Director Food and Nutritional Services

About Acadia Healthcare

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States. We operate a growing network of 253 plus behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 11,200 beds in 38 states and Puerto Rico. With more than 23,500 employees serving approximately 75,000 patients daily, Acadia is the largest stand‑alone behavioral health company in the U.S.

Director of Food & Nutritional Services – Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital

We are looking for our Director of Food & Nutritional Services at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital. Methodist Health System, the region’s most established not‑for‑profit provider, has partnered with Acadia Healthcare to open a new 96‑bed inpatient behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This marks Acadia’s first acute psychiatric facility in Iowa, expanding much‑needed access to behavioral health services across Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha area.

Scheduled to open in June 2026, the hospital will offer a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient care for adults, seniors, and youth.

Responsible for the daily operation of department(s) that prepare and serve food and beverages and provide operational direction needed to determine policies related to nutritional care for persons receiving services.

• Provide staff management including hiring, development, training, performance management and communication to ensure effective and efficient department operation.
• Provide orientation, training and evaluation of staff per facility policies and standards.
• Understand policies and their impact on the daily operation of the department.
• Ensure menus served are nutritionally adequate and well received.
• Identify and report to the dietitian any problems in the implementation of the care plan or special diet orders.
• Assist the dietitian with establishing or revising dietary policies and menu.
• Determine budget requirements for the department and review/approve expenditures.
• Establish policies and procedures for the department.
• Observe and analyze work processes to improve the efficiency of operations.
• Check quality and quantity of supplies received and follow up on any discrepancies.
• Check incoming food and supplies for quality, correct amount, correct price and direct the storage of received goods or equipment.
• Document and manage departmental costs.
• Supervise the use of standardized recipes for food preparation.
• Plan and assist in the preparation of special meals for events.
• Direct and assist with departmental cleaning not performed by housekeeping.
• Provide direction and supervision to managers or supervisors who assist in providing food service support for the facility.

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management, Human Nutrition or a related field preferred.
• Six or more years of experience in food services with four or more years of supervisory experience required.

• Serv Safe Certification or similar food safety certification, as required by the state and facility.
• Completion of the required coursework and passing score on the Certified Dietary Manager examination, or active pursuit of license/certification, as required by the state and facility.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment, regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal, and local laws.