About Optima Living
Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to provide a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care. What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers.
Today, Optima Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. Our innovative approach includes Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way; our proprietary brain health and care model. As the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, we proudly serve more than 4,300 residents.
Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy and a focus on innovation, we are redefining aging with purpose creating communities where seniors live with dignity, connection, and joy.
Position Summary
Reporting to the General Manager, the Food Services Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and resident-focused food and dining services within the community. This role oversees menu implementation and delivery of dietary accommodations, ensures compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, and manages inventory, cost controls, and documentation to support high-quality nutrition, resident satisfaction, and operational excellence.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in alignment with Optima Living’s mission, vision, and values, promoting person-centered care by respecting the uniqueness, dignity, and self-Determination of residents to promote maximum personal and functional independence. These duties are performed within the framework of established organizational policies and procedures, industry best practices, while adhering to applicable regulations and standards.
Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Oversight
- Provides leadership, support, guidance and mentorship to the food services team.
- Provides oversight and direction to the food services team through coordination of work routines.
- Conducts and attends team meetings; serves on committees as applicable.
- Ensures team members comply with all relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
- Fosters a positive dining experience that promotes dignity, choice, and comfort for residents.
Core Deliverables
- Leads the development, implementation, evaluation, and revisions of food service-related goals, objectives, and outcomes.
- Reviews and implements menus to meet residents’ dietary requirements and preferences while make necessary changes as required in collaboration with dietitians.
- Oversees proper food handling, presentation, portion control and maintaining appropriate serving temperatures.
- Maintains accurate inventory records for food, supplies, and equipment.
- Implements and monitors cost control measures to reduce waste and manage food costs.
- Ensures proper storage and rotation of food items using the First In First Out method, maintaining freshness and safety.
Optima Community Engagement
- Ensures communication with residents, families and team members is managed effectively, with empathy and responsiveness.
- Collaborates with other team leads within the community to ensure that goals and planned changes are monitored and reviewed.
- Adapts meal plans based on resident feedback and changing dietary needs.
- Solicits regular resident and family feedback from surveys and other means.
Budget and Financial
- Participates in the operational, budgetary, and capital planning processes.
- Forecasts budget requirements as well as monitors and approves expenditures.
Quality Assurance
- Performs and evaluates organizational audits and key performance indicators and shares the results for quality improvements.
- Investigates and documents incidents and complaints, ensuring prompt corrective actions.
- Manages risks, communicates problems and finds solutions for quality improvements and risk mitigations.
- Reviews external quality and inspection reports in collaboration with the General Manager.
- Maintains accurate records by ensuring necessary documentation and reporting systems are in place.
Operational and Administrative Systems
- Liaises with external governing and regulatory groups as necessary.
- Determines and maintains appropriate staffing levels (as per CBA if applicable) and interviews and hires qualified personnel in consultation with the General Manager.
- Oversees the onboarding and orientation of the team.
- Manages performance evaluations and improvement strategies as applicable.
- Ensures team members participation in the annual continuing education program as applicable.
- Resolves conflicts and takes appropriate corrective action as needed.
- Reviews and approves biweekly payrolls.
- Supports the Community Relations Coordinator in providing tours of the community as needed.
General
- Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns to supervisor, General Manager or Health & Safety Committee.
- Identifies maintenance issues and reports them following established maintenance procedures.
- Responds promptly during emergency codes in alignment with organizational standards and protocols.
- Contributes to quality improvement initiatives by sharing ideas and providing feedback.
- Ensures adherence to infection control policies and procedures through regular audits, observations, and investigations.
- Maintains strict confidentiality of resident medical and personal information in accordance with privacy legislation.
- Completes orientation upon hire and annual mandatory education as assigned.
- Supports other team members through their orientation process.
- Respects and upholds the Resident Bill of Rights and the Assisted Living Rights of Residents (for BC only).
- Performs other duties as required to support operational needs.
Qualifications & Experience
- Graduate from a recognized culinary institute is required.
- Red Seal certification is an asset.
- Minimum of two (2) years experience in food services.
- Minimum of one (1) year leadership experience in a residential care or mental health environment is required.
- Active membership in good standing with the Canadian Society of Nutritional Management is an asset.
- Maintains an active Food Safe certificate.
- CPR and First Aid certification is an asset.
- Knowledge of Labour and Employment Standards, including union and collective agreements, is an asset.
- Energetic and supportive leader who drives team engagement and morale while consistently leading by example.
- Communicates in an approachable and respectful manner with the temperament to deal tactfully and cooperatively in all interactions.
- Strong written communication skills with the ability to present professional documents with clarity.
- Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage priorities effectively.
- Experienced in crisis intervention.
- Ability to manage and resolve difficult and challenging situations effectively and respectfully.
- Physical and mental ability to carry out the duties of the position including adherence to provincial health legislations.
- Ability to operate all equipment safely following approved practices and protocols.
- Computer literacy skills required.
- Flexibility to work a variety of shifts.
Conditions of Employment
- Clear Police Information Check
- Clear Vulnerable Sector Check
- Successful completion of all mandatory Provincial Health Requirements
- Active Food Safe Certification
