  
  • Therapeutic and modified diets
  
  
  • Portion control and labeling
  
  
  • Allergies and food intolerances
  
  
  • Nutrition best practices
  
  
  
  

   

  
  


• 
  

  Collaboration & Communication

  
  
  
  
  • Work closely with nursing, administration, and wellness teams to support resident care.
  
  
  • Participate in care plan meetings and provide nutrition-related insights.
  
  
  • Ensure seamless communication between culinary, healthcare, and service teams.
  
  
  • Build rapport with residents and families to support individualized needs.
  
  
  
  

   

  
  


• 
  

  Administrative & Compliance

  
  
  
  
  • Manage scheduling, payroll submissions, and staffing plans.
  
  
  • Maintain documentation required for regulatory compliance and inspections.
  
  
  • Analyze department performance and create action plans for improvement.
  
  
  • Support onboarding and continual staff development.
  
  
  
  

   

  
  


• 
  

  Qualifications Required:

  
  
  
  
  • Experience in senior living, healthcare, or long-term care food service leadership preferred.
  
  
  • Strong understanding of therapeutic diets and clinical nutrition.
  
  
  • Must hold at least one of the following credentials:
  
  
  • Registered Dietitian (RD) – highly preferred
  
  
  • Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) – preferred
  
  
  • Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) – required if RD/DTR is not held
  
  
  
  

   

  
  


• 
  

  Preferred:

  
  
  
  
  • Experience managing a food service department or healthcare dining team.
  
  
  • Knowledge of CMS, state regulations, and survey readiness.
  
  
  • Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
  
  
  • Passion for hospitality and delivering excellent resident-centered care.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Five (5) plus years of proven experience in senior living as a Multi-site Director, Culinary Director or similar leadership role in a high-end senior living community.


• Strong business Acumen


• Must have/willing to achieve CDM (Certified Dietary Manager Certification), RD experience, or Registered Diet Tech experience


• Passion for culinary innovation and a commitment to excellence.


• Strong leadership and team-building skills.


• Exceptional culinary skills with a focus on nutrition and presentation.


• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for not only internal staff, residents but with Clin

What’s in it for you

As part of our team, the ideal candidate will gain access to supportive and smart partners, first-class learning and engagement technologies, exceptional employee wellness and medical benefits, and much more!

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits with several plan options to choose from, provided by Blue Cross. HSA and FSA plan available.


•  Generous Accrued Paid Time Off and Leave programs.


•  401K Retirement Plan-with company match


•  Voluntary Short-Term Disability


•  Holiday Pay on worked Holidays


•  Life Insurance


•  Employee Referral Bonus


• Access to wellness initiatives, financial planning, behavioral health assistance, and more

Salary: $70,000 based on experience; 10% annualized bonus potential

Our commitment to you

At Thomas Cuisine, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging. We know that this commitment is an ongoing journey, and we will strive to improve and adapt as we grow. Our DEIB commitment is not just a statement but a living part of our company culture.

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships