Culinary Director – Hillcrest Millard
Location: 13225 Westwood Lane, Omaha, NE 68144
Service Line: Hillcrest Millard
Schedule: Full-Time
Hillcrest Health & Living is looking for an experienced, organized, and service-focused Culinary Director to lead the culinary department at Hillcrest Millard in Omaha, NE.
Hillcrest Millard is West Omaha’s premier destination for post-acute rehabilitation and long-term care. This state-of-the-art community combines innovative therapy, exceptional hospitality, private accommodations, and quality care to help guests and residents recover, maintain independence, and feel supported in a welcoming environment.
At Hillcrest, our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives. As the Culinary Director, you will play an important leadership role in creating a dining experience that supports resident satisfaction, quality care, nutrition, compliance, and a positive team culture.
What You’ll Do
As the Culinary Director, you will plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Culinary Department in accordance with state and federal regulations, facility policies, and Hillcrest standards.
You will:
- Lead daily culinary operations with a focus on food quality, service, sanitation, compliance, and resident satisfaction.
- Maintain current records for department expenditures, food costs, inventory, and expense accounts.
- Monitor department spending and help ensure expenses remain within budgeted amounts.
- Develop and implement training programs to keep team members informed of best practices, regulatory changes, and facility expectations.
- Lead team meetings and support ongoing education for culinary team members.
- Ensure kitchen sanitation is maintained in compliance with federal and state regulations and facility policies.
- Support patient and resident care planning, including MDS and required documentation.
- Develop and maintain the nutritional software system, including CBORD and menu cycles that meet dietary criteria.
- Oversee preparation of menu items and ensure food quality, appearance, presentation, and diet-order accuracy.
- Partner with the Administrator on department staffing, team member performance, hiring, terminations, and wage or salary recommendations.
- Review department policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, and related materials at least annually.
- Recommend changes that improve department operations, team performance, resident satisfaction, and quality outcomes.
- Model professionalism, organization, follow-through, and a service-focused approach with residents, guests, families, and team members.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a culinary leader who is accountable, organized, and confident managing both people and operations.
The right candidate will be able to lead a team, manage department priorities, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure meals are prepared and served with quality, accuracy, and care. This role is a strong fit for someone who takes ownership, follows through, and understands how important the dining experience is to resident comfort and satisfaction.
Ideal candidates will have:
- At least three years of supervisory experience in a culinary role required.
- Certified Dietary Manager strongly preferred.
- Skilled nursing facility experience strongly preferred.
- At least one year of experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
- Strong knowledge of culinary operations, dietary standards, sanitation, food safety, and regulatory expectations.
- Experience managing food costs, inventory, department records, and budget expectations.
- Ability to lead, coach, train, and support culinary team members.
- Strong critical thinking, planning, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to take initiative and implement department objectives that support positive outcomes.
- Strong attention to detail with menus, diet orders, documentation, sanitation, and presentation.
- A calm, flexible, and professional approach in a fast-paced environment.
- A service-focused mindset and commitment to creating a positive dining experience for residents and guests.
Education & Credentials
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Certified Dietary Manager required; strongly preferred for consideration.
- At least three years of culinary supervisory experience required.
- Skilled nursing facility, healthcare culinary, or senior living experience strongly preferred.
Why Hillcrest?
At Hillcrest Millard, dining is about more than food. It is part of the resident and guest experience and plays an important role in comfort, dignity, recovery, and quality of life.
As the Culinary Director, your leadership will directly impact meal quality, team development, resident satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and the overall success of the community.
What Hillcrest Offers
- Competitive compensation.
- Multiple health insurance plan options.
- Vision, dental, and life insurance.
- Professional development support, including tuition reimbursement, certifications, and career-growth programs.
- Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
- Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
- Opportunities to grow within a mission-driven senior care organization.
Physical & Other Requirements
- Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
- Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
- Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, and movement as needed.
- Must be flexible, calm, and professional in stressful or changing situations.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
- Must be able to utilize technology, dietary systems, kitchen equipment, and department resources efficiently and effectively.
- Must be able to follow sanitation, infection-control, food safety, and regulatory expectations.
- Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
- Other duties as assigned.
Ready to Lead a Culinary Team That Makes a Difference?
If you are an experienced culinary leader who takes pride in quality, service, compliance, and team development, we invite you to apply for the Culinary Director – Hillcrest Millard role.
Join Hillcrest Health & Living and help us continue inspiring people to live their best lives through great food, meaningful service, and genuine hospitality.
