SR DIRECTOR OF FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES
Salary: 100,000 - 115,000 / year based on experience
Other Forms of Compensation: Annual Performance Bonus, Flexible Paid Time Off, Benefits, 401K, Training
Pay Grade: 17
Morrison Healthcare, a Compass Healthcare company, is a leader in healthcare food and nutrition services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country. With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized dining experiences for patients and in their cafés to advance the healing and healthful missions of its clients. Morrison has been serving some of the nation’s largest health systems for more than 70 years, and it leverages culinary, nutritional, and operational expertise to provide consistency and transform the healthcare experience. Since 2012, Morrison has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work and Training Magazine has named it a Top 125/APEX Award Training Organization. Morrison has more than 1,600 registered dietitians and 1,200 executive chefs, and serves more than 600M meals annually.
Job Summary
The Sr. Director of Food & Nutrition Services is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of hospital-based food and nutrition programs in an acute care environment. This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered nutrition services while maintaining regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. The Sr. Director will lead a team of clinical and non-clinical staff, manage client and physician relationships, drive financial performance, and support talent development.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct and oversee all aspects of Food & Nutrition Services within an acute care hospital, including patient dining, retail, and catering operations
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies and standards (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, state and local health departments)
- Manage department operations within approved budgets, optimizing labor, food cost, and overall financial performance while delivering high-quality patient care
- Ensure patient meals meet physician-ordered diets, clinical nutrition standards, and patient satisfaction goals
- Lead and enforce rigorous safety, sanitation, infection prevention, and food safety programs (HACCP compliance)
- Collaborate closely with clinical teams (dietitians, nursing, physicians) to ensure integration of nutrition care into patient treatment plans
- Build and maintain strong relationships with hospital leadership, department heads, and key stakeholders
- Oversee purchasing, inventory control, and supply chain processes to ensure efficiency and cost containment
- Lead patient experience initiatives, including room service programs, menu innovation, and service recovery
- Mentor, develop, and retain a high-performing team, including managers, dietitians, and frontline staff
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and service excellence
- Align department operations with overall hospital goals, patient outcomes, and quality metrics
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management, Nutrition, Hospitality, Healthcare Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- Minimum of 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in acute care food & nutrition services
- 3–5 years of direct operational management experience in a hospital setting, including patient feeding, retail, and clinical nutrition integration
- Strong knowledge of therapeutic diets, clinical nutrition standards, and patient meal service models (e.g., room service)
- Proven experience with regulatory compliance (Joint Commission, CMS) and food safety standards (HACCP)
- Financial acumen with experience managing P&L, budgeting, labor productivity, and cost controls in a healthcare environment
- Experience with contract-managed services and healthcare foodservice systems preferred
- ServSafe® certification required (or ability to obtain)
- Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) a plus
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to engage clinicians, executives, and frontline staff
- Forward-thinking, proactive leader who serves as a visible ambassador of the organization within the hospital
Apply to Morrison Healthcare today!
Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Morrison Healthcare are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Personal Leave
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_MorrisonHealthcare.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Morrison Healthcare maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1538098
Morrison Healthcare
AMY S MILLER
[[req_classification]]
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment:
Food Service, Chef, Culinary, Hospitality
