Lead Cook for Assisted Living Community

Lead Cook for Assisted Living Community About the Role

Mountain Springs Assisted Living Community  a 24 bed community is seeking a full-time Lead Cook to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and help ensure residents receive consistent, high-quality meals. This role supports the dietary team by coordinating meal preparation, maintaining kitchen readiness, and leading staff scheduling and training.

Success in this position means delivering well-planned weekly menus, supporting reliable purchasing and inventory practices, and creating a kitchen environment where team members feel prepared and confident to serve with care and consistency.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly menus that align with dietary needs and meal service goals.
• Plan meal prep needs and coordinate food preparation to support scheduled service times.
• Perform or support grocery shopping by selecting appropriate items, tracking needs, and ensuring availability.
• Schedule kitchen staff shifts and assist with coverage to support smooth operations.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff to support consistent meal quality and service standards.
• Oversee kitchen organization, cleanliness, and safe food handling practices.
• Monitor inventory usage and help reduce waste through accurate ordering and preparation planning.
• Coordinate with team members to ensure timely meal service and effective workflow.
• Maintain accurate records related to food preparation, supplies, and kitchen activities as required.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance processes and teamwork.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (or comparable experience).
• 1+ years of experience in a kitchen or food service role, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Proven ability to create and manage weekly menus.
• Experience with grocery purchasing and inventory awareness.
• Experience scheduling or coordinating staff shifts (preferred).
• Knowledge of safe food handling and basic sanitation practices.
• Comfort using standard kitchen tools and systems used for food service planning and tracking.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to train others in a respectful, inclusive way.
• Reliable time management and the ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to follow established procedures while maintaining consistent meal quality.

Benefits

• Competitive pay: $20–$25 per hour (based on experience and qualifications).
• Full-time schedule with opportunities for stable, ongoing work.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays (where applicable).
• Health insurance options (where available).
• Retirement savings plan options (where available).
• Wellness-focused benefits and programs (where available).
• Professional development opportunities and growth within the kitchen team.