Assistant Dietary Manager
Assistant Dietary Managers in skilled nursing play an important role in supporting the health, comfort, and overall dining experience of residents. This position goes beyond assisting with meal service—it helps ensure daily operations run smoothly while upholding high standards of nutrition, safety, and quality. The Assistant Dietary Manager works closely with and reports directly to the Dietary Manager, helping lead the dietary team and maintain a positive, efficient, and resident-focused environment.
Operations Support
- Assist the Dietary Manager with interviewing, training, coaching, and evaluating dietary staff
- Support the development of work schedules to ensure adequate staffing for each shift
- Help monitor budgets and identify opportunities for cost-effective operations
- Assist with tracking forecasts, food waste, inventory, and equipment needs
- Work cooperatively with residents, facility staff, physicians, consultants, vendors, and service providers
- Support compliance with guidance from a Registered Dietitian or clinically qualified nutrition professional
Foodservice Support
- Assist in maintaining standards and procedures for food preparation
- Support menu planning, including resident preferences, substitutions, therapeutic diets, and industry trends
- Help inspect meals to ensure standards for appearance, taste, temperature, and service times are met
- Assist in coordinating special nourishments and supplemental feedings
- Ensure food is prepared according to production schedules, menus, and standardized recipes
Food Safety
- Support safe receiving, storage, preparation, and service of food
- Help ensure food is protected throughout all phases of preparation, holding, cooking, and service
- Follow HACCP guidelines and assist in maintaining compliance
- Assist with cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance to ensure food safety
- Reinforce proper sanitation and safety practices among staff
Nutrition and Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Assist with processing new diet orders and diet changes; help maintain accurate diet records
- Support completion of assigned documentation, including MDS sections, within required timelines
- Work with the Dietary Manager and Registered Dietitian to support resident dietary needs in compliance with physician orders
Recommended to meet one (1) of the following qualifications:
Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) issued by The Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (preferred)
OR Certified Food Service Manager (CFSM)
OR Equivalent national certification in food service management and safety
OR Associate’s degree or higher in food service management, hospitality, or related field (including food service or restaurant management coursework) from an accredited institution
Additional Requirements:
- One (1) to two (2) years of food service experience required; supervisory experience preferred
- Healthcare or long-term care experience preferred
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, staff, and external partners
- Ability to lift heavy items as needed