Food Service Lead - Dietary
Company : Prime Healthcare Services
Location : Kankakee, IL, 60901
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Overview
Department: Dietary
Schedule: Full-Time - Days
Facility: St. Mary’s Hospital- Kankakee
Location: Kankakee , IL 60901
Responsibilities
Assists with the day to day operations of the Food and Nutrition Department to ensure compliance with federal, state, and other regulatory agencies. Performs the clerical support/duties necessary for optimal patient care, including safety and efficiency of food prepared in the department and compliance with policies and procedures. Performs a variety of patient and non-patient food service duties, including, but not limited to tasks related to patient tray service and tasks related to cafeteria and catering functions.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING
County Specific requirement.
The company is dedicated to empowering its staff with a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, allowing them the freedom to customize their benefits to fit their unique needs. Our abundant resources, programs, and voluntary options serve as a foundation for individual growth and well-being. Learn more here: https://www.primehealthcare.com/benefitsthatmattermost/
Pay Transparency
St. Mary's Hospital - Kankakee offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that provides employees the flexibility to tailor benefits according to their individual needs. Our Total Rewards package includes, but is not limited to, paid time off, a 401K retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, tuition reimbursement, and many more voluntary benefit options. A reasonable compensation estimate for this role, which includes estimated wages, benefits, and other forms of compensation, is $16.80 to $24.33. The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire, in which a wide range of factors will be considered, including but not limited to, skillset, years of applicable experience, education, credentials and licensure.
Employment Status
Full TimeShift
DaysEqual Employment Opportunity
Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Food Service Lead - Dietary
Frequently asked questions
The Food Service Lead - Dietary at St. Mary’s Hospital plays a critical role in maintaining food safety by overseeing daily operations, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations, and managing patient tray service with a focus on health standards. This position requires up-to-date food safety certifications and hands-on supervision to protect patient well-being.
Candidates need a high school diploma or equivalent, food safety certification within 60 days of hire, plus a county-specific food handler’s permit to meet Kankakee’s local health mandates. These credentials ensure compliance and readiness to handle food service duties in healthcare settings.
Starting as a Food Service Lead - Dietary can open pathways into supervisory roles such as Dietary Manager or Director of Food Services. Gaining experience in compliance, team leadership, and operational efficiency at healthcare facilities like Prime Healthcare Services enriches career prospects in food service administration.
Prime Healthcare Services provides flexible benefits tailored to individual needs, including tuition reimbursement, comprehensive medical plans, and retirement options. This support fosters career growth and personal well-being, making it attractive for food service professionals in the healthcare sector.
Yes, compensation ranges from $16.80 to $24.33 per hour, factoring in experience and credentials. Alongside wages, Prime Healthcare offers paid time off, 401k plans, and extensive benefits, creating a total rewards package that reflects the local job market and skill requirements.
Kankakee’s healthcare food service market is moderately competitive due to regional demand for certified dietary professionals. Candidates with food safety certifications and prior food service experience, especially in hospital settings, typically have an edge during hiring.
Daily tasks involve juggling patient tray accuracy, ensuring adherence to dietary restrictions, coordinating cafeteria functions, and maintaining compliance with safety regulations. Balancing operational efficiency with patient care quality is a core challenge in this role.
Kankakee’s community-oriented atmosphere promotes teamwork and personalized patient care within dietary services. Staff often engage closely with patients and local suppliers, fostering a collaborative environment that values both regulatory compliance and community health.
Yes, Kankakee mandates county-specific food handler certifications alongside state-level food safety credentials. These local regulations ensure dietary leads meet stricter safety standards tailored to the county’s public health policies.
Unlike retail or general food service roles, this position demands specialized knowledge in nutritional standards, patient-specific dietary needs, and healthcare compliance. Leadership here integrates food safety with patient care priorities, making it a unique intersection of healthcare and food service expertise.