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Director Of Culinary Services Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're hiring a Director of Culinary Services - a passionate and experienced leader who brings excellence, creativity, and heart to our dining experience. This role blends hospitality, leadership, and ...

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Director of Culinary Services to join our team. Responsibilities: * Develops and implements food services policies, procedures, and s. Plans ...

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Director of Culinary Services to join our team. Responsibilities: * Develops and implements food services policies, procedures, and s. Plans ...

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Director Of Culinary Services information

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$43.5K

$127.5K

$239K

How much do director of culinary services jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of culinary services in the United States is $127,543.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,000.00 and $150,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key challenges a director of culinary services typically faces when managing a diverse culinary team?

A Director of Culinary Services often navigates challenges such as balancing creativity with consistency, ensuring high food quality and safety standards, and managing a team with varying skill levels and backgrounds. Coordinating between kitchen staff, front-of-house teams, and suppliers requires strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, adapting menus to meet changing client preferences and dietary needs while maintaining budget constraints is a common aspect of the role. Building a positive, collaborative environment is essential for team morale and operational success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of culinary services?

To thrive as a Director of Culinary Services, you need in-depth culinary expertise, menu planning abilities, management experience, and typically a degree in culinary arts or hospitality management. Familiarity with food safety regulations, inventory management systems, and kitchen management software is important. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills set exceptional candidates apart in this role. These competencies ensure high-quality food service, team efficiency, and compliance with standards in demanding dining environments.

What is a director of culinary services?

A Director of Culinary Services is a senior professional responsible for overseeing all aspects of food preparation, menu planning, and kitchen operations within an organization such as a hotel, healthcare facility, or large dining establishment. They manage culinary staff, ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards, and develop menus that meet the dietary needs and preferences of clients or guests. This role also involves budgeting, purchasing, and maintaining quality control to deliver an excellent dining experience. Directors of Culinary Services often collaborate with other departments to provide seamless and efficient food service operations.

What is the difference between Director Of Culinary Services vs Executive Chef?

AspectDirector Of Culinary ServicesExecutive Chef
Primary FocusOversees culinary operations, menu development, and staff management across multiple outlets or facilitiesManages kitchen operations, food preparation, and culinary staff within a specific restaurant or kitchen
CredentialsOften requires culinary degree, management experience, and certifications like ServSafeTypically requires culinary degree or extensive experience, with certifications like ServSafe
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, large-scale food service operations, hospitality organizationsRestaurant kitchens, hotels, resorts
Industry UsageCommon in hospitality, healthcare, and large food service organizationsPrimarily in restaurants, hotels, and resorts

The main difference is that the Director Of Culinary Services oversees multiple culinary operations and staff at an organizational level, while the Executive Chef focuses on the culinary and kitchen management within a specific establishment. Both roles require culinary expertise and management skills, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Director Of Culinary Services jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Of Culinary Services jobs? Cities with the most Director Of Culinary Services job openings:
What states have the most Director Of Culinary Services jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Of Culinary Services jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Of Culinary Services job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,543 per year, or $61.3 per hour.

Director of Culinary Services

Clarks Summit Senior Living

Clarks Summit, PA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

About Seaton Senior Living

Seaton Senior Living, part of the Discovery Senior Living family of companies, is a recognized industry leader in performance, innovation, and lifestyle personalization. As one of the nation’s leading senior living operators, Seaton Senior Living serves nearly 2,000 residents across the Mid Atlantic. Our communities are located throughout the Mid Atlantic—including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virigina, and Maryland—where we are dedicated to creating exceptional experiences for our residents through operational excellence, personalized care, and a commitment to enriching lives every day.

Discover Your Purpose with Us at Clarks Summit Senior Living!

As Director of Culinary Services, you’ll play an essential role in enriching the lives of seniors, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference every single day.

Your Role:

As the Director of Culinary Services, your role includes providing both strategic oversight and hands-on leadership of the Culinary Services Department. This includes responsibility for menu planning, staffing, food quality, safety, and budget performance. You’ll play a vital role in resident satisfaction by creating memorable dining experiences while ensuring operational excellence.

Position Highlights:

  • Status: FULL TIME
  • Schedule: Traditional leadership workweek with flexibility required based on business and operational needs that includes Manager on Duty hours as well as on call for emergency situations
  • Location: Clarks Summit, PA
  • Rate of Pay: $55K-$60K based on experience, with a 10% bonus structure

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead daily culinary operations while participating in meal preparation and service
  • Plan and execute menus that meet resident dietary guidelines and preferences
  • Monitor food quality, consistency, and presentation; implement improvements as needed
  • Ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, and dietary standards
  • Conduct food safety audits and quality assurance checks
  • Oversee purchasing, inventory control, and vendor contracts
  • Manage budgets, monitor costs, and take corrective action when needed
  • Manage, recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate culinary staff
  • Lead orientation and in-service training programs for team members
  • Engage with residents during mealtimes to ensure satisfaction and resolve concerns
  • Collaborate with Executive Director and department heads to align food services with community goals

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership in high-volume, high-standard environments (e.g., country clubs, resorts, cruise ships)
  • Hands-on experience leading kitchen operations, including cooking and staff oversight
  • Food Safety Certification required
  • Strong knowledge of sanitation, food handling, and loss prevention practices
  • Culinary training or certification preferred
  • Experience with menu engineering, cost controls, and vendor management
  • Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and kitchen management systems
  • Experience in senior living culinary services is a plus—but only if paired with demonstrated high service standards
  • Ability to work in kitchen environments
  • Oversight of food safety audits and inspections
  • Exposure to high-pressure operational deadlines
  • Ability to lift or assist with kitchen operations as needed
  • Participation in rotating on-call schedule or Manager on Duty (MOD) responsibilities required

Why Join Us

Discovery Senior Living Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2027!

A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It’s just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members.

Find out what makes working at Discovery unique in the world of senior living. Discover Your Purpose!

Our Culture & Values

So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we’re unified by certain, core values, which we call our “Pillars of Excellence.” They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY.

Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.

Benefits You’ll Enjoy

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive pay, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off and holidays, a 401(k) with employer match, paid training and career growth opportunities, wellness-related benefits, and additional support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/V

A Note to Applicants

This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.

Employment Scam Warning

We only post jobs on our official careers site and accept applications through that platform. We do not conduct interviews via text or social media or ask for personal or banking information.

Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening

Discovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state-mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint-based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access.

Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state-specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members.

Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com.