Culinary Operations Director - National

Position Title: Director of Culinary Operations 

​Salary:  $145,000-$155,000/yr.

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus eligible. Vehicle provided 

 

CulinArt Group operates over 250 onsite corporate, higher education, private school, healthcare and destination recreation/leisure dining facilities in 18 states, including cafés, coffee bars, concessions, executive dining, catering and conference dining, social catering/special events, office coffee service and vending. CulinArt’s extremely diverse client portfolio affords great opportunities for career advancement within the company, across multiple industry segments and geographic regions. 

 

Job Summary

As the Director of Culinary Operations, reporting to the VP of Culinary Excellence you will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementation, monitoring, evaluating, and making necessary adjustments to innovative new dishes, concepts, and/or food programs throughout the B&I portfolio/ Education portfolio with CulinArt Group.

This role will require up to 75% travel.  Travel will be within the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions (education accounts) and nationally for B&I accounts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as Department Head to provide leadership and set standards of culinary excellence
• Works with Division leadership in planning, implementing, and supporting new food concepts or programs at their locations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
• Develops and mentors' senior chefs in various Company divisions and geographical regions
• Creates training opportunities for chefs and managers through manufacturer and vendor resources and sharing / promoting internal best practices
• Stays current with market trends and customer demands
• Participates in and attends trade shows and continuing education opportunities
• Plans menus for daily offerings, seasonal or limited-time specials, and daily and special event catering for a wide variety of locations and applications
• Conducts food tastings and evaluate food presentation
• Establishes food specifications
• Works with food manufacturers and vendors to select best product/value for needs
• Ensures that food products and handling procedures adhere to local, state and federal regulations
• Contributes expertise in kitchen and design and/or remodeling projects
• Leads culinary teams in planning, training, set-up, and opening new and/or remodeled accounts
• Collaborate with other departments such as Purchasing, Marketing, and Business Development on special projects and Company initiatives
• Direct sustainability initiatives throughout Company locations
• Lead all aspects of Nutrition staff and programs
• Updates senior management, supervisory managers, and account management teams on industry trends and new food programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of five years of dynamic culinary experience in high-volume, complex service, and catering operations
• Prior culinary experience in an education setting is required for this role
• Strong presentation & technical skills required 
• Multi-unit operations experience required
• Minimum of five years of menu development
• Knowledge of budgets, food and labor costs, and inventory controls
• Extensive knowledge of international cuisines and catering trends
• Detailed understanding of food equipment and safety standards
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, mentor, and training skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and work demands
• Self-starter, innovative, and able to multitask
• Ability to travel extensively up to 75% 
• Capable of representing the Company in food service industry events and public relations appearances
• Strong computer skills; including MS Office, recipe management, and nutrition programs

Apply to CulinArt today!

CulinArt is a member of Compass Group USA

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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 o