Celebrated as the #2 Top Workplace in the D.C. region for 2024 by The Washington Post, Goodwin Living is more than a team – it's a global family of individuals who represent more than 65 countries.

Goodwin Living ranks #2 thanks to team members who respond to an annual survey conducted by a neutral, third-party resource. Here are some reasons they honor us with this ranking:

• Embracing Diversity: Our strength is in our diverse team from over 65 countries, fostering an inclusive and vibrant culture that values every voice. 
• Growth and Opportunities: We bolster personal and professional development, offering myriad opportunities, from on-the-job training to mentorship programs and financial support, to help you reach your full potential. 
• Valuing Our Team Members: By prioritizing team member satisfaction, we create a fulfilling work environment with competitive benefits, work-life balance, and recognition programs, ensuring our team feels appreciated and value

About the Position:

The main function of Executive Chef is providing overall leadership to the day-to-day operations of the Culinary Department, to include preparation of food for assisted living and health care kitchens, three distinct restaurant concepts, catering functions, and other outlets. Manages kitchen staff assuring quality, consistency and proper presentation and maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen area and the equipment. The Executive Chef must ensure all HACCP documentation is accurate and completed daily. The Executive Chef must also produce creative and well balanced daily and weekly specials, control waste, maintain cost of goods and labor goals. Responsible for maintaining high standards in service, resident relations, safety, and training of culinary and utility teams. Works with Resident Dietitian and follows standardized recipes, portioning, and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality.

Job Duties:

• Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines.
• Prepares or directs preparation of all food by the kitchen staff. Follows standardized recipes, portioning, and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets.
• Conducts daily meetings with production team members.
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on regulatory standards.
• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage, and work areas.  Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned.
• Maintains accurate inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary products are available when needed.
• Plan and prepare menus for special events as may be requested by the catering manager, residents, or staff.
• Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within established guidelines for such products.
• Complies with federal, state, and local health and sanitation and HACCP regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department, in-house and third-party audits.       
• Adheres to facility confidentiality, HIPAA, and resident's rights policies.   
• Visits in health care and assisted living to ensure that every resident is visited by a member of the management or professional team.
• Interviews candidates for employment and makes hiring and termination decisions after consultation with Human Resources and DS Director.
• Encourages positive team member behavior and performance, provides constant feedback including timely completion of performance appraisals, and rewards team members appropriately
• Identifies unacceptable performance and behavior, takes appropriate action within authority, holds team members accountable, and maintains documentation.
• Encourages feedback from, maintains relations with, and monitors commitment of providing highest quality service to customers including residents, internal customers, and partners/suppliers.
• Must meet regular and predictable attendance requirements

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience: Associate’s degree in culinary arts from a recognized culinary school (i.e., CIA, Johnson and Wales) or Associates Degree in Hospitality Management, or commensurate experience in other culinary/hospitality environments.
• Management: 5-10 years of kitchen management experience required in fine dining, high-end retirement community or corporate setting.  Must have directly managed a team of cooks and production personnel.
• Communication Skills: Must have strong written and verbal communication skills including interpretation of documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or associates of an organization. 
• Financial Acumen: Experience with budgets, inventory management, financial reports required.
•  Computer Proficiency: Possesses necessary skills to effectively operate automated food production systems, software programs, and basic Microsoft applications, such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.
• Customer Service and Detail Oriented: Demonstrates and fosters a customer first environment with attention to detail and holds team accountable for the same.

A sampling of our many benefits!

We’ve got you covered with incredible benefits, whether you work full-time, part-time, or PRN (as needed). Here’s a glimpse of what we offer to Full-Time team members:

• Paid Time Off
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• DailyPay: Work and get paid the same day!
• Tuition Assistance for Career Development
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Financial assistance with U.S. Citizenship application or DACA Renewal
• Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED
• Staff Emergency Grants
• Retirement Plan- 401(k)
• Free Meals, Access to a Fitness Center, Pool, and More

About Goodwin Living

At Goodwin Living, we can all find work with purpose! As a nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are driven by our mission: to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Our commitment to our team members is written directly into that statement. We create an enriching and supportive work environment that has inspired our team members to vote us into the Washington Post Top Workplace rankings since 2019, and they made us #2 in 2024!

Goodwin Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an AARP Employer Pledge Signer. We take pride in our inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters talent. With us, you are more than just a team member; you are part of a community committed to excellence and continuous learning.