Dietary Services Lead

Job Details: Job Location: Riverview on the Appomattox Health & Rehab Center - HOPEWELL, VA, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $15.00 - $20.00Hourly, Job Shift: Any, Lead the Dinner Rush & Make Every Meal Matter: Evening Dining Service Lead (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM)Are you a natural leader who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen and loves making a real difference in people's lives? We are looking for an energetic, dependable Dining Service Lead to take charge of our 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM evening shift in our long-term care community.In this hands-on leadership role, you are the heartbeat of our evening dining operations—bridging the gap between afternoon prep, peak dinner service, and a spotless kitchen close. You won't just serve food; you'll bring warmth, dignity, and restaurant-quality hospitality to our residents every single night.What You’ll Do: Own the Evening Shift: Lead, motivate, and support our dietary aides and servers through afternoon prep, the dinner rush, and evening snack service. Champion Accuracy & Care: Oversee the tray line and dining room to ensure every resident gets the right meal, matching their exact dietary restrictions, allergies, and texture modifications. Elevate Hospitality: Greet residents with a smile, troubleshoot requests on the fly, and keep the dining room welcoming, calm, and running on schedule. Keep It Safe & Spotless: Enforce strict food safety, sanitation, and infection-control standards, wrapping up the night with a thorough closing routine that sets the morning crew up for success.What You Bring: Previous experience in food service, hospitality, or healthcare/long-term care dining (leadership or shift-lead experience is a huge plus!). A calm, upbeat attitude under pressure and a genuine passion for serving seniors. Strong attention to detail, clear communication skills, and reliability for the 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM schedule. ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain it upon hire).Why Join Us? Consistent Schedule: Enjoy predictable 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM hours—no late-night bar closes or 5:00 AM wake-up calls. Meaningful Impact: Build real connections with residents who look forward to seeing you every day. Growth & Perks: Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, paid time off, and clear pathways to grow into Dietary Manager or Food Service Director roles.Ready to bring your leadership skills to a table that truly appreciates them? Apply today!  Summary of Job DescriptionThe Dining Services Lead Supervisor assists the Director of Dining Services in overseeing the daily food production and service activities in the dietary department. The associate is responsible for handling and preparing food in accordance with approved menus, recipes, and sanitation standards.   Reports To:Director of Dining ServicesSupervises: Cook Dietary AideResponsibilities: Prepares or directs preparation of food served in the Center. Follows recipes, menus, and production sheets to ensure a quality product. Works cooperatively with dietary staff and other Center personnel. Complies with established food handling regulations including dietary policies and procedures, local health department instructions, and federal standards. Monitors and records food temperatures throughout the food preparation process including storage, cooking, holding, and serving. Serves meal items using proper portion control and following diet restrictions. Maintains a clean and safe working environment. Follows assigned cleaning schedule. Reports safety and equipment issues to the Director, Maintenance Director, or Administrator.  Assists Director with purchasing, storage, or inventory as directed. Assists Director with maintaining electronic meal service information. Assists Director with dietary staff work schedule. Assists Director with interviewing residents for food preferences. Fulfills in-service training requirements in a timely manner using Relias program. Attends in-service, department, or Center meetings as directed. Treats residents, staff, and visitors with respect.  Reports illness and symptoms to Director of Dining Services promptly. Performs other duties as assigned.Qualifications: Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Certified Food Protection Manager certification preferred Experience with food preparation Demonstrated cooking skills and ability to follow menus and recipes. Able to work well with othersPhysical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the responsibilities of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.   While performing the duties of the job the associate is regularly required to; Stand, bend, stoop, and stretch for extended periods of time Frequently use manual dexterity to finger, handle, feel, or manipulate equipment Frequently talk, listen, hear, and communicate with patients, residents, staff, and visitors Maneuver throughout the department, including small or narrow spaces. Push, pull, move, or lift a minimum of 25 pounds.  Working ConditionsThe working conditions described are representative of those that the associate will experience during a normal working day. Works in a well-lighted, ventilated area. Works in a warm, humid environment. Is subject to frequent interruptions and noise. May come in contact with bodily fluids or infectious diseases. Deals with residents, visitors, and staff under varying conditions.