What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dietary Manager position at The Landmark Center?
Nursing Home Dietary Manager
Position Summary
The Dietary Manager is responsible for overseeing all food service operations in the nursing home, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and compliant with state and federal regulations. This role ensures residents receive high-quality meals that meet medical, cultural, and personal needs while maintaining budget, staffing, and sanitation standards.
Key Responsibilities
Food Service & Nutrition
In skilled nursing and long-term care, the Dietary Manager directly impacts:
Position Summary
The Dietary Manager is responsible for overseeing all food service operations in the nursing home, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and compliant with state and federal regulations. This role ensures residents receive high-quality meals that meet medical, cultural, and personal needs while maintaining budget, staffing, and sanitation standards.
Key Responsibilities
Food Service & Nutrition
- Plan, prepare, and oversee nutritionally balanced menus in accordance with physician-ordered diets
- Ensure meals meet residents’ dietary restrictions (diabetic, renal, pureed, mechanical soft, etc.)
- Monitor food quality, taste, presentation, and portion control
- Coordinate with nursing and therapy teams on special dietary needs
- Maintain compliance with CMS, state health department, and dietary regulations
- Prepare for and manage state surveys, inspections, and audits
- Maintain proper documentation for food safety, temperature logs, and sanitation
- Hire, train, schedule, and supervise dietary staff (cooks, aides, dishwashers)
- Ensure adequate staffing for all meal services
- Conduct performance evaluations and coaching
- Oversee inventory, food ordering, and cost control
- Ensure proper storage, labeling, and rotation of food
- Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen and dining areas
- Monitor resident satisfaction and respond to concerns or preferences
- Work with the interdisciplinary team to support resident-centered dining
- Participate in care plan meetings when needed
- High school diploma or GED required
- Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or ability to obtain within required timeframe
- Food Safety Certification (ServSafe preferred)
- Experience in long-term care, hospital, or healthcare food service strongly preferred
- Knowledge of therapeutic diets and food safety regulations
- Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills
In skilled nursing and long-term care, the Dietary Manager directly impacts:
- Resident health outcomes
- Survey success & compliance
- Family satisfaction
- Census & reputation