Director of Food and Nutrition
Position Overview
We are seeking a strategic and operationally strong Director of Food & Nutrition Services to lead all aspects of dietary operations at our 100-bed regional medical center. This executive leader will be responsible for clinical nutrition services, patient meal delivery, retail/cafeteria operations, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and team leadership.
The ideal candidate brings deep hospital experience, strong regulatory expertise (including Joint Commission standards), and a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across food production, patient services, and clinical nutrition.
This role reports directly to senior hospital leadership and plays a key role in patient satisfaction, quality outcomes, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical & Regulatory Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, state, and local regulatory standards
- Oversee clinical nutrition program, including medical nutrition therapy and documentation
- Serve as department leader during surveys and audits
- Maintain policies, HACCP plans, infection control compliance, and food safety standards
- Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, and quality teams to improve patient outcomes
Operations Management
- Direct daily operations of patient meal services, tray line, production, and retail/cafeteria
- Oversee menu development, therapeutic diets, and nutrition standards
- Implement efficient production systems and service workflows
- Ensure high patient satisfaction and Press Ganey performance
- Manage equipment, purchasing, and vendor relationships
Financial & Business Management
- Develop and manage departmental operating budget
- Control food, labor, and supply costs
- Analyze productivity metrics (meals per labor hour, cost per patient day, etc.)
- Drive retail revenue performance
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team including:
- Registered Dietitians
- Clinical Nutrition Staff
- Food Production Supervisors
- Patient Services Managers
- Retail/Cafeteria Team
- Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and service excellence
- Conduct hiring, performance management, and workforce planning