Culinary Director​/Executive Chef

Job Title: Executive Chef / Culinary Operations Director
Company: Sunflower Communities – Elmore Assisted Living
Location: Elmore, MN
Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday + Weekend Rotation
Compensation: $80,000–$100,000 Annually

You've spent years mastering your craft, managing demanding kitchens, leading teams, and delivering exceptional dining experiences. But what if your next culinary leadership opportunity offered a $80,000–$100,000 salary, a primarily weekday schedule, and the chance to build something you're genuinely proud of?

At Sunflower Communities – Elmore Assisted Living
, we're looking for an experienced Executive Chef / Culinary Operations Director who wants more than another restaurant management job.

We're offering an opportunity to take ownership of an entire dining program, lead a dedicated culinary team, and create an experience where great food and genuine hospitality make a difference every day.

The best part? You don't need senior living experience to succeed here. If you've managed a successful restaurant kitchen, hotel dining operation, or high-volume food service program, your experience could translate beautifully into this role.

Imagine a position where:

• You’re home more evenings: A primarily Monday–Friday schedule with rotating weekend responsibilities, rather than the constant late nights of restaurant management.

• You have real ownership: Your ideas, menus, leadership style, and operational decisions help shape the dining experience.

• You lead a team, not just a shift: Build a kitchen culture centered on accountability, teamwork, consistency, and pride.

• You know your guests: Develop meaningful connections with residents and learn what makes their dining experiences special.

• Your work has a purpose: Every meal contributes to someone's comfort, happiness, and quality of life.

This is a chance to use everything you've learned throughout your culinary career in an environment that values both exceptional food and exceptional people.

We're looking for someone who can combine the creativity of a chef, the business mindset of an operator, and the leadership skills of a great manager.

• Develop flavorful, nutritious, and visually appealing menus that make mealtime something residents look forward to.

• Introduce creative specials, seasonal dishes, and memorable dining experiences.

• Maintain high standards for food preparation, presentation, consistency, and service.

• Adapt menus to accommodate allergies, therapeutic diets, and modified-texture requirements.

• Listen to resident feedback and continuously improve the dining experience.

• Oversee, mentor, and develop cooks and dietary team members.

• Manage staffing, scheduling, training, and daily kitchen responsibilities.

• Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable.

• Create a positive, professional kitchen environment where people enjoy coming to work.

• Lead by example and jump into food preparation or service whenever needed.

• Manage food purchasing, inventory, vendor relationships, and kitchen budgets.

• Monitor food costs, control waste, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

• Maintain excellent sanitation, food safety, and regulatory compliance standards.

• Coordinate with community leadership and nursing staff to ensure resident dietary needs are met.

• Develop reliable kitchen systems that deliver consistent results.

You're an experienced culinary professional who knows how to run a kitchen, develop employees, and deliver a dining experience people appreciate.

You may be a great fit if you…