Director of Dining Services

Director of Dining Services

Elderwood at Hornell - Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Lead Hospitality. Elevate Resident Experience. Build an Exceptional Dining Program.

Elderwood at Hornell is seeking an experienced and service-driven Director of Dining Services to lead the dining operations within one of our skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

This is a key leadership opportunity for a hospitality or dietary services professional who understands that dining is more than food service - it is a critical part of resident satisfaction, quality of life, clinical support, and the overall care experience.

The Director of Dining Services oversees all kitchen and dining operations, leads and develops department staff, ensures regulatory compliance, manages departmental budgets and inventory, and helps create a welcoming, resident-centered dining environment.

If you are a strong operational leader with long-term care, healthcare, hospitality, or dietary management experience - we'd welcome the opportunity to connect.

Why Elderwood?

Mission-driven organization focused on People Caring for People

• Opportunity to lead an important resident-facing department

• Supportive interdisciplinary leadership environment

• Strong operational and clinical support

• Ability to make a direct impact on resident satisfaction and quality outcomes

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Position Overview. As Director of Dining Services, you will oversee:

• Daily kitchen and dining room operations

• Meal preparation and food service quality

• Department staffing, scheduling, and team development

• Regulatory compliance and survey readiness

• Budgeting, purchasing, and inventory control

• Resident and family dining experience

• Food safety, sanitation, and quality assurance initiatives

This role partners closely with facility leadership, nursing, dietary consultants, and residents/families to ensure exceptional service and compliance with all applicable regulations and company standards.

The Right Candidate Will Bring:

• Strong leadership and team development skills

• Excellent communication and customer service abilities

• High standards for cleanliness, food quality, and resident satisfaction

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Ability to lead calmly and effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment

• Operational and financial accountability mindset

Apply Today

If you are passionate about hospitality, food service leadership, and creating a positive dining experience for residents in a skilled nursing environment, we encourage you to apply today.

Join Elderwood and help create an environment where residents feel cared for, respected, and truly at home.

• Oversees the daily operations of the dining service department including the kitchen, dish room, food storage areas, and dining rooms.
• Adheres to state regulations, current best practices, policies, and procedures for food preparation and meal service.
• Works with Director of Nutritional Services on menus and recipe development.
• Maintains department food and non-food item inventory consistent with budgetary confines.
• Adheres to purchasing practices set forth by the Director of Purchasing and Nutritional Services Director.
• Conducts routine audits and monitors performance improvement initiatives related to food service.
• Attends, leads, and actively participates in, resident care plan meetings, staff meetings, required in-service programs, and other meetings/programs deemed appropriate by the Administrator or Director of Nutritional Services.
• Performs job functions of each department position when necessary.
• Regularly interacts and communicates with residents/family members regarding meal service.
• Maintains a working knowledge of federal regulations of the State Department of Health code and rules and regulations regarding meal service in the post-acute care setting.
• Ensures proper preparation, maintenance, and service of food in accordance with State rules and regulations.
• Acts as a preceptor for Dietetic and/or Food Service students and interns.
• Conducts in-service programs for dietary and facility staff upon request.
• Evaluates the performance of all Dining Services staff members.
• Support and abide by Elderwood's and affiliate's Mission, Vision, and Values
• Must abide by Elderwood's and its affiliated businesses code of conduct, corporate compliance and HIPAA policies.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, management staff or Administrator.

• Associate's degree or higher in Food Service Management (or Hospitality, if the course study includes food service or restaurant management) from an accredited institution of higher learning, OR Certified Dietary Manager, OR Certified Food Service Manager.
• Three years supervisory experience required.
• At least one year experience in a health care setting required.
• Working knowledge of CMS and DOH regulations as they relate to food service.
• Experience with the QIS survey process preferred.
• Computer skills and knowledge in nutritional software programs preferred.

• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.