Director Culinary Services-DCS

Forefront Healthcare -
Glendive, MT

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Job Details

From $85,000 a year
13 days ago

Benefits

Relocation assistance
Health insurance
Unlimited paid time off
Dental insurance
401(k)
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Pet insurance

Qualifications

Financial forecasting
Certified Dietary Manager
Team supervision
Managing healthcare operations budgets
ServSafe
Expense management
Operational management
Labor cost analysis
Managing catering events
Kitchen cost control
Inventory tracking for food cost management
Profit & Loss statement
Leading team collaboration initiatives
Healthcare financial management
Managing kitchen staff
Budget management in healthcare
Financial performance measurement
ServSafe Food Manager Certification
Financial forecasting analysis
Restaurant cost management
Managing hospitality operations budgets
Retail management experience

Full Job Description

Forefront is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional culinary and support services. As a leader on our team, you play a vital role in driving operational success within a healthcare environment. Through our core values Tenacity, Integrity, Creativity, Service Excellence, Safety, and Caring, you will lead teams, ensure high-quality service delivery, and help create a clean, safe, and healing environment for all.

If you are passionate about leading people, developing teams, and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to join us.

Why You'll Love Leading With Us:

Supportive Culture: Collaborate with a leadership team that values input, accountability, and continuous improvement
Growth-Focused: Access to leadership development, Lean Six Sigma opportunities, and career advancement pathways
Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), pet insurance, and unlimited PTO

We are seeking an experienced Culinary Director to lead food and nutrition services at a Critical Access Hospital in Eastern Montana.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, hands-on leader who is passionate about developing and mentoring a strong team while building lasting partnerships with hospital leadership to support exceptional service for patients, residents, staff, and visitors. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a rural healthcare community and drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Starting salary: $85,000 annually.

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

The Director Culinary Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all culinary and dining programs, ensuring exceptional food quality, hospitality-driven service, and strong financial performance. This role is responsible for menu innovation, regulatory compliance, client and resident satisfaction, and the development of high-performing teams across multiple service lines, including residential dining, retail, and catering.

The Director leads budget management, food and labor cost controls, purchasing, and vendor partnerships while upholding the highest standards of safety, sanitation, and therapeutic diet compliance. Serving as a key liaison with clients, residents, and interdisciplinary teams, this position drives continuous improvement, program growth, and the overall dining experience in alignment with Forefront's mission and service excellence standards

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Functions and Duties

Culinary Leadership & Quality

Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events.
Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards.
Develop and execute seasonal menus, resident-driven programs, and special dining events.
Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards at all times.
Champion innovation, resident engagement, and culinary experience enhancement.

Financial & Operational Performance

Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance.
Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and purchasing strategies.
Implement inventory controls, ordering systems, and waste reduction programs.
Deliver financial results aligned with contractual and company targets.
Partner with the General Manager and Regional leadership on performance strategy.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams.
Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline culinary staff.
Build strong bench strength, succession planning, and training programs.
Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride.
Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action when needed.

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards.
Lead kitchen sanitation, food safety, and inspection readiness at all times.
Maintain documentation, training logs, and audit readiness.
Drive a strong culture of food safety and workplace safety.

Resident / Client Experience

Partner with residents, patients, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction.
Participate in resident councils, food committees, tastings, and feedback sessions.
Respond proactively to concerns and continuously improve the dining experience.
Represent Forefront and the culinary program in a highly professional manner.

Program & Concept Execution

Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives.
Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities.

Lead openings, renovations, and concept changes when applicable.

Travel

Occasional travel for company meetings by car and/or plane may be required

General Responsibility as Required for Position

Responsible for acting in conformance with all facility and departmental policies and procedures including those relating to Human Resources, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Health and Safety regulations, Compliance requirements, Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and HIPAA. Responsible for acting in conformance with accrediting agency standards.
Attends department meetings as required.
Demonstrates accountability to accept responsibility for personal/professional growth and any required certification/licenses, if applicable.
Completes mandatory training and competencies annually.

AAP/EEO Statement

Forefront will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, height, weight, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, military service, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other protected class in its hiring practices, conditions for transfer or promotion, policies, discipline, discharge, terms, conditions or benefits of employment.

Other Duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, tasks, responsibilities, and activities may change from time to time.

Requirements:

Education/Experience/Training

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, Food Service Management, or related field preferred

Professional Experience:

7–10+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience
3–5+ years in a Director/Regional/Executive Chef role with P&L accountability
Demonstrated success managing:
Multi-unit or large campus dining operations
Retail, resident dining, and catering services
Annual budgets, food/labor cost controls, and financial forecasting
Experience in senior living, acute care, or healthcare dining highly preferred
Proven ability to lead teams of 30–100+ associates across multiple departments
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with GPO/vendor contract negotiations
Experience opening new accounts or major program transitions
Culinary innovation in wellness and lifestyle dining
Multi-site oversight or regional support background

License and Certification

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Required or Must be obtained within 90 days of employment
CDM Required

Apply Now

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Functions and Duties

Culinary Leadership & Quality

Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events.

Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards.

Develop and execute seasonal menus, resident-driven programs, and special dining events.

Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards at all times.

Champion innovation, resident engagement, and culinary experience enhancement.

Financial & Operational Performance

Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance.

Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and purchasing strategies.

Implement inventory controls, ordering systems, and waste reduction programs.

Deliver financial results aligned with contractual and company targets.

Partner with the General Manager and Regional leadership on performance strategy.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams.

Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline culinary staff.

Build strong bench strength, succession planning, and training programs.

Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride.

Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action when needed.

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards.

Lead kitchen sanitation, food safety, and inspection readiness at all times.

Maintain documentation, training logs, and audit readiness.

Drive a strong culture of food safety and workplace safety.

Resident / Client Experience

Partner with residents, patients, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction.

Participate in resident councils, food committees, tastings, and feedback sessions.

Respond proactively to concerns and continuously improve the dining experience.

Represent Forefront and the culinary program in a highly professional manner.

Program & Concept Execution

Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives.

Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities.