Come work as an Assistant Manager, Food Services with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Reporting to the Regional Manager, Food Services or designate, the Assistant Manager, Food Services is responsible for the direction and supervision of Food Service Supervisors, Cooks, Dietary Aides and designated staff in the day-to-day operations of food production, preparation and distribution. This person participates in program and service delivery planning, implementation and evaluation; to meet annual objectives. The Assistant Manager maintains and provides statistical, financial and quality improvement reports as required and assumes responsibility for overall operation of the department in the absence of the Regional Manager.

As an Assistant Manager, Food Services with Vancouver Coastal Health you will: 

• Oversee all food services staff within the department by providing leadership and direction, coordinating work assignments, approving vacations, ensuring continual staff development by determining related training and orientation requirements and maintaining all related documentation.
• Establish and oversee standardized production schedules, recipes, inventory levels and reheat methods. Evaluate foods being prepared, served and distributed to ensure established standards of quality, quantity and safety are maintained.
• Monitor and evaluates the achievement of service objectives for the service area. Promote positive interdepartmental relationships through effective communication consulting and negotiating with user departments.
• Assist the Regional Manager or designate with the development, implementation and review of service area standards, policies and procedures to ensure they comply with legal and professional standards. Contribute to the overall strategic plan for departmental operations. Analyze current situations and future requirements and set priorities for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating strategies. Work within the context of the organization’s long-range strategic plans and its complex multi-site environment.
• Develop, revise and prepare direct charge and contract order sheets for the acquisition of supplies; implement the health authority’s food service standards regarding products, receiving, storage and rotation of food. Meet with vendor representatives to discuss quality and delivery issues and/or concerns and to review new products. Participate in establishment of product and service specifications, for tendering of new contracts within the portfolio.
• Screen job applicants for designated service area. Conduct interviews and reference checks and screens applicants for internal and external job postings and complete competition score sheets and awards positions. Offer employment to qualified candidates.
• Utilize computerized applications and relevant software to produce, maintain and update a variety of records and reports; prepare and distribute correspondence documents and reports. Create various forms, spreadsheets and documents. Maintain files and filing systems, including correspondence, anecdotal notes, employee records, equipment and supply records.
• Interpret and communicate regulations and standards to staff to ensure adherence to practices and procedures compliant with Work Safe BC regulations and standards. Participate in return to work initiatives, fire prevention and disaster plans as required by the employer.
• Evaluate employee performance and manages attendance according to established procedures. Coach and discipline staff in the designated service area following discussion with the Regional Manager. This position applies the collective agreement in consultation with the Business Partner.
• Participate in the development of Food Services mission, philosophy, policies, objectives and standards and Continuous Quality Improvement by developing and conducting audits in collaboration with the Business Performance Services.
• Participate and contributes at various meetings, and committees, as required by the Regional Manager.
• Participate in the menu planning, auditing and recipe development process in accordance with the organization’s guidelines and standards to meet the satisfaction and diet needs of customers, patients, residents and clients.
• Manage food services, and if applicable cafeteria and catering including planning menus and services for patients, residents and clients and ensuring adherence to production and service capabilities, cost constraint, presentation and nutritional requirement as established with organization’s guidelines and standards. Implement Ministry of Health retail initiatives where applicable.
• Monitor equipment for preventative maintenance, repair and replacement; troubleshoot and complete routine work orders for repair service.
• Recommend purchase/replacement of equipment to the Regional Manager or designate.
• Provide input to the Regional Manager or designate regarding capital and operating budget requirements. Participate in the establishment of product and service specifications for tendering of supplier contracts, and is accountable for monitoring and controlling expenditures in designated service areas. Monitor and report on budget variances, advising the Regional Manager or designate of issues and concerns.
• Work with BISS for food safety, client satisfaction, food waste and menu audits. Interpret results and lead the implementation of corrective action, communicate same to staff and monitor for quality and consistency.
• Participate in development of essential services plans in consultation with Regional Manager or designate in preparation of job action with significant involvement in essential service levels, menu and staff planning, logistics, training and execution.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately report unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Administration or completion of an approved post-secondary course as a Food Service Supervisor/Manager.
• Five (5) years’ recent related experience in service management in health facilities including operational experience with quality assurance programs and food service policy and procedures within a healthcare setting.
• Completion of relevant health care administration courses and graduation from a recognized culinary training course is an asset.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership ability and highly developed interpersonal, communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to client focused services and teamwork.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate administrative, professional and operational aspects of the department throughout the facility in an effective and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and nurture an environment where quality improvement principles are embraced and used on a continuous basis.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize related equipment such as various word processing and spreadsheet applications including all MS Office applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.