Job Description

The Chef Manager is responsible for the daily leadership of culinary operations, ensuring high-quality meal production, exceptional service, and compliance with all food safety and regulatory standards. This role oversees menu execution, staff development, purchasing, and financial performance while creating a positive dining experience for residents, patients, and guests.

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 Operations

• Direct daily food production for resident dining, café/retail, and catered events
• Ensure consistent execution of recipes, portion control, and presentation standards
• Oversee production sheets, batch cooking, and meal service timelines
• Monitor food quality, taste, temperature, and appearance
• Support menu development and seasonal programming

Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervise cooks, leads, and utility staff; provide coaching and performance feedback
• Conduct onboarding, training, and competency validation
• Build schedules aligned with census and service demands
• Promote teamwork, hospitality, and service excellence

Food Safety & Compliance

• Enforce HACCP, ServSafe, allergen, and infection prevention standards
• Maintain temperature logs, sanitation records, and audit readiness
• Ensure compliance with state/local health regulations and company policies
• Lead corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives

Financial & Inventory Management

• Manage food cost, labor productivity, and waste control
• Oversee ordering, receiving, FIFO rotation, and inventory accuracy
• Assist with recipe costing and menu engineering
• Maintain purchasing and vendor relationships

Travel

Role requires occasional travel by car or plane to support multiple locations or meetings

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.

Qualifications

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
• Salary: $90,000

Education/Experience/Training

Culinary degree preferred or equivalent experience

2–4 years culinary leadership in healthcare, senior living, or high-volume food service

Experience with production systems and staff supervision

Knowledge of therapeutic diets preferred

License and Certification

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