Executive Director, Food and Nutrition Services

The Executive Director Food & Nutrition Services provides strategic and operational leadership for all systemwide Food & Nutrition programs across Southcoast Hospital Group (SHG). Reporting to the Vice President of Operations Ancillary Services this role is responsible for developing directing and overseeing highquality safe and costeffective food and nutrition services that support patients visitors staff and the broader community.

This leader will guide all areas of the Food & Nutrition portfolioincluding Patient Feeding Clinical Nutrition Retail and Catering Services Culinary Operations Procurement Vending Services and the Dietetic Internship Programensuring exceptional service regulatory compliance and an outstanding patient and customer experience. The Executive Director maintains 24/7 accountability for operational performance of a department with a managed volume exceeding $14 million.

This role plays a key part in shaping program strategy driving operational excellence enhancing patient satisfaction optimizing financial performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across all sites.

Essential Functions:

• Lead Operational & Financial Performance:
  Oversee departmental budgets monitor expenditures and ensure all Food & Nutrition Services operate within financial targets. Optimize inventory supplies equipment and vendor relationships to maximize value and maintain high-quality service.

• Drive Key Performance Outcomes:
  Utilize SHG systems and data to monitor and improve key performance indicatorsincluding cost per volume productivity contract compliance patient satisfaction employee engagement retail performance and service utilization.

• Ensure High-Quality Safe and Compliant Operations:
  Maintain 24/7 operational and regulatory accountability for food handling preparation and service across all hospital sites. Ensure adequate staffing competency validation equipment performance and physical space requirements to deliver safe high-quality services.

• Foster a Collaborative PatientCentered Culture:
  Engage staff at all levels in meeting SHG and regulatory standards. Promote teamwork across departments to deliver coordinated patientfocused services. Model and reinforce service excellence in all interactions.

• Lead Continuous Quality Improvement:
  Apply performance improvement principles to assess monitor and enhance food and nutrition processes. Develop and implement improvement plans to address gaps increase efficiency and elevate service delivery.

• Uphold Service Excellence & Community Engagement:
  Demonstrate ownership of patient experience and support care providers as key customers. Protect patient dignity safety and privacy at all times. Represent SHG in the community through participation in events partnerships and professional outreach.

• Provide Strategic & Executive Leadership:
  Guide the vision structure and longterm direction of Food & Nutrition Services. Ensure proper resource utilization adherence to standards and effective implementation of departmental policies and protocols.

• Develop and Support Staff:
  Oversee training education and competency development for all team members. Ensure thorough onboarding with emphasis on patient satisfaction safety and infection control. Lead performance management coaching mentoring and succession planning.

• Manage Staffing and Productivity:
  Evaluate workflows and staffing models to ensure efficient operations that meet patient and customer needs. Assign staff effectively and monitor productivity to support operational and organizational goals.

• Lead Organizational Change & Innovation:
  Facilitate communication and adoption of change initiatives. Encourage innovation responsible risktaking and continuous improvement. Ensure personal and team alignment with SHGs mission values Code of Conduct and Ethics & Compliance Program.

• Advance Service Growth & Professional Development:
  Assess current services and support development of new programs aligned with system priorities. Maintain active participation in professional development opportunities and promote ongoing learning for the team.