Dietary Director
Job Description
Absaroka Senior Living | Cody, Wyoming
Why Join Absaroka Senior Living?At Absaroka Senior Living, joining our team means more than accepting a leadership position—it means becoming part of an organization that values your expertise, supports professional growth, and recognizes the important role nutrition and dining services play in resident health, satisfaction, and quality of life.
'14; Supportive, team-oriented environment
'14; Opportunities for leadership development and career advancement
'14; Leadership that values and listens to staff
'14; Meaningful work where you directly impact resident health and satisfaction
Absaroka Senior Living is seeking an experienced, organized, and resident-focused Dietary Director to lead our Food and Nutrition Services department.
The Dietary Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the dietary department, including food preparation and service, staffing, scheduling, sanitation, food safety, inventory management, purchasing, regulatory compliance, and resident satisfaction.
This position works closely with facility leadership, nursing, the Registered Dietitian, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure residents receive nutritious, appealing, and appropriate meals consistent with their individual needs, preferences, physician orders, and care plans.
As a department leader, the Dietary Director is also responsible for developing and supporting dietary employees, maintaining accountability within the department, managing labor and food costs, and ensuring the department remains prepared for regulatory surveys and inspections.
Key ResponsibilitiesDietary Operations & Resident Services
Direct and oversee daily operations of the Food and Nutrition Services department
Ensure meals, snacks, and beverages are prepared and served safely, timely, and according to established menus
Ensure resident diets, food preferences, allergies, textures, and therapeutic diet requirements are accurately followed
Collaborate with the Registered Dietitian, nursing department, and interdisciplinary team regarding residents' nutritional needs
Monitor resident meal satisfaction, food preferences, and concerns and implement improvements when appropriate
Conduct routine dining observations and kitchen rounds to monitor food quality, service, cleanliness, and resident experience
Ensure appropriate meal service for residents requiring modified textures, nutritional supplements, or other dietary interventions
Support special events, holiday meals, resident activities, and other facility dining programs
Staff Leadership & Department Management
Recruit, orient, train, schedule, supervise, and support dietary employees
Develop staff schedules that maintain appropriate departmental coverage while effectively managing labor utilization
Provide ongoing coaching, education, performance feedback, and corrective guidance to dietary employees
Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, productivity, and adherence to departmental expectations
Conduct department meetings and required in-service education
Ensure dietary employees understand resident-specific dietary requirements and food safety responsibilities
Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and respectful communication within the department
Collaborate with Human Resources and facility leadership regarding recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and staffing needs
Food Safety, Sanitation & Compliance
Maintain compliance with applicable food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, and healthcare requirements
Ensure appropriate food temperatures are maintained, monitored, and documented throughout preparation, holding, and service
Monitor proper food storage, labeling, dating, rotation, and disposal practices
Ensure kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, storage areas, refrigerators, freezers, and dining areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition
Monitor employee hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, food handling practices, and infection prevention procedures
Maintain required dietary documentation, temperature logs, sanitation records, cleaning schedules, and other departmental records
Conduct routine departmental audits and immediately address identified deficiencies
Ensure chemicals and cleaning supplies are appropriately labeled, stored, and used according to safety requirements
Maintain ongoing readiness for state surveys, health department inspections, and other regulatory reviews
Menu Planning & Nutritional Services
Coordinate menus with the Registered Dietitian and other appropriate clinical professionals
Ensure menus meet residents' nutritional requirements while considering preferences, cultural considerations, and resident satisfaction
Ensure therapeutic diets and physician-ordered dietary modifications are implemented appropriately
Participate in resident care planning and interdisciplinary meetings when dietary or nutritional concerns require involvement
Communicate changes in resident intake, weight, appetite, swallowing concerns, or other nutritional issues to appropriate clinical personnel
Assist with developing interventions to address nutritional risk and resident dining concerns
Maintain appropriate menu substitutions and documentation when changes are necessary
Budget, Purchasing & Inventory Management
Manage departmental food, supply, equipment, and labor expenses within established budget expectations
Maintain appropriate food and supply inventory levels while minimizing unnecessary waste
Coordinate purchasing and ordering of food, beverages, supplies, and dietary equipment
Monitor vendor deliveries for accuracy, quality, appropriate temperatures, and product condition
Review food usage, waste, purchasing patterns, and other operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
Maintain organized inventory and storage systems
Communicate budgetary needs, equipment concerns, and operational priorities to facility leadership
Quality Improvement & Leadership
Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities related to dietary services, nutrition, sanitation, and resident satisfaction
Investigate dietary complaints or service concerns and implement appropriate corrective actions
Monitor department performance and develop improvement plans when opportunities are identified
Participate in facility leadership meetings, resident council discussions, and interdisciplinary meetings as appropriate
Collaborate with nursing, activities, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, and other departments to support resident needs
Promote a resident-centered dining culture focused on dignity, choice, hospitality, and quality
High school diploma or equivalent required
Degree or formal education in food service management, nutrition, dietetics, hospitality, culinary services, or a related field preferred
Must meet applicable federal and Wyoming requirements for the individual responsible for food and nutrition services
Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential preferred, or ability to meet applicable qualification requirements
Previous dietary, food service, or culinary experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, senior living, healthcare, or a similar environment strongly preferred
Previous supervisory or department leadership experience preferred
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, therapeutic diets, modified textures, and healthcare dietary operations
Strong leadership and employee-management capabilities
Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage staffing, schedules, inventory, purchasing, and departmental priorities simultaneously
Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance
Ability to collaborate effectively with residents, families, employees, Registered Dietitians, and interdisciplinary team members
Commitment to providing high-quality, resident-centered nutritional and dining services
Competitive compensation
401(k) retirement plan
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Care Cash Program
Employee Referral Bonus Program
Professional development and advancement opportunities
Supportive and collaborative leadership environment
At Absaroka Senior Living, we are committed to developing strong department leaders.
As Dietary Director, you will have the opportunity to expand your expertise in healthcare food service operations, employee leadership, regulatory compliance, budgeting, quality improvement, and resident-centered dining.
We believe investing in our leaders creates stronger departments, stronger teams, and a better experience for the residents we serve.
About UsAbsaroka Senior Living proudly serves the Cody, Wyoming community by providing compassionate senior care focused on dignity, respect, safety, and quality of life.
Our dining program is an important part of the resident experience. We recognize that food is more than nutrition—it provides comfort, choice, routine, social connection, and an important sense of home.
We foster a workplace where employees are valued, supported, held to high professional standards, and empowered to make a meaningful difference every day.
Apply TodayIf you are an experienced dietary professional who is passionate about resident satisfaction, food quality, team leadership, and operational excellence, we want to hear from you.
Apply today to join Absaroka Senior Living as our Dietary Director and help lead a dining program centered on quality, safety, and resident satisfaction.
Equal Opportunity EmployerAbsaroka Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Reasonable AccommodationAbsaroka Senior Living is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants requiring assistance should contact Human Resources.
Physical RequirementsAbility to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the kitchen, dining areas, and facility
Ability to bend, reach, push, pull, and perform duties associated with food service operations
Ability to lift and carry food products, supplies, and equipment as required, with assistance when appropriate
Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, including kitchen, refrigeration, and freezer areas
Ability to respond promptly to dietary, resident service, staffing, and food safety concerns
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
