Culinary Director

When you work at Havenwood of Buffalo, you have a front-row seat to the amazing life stories of some of the wisest people on earth. Even more importantly, you become part of an extraordinary team dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors every day.

At Havenwood, we believe in investing in our employees because they are the future of senior living. Don't just take a job. Become part of an extraordinary life.

Havenwood of Buffalo is seeking a hospitality-focused Director of Culinary Services to lead our dining services team. This position provides full-scope, hands-on management of the Culinary Services Department and is responsible for maintaining exceptional quality, cleanliness, customer service, and resident satisfaction. The Director of Culinary Services is a key member of the community leadership team and is expected to uphold our mission, values, and commitment to hospitality excellence.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, professional, and upscale dining program that creates an exceptional experience for residents and guests.
• Lead and supervise all Culinary Services staff, including recruiting, hiring, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Plan, develop, and implement menu cycles that meet nutritional and dietary requirements and comply with all applicable regulations.
• Ensure dietary modifications are prepared and served according to physician orders and company policies.
• Meet or exceed departmental budget and financial objectives.
• Participate in hands‑on food preparation, service, and dishwashing when needed.
• Maintain a team of professional, well‑trained, and properly uniformed staff.
• Regularly engage with residents to evaluate food quality, service, presentation, and satisfaction while implementing improvements as needed.
• Foster a culture that supports employee engagement, resident satisfaction, occupancy growth, and overall community success.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred, ideally in Culinary Arts or a related field.
• Successful completion of a recognized Food Safety Certification program.
• Minimum of five years of experience as an Executive Chef, Chef, or similar culinary leadership role in a hotel, restaurant, club, healthcare, or comparable environment.
• Minimum of three years of experience managing food service operations and personnel.
• Senior living, healthcare, or long-term care culinary experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and customer service skills.

Starting Salary: $65,000+ annually (DOE)

Benefits Include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Retention Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Paid Time Off and other company benefits

Havenwood of Buffalo is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).