Director of Dining Services / Executive Chef

Job Description

As our Director of Dining Serevices / Executive Chef, you'll bring strong culinary expertise and operational leadership to a senior living dining program with three full-service restaurants. Approximately 60% of your time in the kitchen, working alongside the existing team to improve food quality, consistency, and daily execution. You'll use your culinary experience to strengthen kitchen standards, coach, and develop employees, and ensure quality ingredients are prepared and served to the highest standards. Beyond the kitchen, you'll manage food purchasing, inventory, menu costing, and financial performance while building strong relationships with client leadership and residents. This is a hands-on role for someone who knows how to run a kitchen, understands the business behind it, and can balance culinary excellence with strong operational and financial results.

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Pennsylvania.

Job Responsibilities

Elevate Culinary Standards

1. Maintain high standards for food quality, preparation, presentation, and consistency.

2. Work alongside the culinary team to improve daily kitchen operations and food service.

3. Support menu planning and execution, balancing quality, resident preferences, and food costs.

4. Ensure food safety, sanitation, and kitchen procedures are consistently followed.

Strengthen Operational Performance

1. Manage food purchasing, ordering, and inventory to ensure quality ingredients and control costs.

2. Monitor food costs, menu costing, waste, and budget performance.

3. Identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency and operating practices.

4. Partner with client and operational leadership to solve problems and maintain service during dining transitions.

5. Build relationships with residents and use their feedback to improve the dining experience.

Coach and Develop the Team

1. Coach, train, and mentor culinary employees through hands-on guidance.

2. Demonstrate proper food preparation techniques and kitchen best practices.

3. Identify skill gaps and help the team improve quality, consistency, and execution.

4. Work collaboratively with existing kitchen leadership to reinforce standards and expectations.

The responsibilities outlined above are intended to describe the primary functions of this role and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in a professional kitchen.

• Experience managing food purchasing, inventory, food costs, and kitchen operations.

• Strong knowledge of food preparation, quality standards, and food safety practices.

• Experience training, coaching, and developing culinary teams.

• Strong communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with clients and kitchen staff.

Preferred:

• Culinary degree or equivalent formal training.

• Certified Dietary Manager CDM certification.

• Previous culinary or food service leadership experience in senior living, hotels, country clubs, or upscale dining.

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .