$24-28/hr (depending on experience) Who We Are Forest Ridge Health and Rehab is an 80-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Woodland Park Co. We provide long-term care, short-term post-acute rehabilitation, and memory services to residents and their families. We believe dining is one of the most important parts of a resident's day. For many of our residents, mealtime is the anchor of their routine: a source of comfort, dignity, and connection. Our kitchen is central to the care we deliver, and the person who leads it has real influence over quality of life in this building. Our culture is hands-on and collaborative. Department heads work shoulder-to-shoulder with nursing, therapy, and administration, and we expect leaders to be visible on the floor and in the dining room, not just behind a desk. Position Summary The Dietary Manager directs all operations of the Dietary Department, including menu execution, food procurement, sanitation, staffing, budget performance, and regulatory compliance. This role ensures every resident receives meals that meet their physician-ordered diet, honor their preferences, and are served safely, on time, and at the right temperature. The Dietary Manager works in close partnership with the Registered Dietitian, nursing leadership, and the Administrator to translate clinical nutrition plans into food residents actually want to eat. Key Responsibilities Own the department's operating budget, raw food cost, supplies, and labor and track cost per patient day (CPPD) against targets, investigating and correcting variances Recruit, schedule, train, supervise, and evaluate cooks, dietary aides, and dishwashing staff, ensuring adequate coverage across all meal periods including weekends and holidays. Maintaining and implementing a healthy culture where the kitchen staff enjoys coming to work Execute Registered Dietitian approved menus, including all therapeutic and texture-modified diets (renal, cardiac, carbohydrate-controlled, mechanical soft, pureed, IDDSI-aligned liquid consistencies) Oversee tray line accuracy against current diet orders and resident preference cards; monitor food temperature, taste, and presentation through routine test trays and meal rounds Manage resident preferences, allergies, and substitutions, and respond directly to resident council and family feedback Forecast food and supply needs based on census, menu cycles, and seasonality; manage purchasing through approved vendors and GPO contracts to capture volume pricing and rebates Maintain the department in continuous survey readiness under CMS Requirements of Participation, the FDA Food Code, and state and local health department regulations Conduct routine self-audits and mock surveys to identify and close gaps proactively; lead the department's response to inspections, including plans of correction through to substantial compliance Ensure accurate documentation of diet orders, diet changes, and meal intake in coordination with nursing and the Registered Dietitian Participate in the facility's QAPI program, contributing dietary metrics and improvement initiatives Coordinate special events, holiday meals, catering, and family functions Qualifications Required ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification (or ability to obtain shortly after hire) 4+ years of food service experience, including 1+ years in a supervisory role Working knowledge of therapeutic diets and texture modification Familiarity with long-term care regulations and survey processes Strong math and budgeting skills; comfort with spreadsheets and food service management software Preferred Prior Dietary Manager experience in a skilled nursing or long-term care setting Experience with Point Click Care and Dining RD Track record of survey outcomes with no dietary deficiencies Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a kitchen environment with varying temperatures What We Offer Competitive salary Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) Paid time off and paid holidays Forest Ridge Health and Rehab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Pay:
$24.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance
