Director of Culinary Experience

Make a Real Difference, Every Single Day 

As a nonprofit leader in aging, Eskaton helps people live well, longer — with trusted guidance at every stage. We believe aging should be a vibrant, supported, and celebrated journey, not an experience to face alone. For over 55 years, Eskaton has been a cornerstone of Northern California, growing a network of 23 communities dedicated to older adults and the people who care for them. When you join us, you're not just starting a job. You're stepping into a career where your work creates a real impact on people's daily lives and strengthening the communities we call home. 

We Invest in You (Because You Invest in Others) 

We know that to take great care of our residents, we must take great care of you. We are genuinely committed to your health, your happiness, and your future. That’s why we offer: 

• Financial Security: Competitive pay and a 401K matching program to help you plan for your own future. 

• Total Wellbeing: Comprehensive benefits that support your physical and mental health. 

• A Place Where You Belong: We celebrate diversity and equity across the entire aging spectrum, ensuring every team member feels seen and valued. 

Our DNA (Core Values) 

We’re looking for people who align with our mission and want to grow with us: 

• Welcoming: You’re a natural at creating warmth and a sense of belonging for everyone you meet. 

• Bring (Y)our Best: You take pride in your work and strive for excellence in the "little things" and the "big things" alike. 

• Empowerment: You don't wait for permission to do the right thing. You step up, take ownership, and lead with initiative. 
• Growth: You’re a lifelong learner who seeks consistent improvement and sustainable growth. 

Essential Job Functions

• Provides assessment of the culinary experience in order to outline the resident satisfaction, community needs, and establish priorities.
• Directly supervises the culinary department employees
• Must be competent in the preparation, cooking, presenting, and serving of high quality and therapeutic diet meals for residents.
• Ensures quality of food items ordered and served.
• Recruits, hires, orients, evaluates, and trains employees which includes: on-the-job training, on going in service education, adherence to policies and procedures, as well as applicable regulations.
• Carries out the approved menu cycle, making the proper adjustments and communication when necessary.
• Orders supplies, maintains an appropriate inventory, and ensures proper storage of foods and kitchen supplies.
• Maintains standards of safety, sanitation, and cleanliness in the food services department.
• Designs, develops, and implements food service policies and procedures. Provides preventive maintenance programs and budgetary guidelines for the department.
• Responsible for ensuring quality assurance. Routinely conducts audits to ensure accuracy, quality, and consistency.
• Works in accordance with safety guidelines established by Eskaton with emphasis on the use of proper body mechanics and safe work practices.

Other Job Functions

• Models and embodies Eskaton’s core values, including: 
  • Creating a sense of warmth, welcoming and belonging for all 
  • Fostering excellence in everything we do 
  • Seeking consistent improvement, learning and sustainable growth 
  • Stepping up, taking ownership and leading with initiative
• Fully complies with all provisions in Eskaton’s Corporate Compliance Policy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).   
• Maintains attendance as outlined in Eskaton policy. 
  
• Follows required dress code and Eskaton’s Community Appearance Standards.  Maintains a professional image to the public and residents.  
• Works in accordance with established safety guidelines; uses proper body mechanics; follows safe work practices; wears appropriate safety gear.

Starting annual pay ranges from $80,000 to $90,000. Factors such as scope, responsibilities, experience, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and market considerations may influence base pay.

Qualifications

Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent G.E.D.  Food Service Management Degree or commensurate work experience.  ServSafe certification required.

Training and Experience:
A minimum of three years' work experience supervising food service operations.  Experience with high volume scratch cooking preferred.

Job Knowledge:
Ability to understand and work harmoniously with residents, staff and healthcare professionals.  Ability to maintain high professional and ethical standards.  Computer proficiency is strongly recommended.

The final candidate must successfully pass Eskaton's post offer, pre-employment testing which includes a criminal background check, drug test, TB screen test and health screen.  All new hires are required to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.

Eskaton is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.