Houston Methodist is proud to be named to Forbes’ America’s Best Large Employers 2026 list, a significant national recognition that reflects how our employees experience working here every day. The list, developed by Forbes in partnership with Statista, was announced February 10, 2026.
This honor is based on an extensive, …
Lead Steward
Location:
Houston Methodist Hospital
6565 Fannin St., Houston TX, 77030
6565 Fannin St., Houston TX, 77030
- Job Ref:
- JR-2344
- Time Type:
- Full Time
- Job Shift:
- Day
- Job Type:
- Full Time
At Houston Methodist, the Lead Steward position is responsible for serving as the lead person assigned to work in the Patient Services disproof/kitchen and tray line areas and oversees the disproof operations, performing duties related to dishwashing, general kitchen cleaning and sanitation of equipment. In the absence of the Manager, the Lead Steward position must possess the appropriate job knowledge and skill to follow through as well as correct problems involving the maintenance, safety or sanitation in the patient service area, overseeing equipment maintenance, storeroom and vendor issues. This position follows correct procedures in cleaning of equipment and sanitation of work areas, along with special cleaning as assigned. The Lead Steward position actively participates in the department's quality/performance improvement programs and completes approved number of required customer service and/or diet knowledge in-services. This position assists with schedules of disproof employees, thoroughly documents/verifies and monitors temperatures for the dish machine, refrigerators and freezers. This position must be able to adapt to fast-paced environment, follows all department policies and procedures and complies with local Food Ordinances. The Lead Steward position may be asked to assist in other food and nutrition service areas, as needed.
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONSNon-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.) preferred
EXPERIENCE
- Two years of experience in food service or housekeeping progressive leadership in a large hospital, nursing home or other institutional environment
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- Must have one of the following certifications: Food Handlers Permit - Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Certified Food Manager - Obtain in 90 days; Once Food Service Manager Certification is obtained, Food Handler Permit is no longer required; Food Service Manager must be renewed every 5 years
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Working knowledge of Serve Safe guidelines and Health department standards
- Knowledge of kitchen/food service equipment and sanitation principles
- Demonstrates active listening skills, giving full attention to what other people are saying
- Escalates concerns regarding staff to management appropriately
- Oversees equipment maintenance, storeroom and vendor issues
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Serves as the lead person in the dish room and oversees the work of the FSA’s in the Patient Services unit. Responds positively to requests for assistance from customers, employees and visitors, using clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution. Responds to customer satisfaction, both urgent and routine requests, within established guidelines of the department. Escalates customer’s complaints to Supervisor/Manager.
- Oversees FSA’s in transporting of clean tray components to the designated areas throughout Patient Food Service tray line and the central kitchen.
- Provides input on employee performance for focal point review evaluations. Assists Manager in completing merits in a timely manner. Initiates recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides general lead responsibility for cleanliness and sanitation of the Patient Services kitchen including the dish room, reporting and recording maintenance issues and follow up.
- Inventories and provides inventory information to the manager regarding flatware, china, tray components, cleaning supplies, and paper goods for the dish room and central kitchen to maintain par levels.
- Assists at various stations as required during the dishwashing operation, e.g. sorts, rinses, rack the tray components, loads and unloads the dish machine, etc.
- Ensures cleaning schedules are adhered to in assigned areas.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides lead responsibility and oversees the cleaning and sanitizing of the floors, walls, ceilings, food carts and equipment according to cleaning schedules, and in compliance with relevant local Food Ordinance and other regulatory agencies, e.g., Texas Department of Health, federal and state regulatory agencies, Hospital Quality Management committee and safety regulations.
- Utilizes chemicals appropriately. Conducts safety and sanitation inspections to meet all standards of the hospital and regulatory agencies.
- Reports accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards. Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists and adjusts work assignments to cover for unforeseen circumstances in the dish room area.
- Utilizes resources with cost-effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Completes approved number of required customer service and diet classes.
- Provides mandatory in-services and training as specified by hospital and department.
- Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: Yes
- Scrubs: No
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): Yes
- On Call* No
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.) preferred
EXPERIENCE
- Two years of experience in food service or housekeeping progressive leadership in a large hospital, nursing home or other institutional environment
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
- Must have one of the following certifications: Food Handlers Permit - Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Certified Food Manager - Obtain in 90 days; Once Food Service Manager Certification is obtained, Food Handler Permit is no longer required; Food Service Manager must be renewed every 5 years
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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