Chef Manager

Full-Time | Culinary Leadership | Senior Living Community

The Chef Manager provides leadership and oversight for all food production, preparation, and dining operations within a senior living community in Rochester, NY. This role manages daily kitchen operations, supervises and trains production staff, ensures food safety and quality standards, and supports budgeting, inventory, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Chef Manager plays a key role in delivering nutritious, appealing, and resident-centered dining experiences.

• Serve as a senior leader within the Dining Services department at the community.
  

• Provide management oversight of all kitchen and food production operations.
  

• Supervise daily activities by assigning priorities, delegating tasks, and monitoring operating standards.
  

• Assist in managing the food budget, including forecasting needs, monitoring waste logs, and supporting cafeteria costing.
  

• Partner with the Senior Director of Dining Services to implement and sustain menus and production systems aligned with senior living standards.
  

• Train and mentor production staff in culinary techniques and safe food handling (e.g., knife and slicer skills).
  

• Provide hands-on production support and coverage as needed, including preparation and presentation of daily specials.
  

• Support quality improvement initiatives by reviewing menus, analyzing resident satisfaction feedback, and identifying opportunities for enhancement.
  

• Communicate substitutions, shortages, and inventory issues to leadership and production staff.
  

• Ensure adherence to Quality Assurance standards and complete required monthly food safety audits.
  

• Oversee scheduling and performance evaluations for production staff.
  

• Complete food orders, maintain order guides, and conduct monthly inventory counts.
  

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment; coordinate major cleaning projects and equipment maintenance as needed.
  

• Ensure compliance with sanitation guidelines, HACCP principles, and safety regulations; conduct staff training as part of in-service programs.
  

• Participate in departmental meetings, in-service education, and community safety programs.
  

• Perform additional related duties as assigned by leadership.
  

• Strong leadership experience in senior living, healthcare, or institutional dining.
  

• Dependable and punctual with the ability to work scheduled shifts consistently.
  

• Willingness to work weekends and overtime as operational needs require.
  

• Hospitality-focused mindset with a friendly, service-oriented approach.
  

• Reliable transportation.
  

Education

• Technical, trade, or vocational degree in Culinary Arts required
  

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of food production experience, preferably in senior living or healthcare dining
  

• Supervisory experience strongly preferred
  

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and perform basic math calculations
  

• Strong knowledge of food preparation, kitchen operations, and sanitation practices
  

Certifications (Preferred)

• ServSafe certification and/or County Sanitation certification
  

• Work is performed in a clean, well-lit senior living community kitchen.
  

• Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
  

• May be required to assist during emergency situations to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and team members.