Culinary Talent Acquisition Partner

Compass Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company in Birmingham seeks a Culinary Talent Acquisition Partner to own recruitment for culinary roles from chefs to kitchen leaders. The ideal candidate will bring proven talent acquisition experience within hospitality and a strong network in the culinary sector. This role offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities to progress within a growing business that values craft and culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Benefits

Opportunities to develop and progress

Qualifications

• Proven experience in talent acquisition, ideally within hospitality or culinary.
• Confidence advising senior leaders and influencing hiring decisions.
• Passion for food, kitchens, and people.

Responsibilities

• Own recruitment for culinary roles across all levels.
• Work closely with culinary leadership to assess team needs.
• Deliver a warm and seamless candidate experience.

Skills

Talent acquisition experience

Network across the culinary landscape

Sourcing strategies expertise

Assessment techniques

Proactive relationship-led approach

Job description

Culinary Talent Acquisition Partner

Location: Birmingham
Contract: Full-time

About the Role

We're looking for a Culinary Talent Acquisition Partner who understands that great food starts with great people. In this role, you'll be the strategic hiring partner behind the chefs, kitchen leaders, menu innovators, and operational culinary teams who define our food experience.

You'll combine deep talent expertise with a genuine love for the culinary world-finding, engaging, and hiring the exceptional individuals who raise the bar in our kitchens every day.

What You'll Do

Lead Culinary Hiring End-to-End

• Own recruitment for culinary roles across all levels-from Commis Chefs to Executive Chefs and Head Pastry talent.
• Build innovative sourcing strategies to attract top-tier and emerging culinary professionals.
• Create talent pipelines for future growth, seasonal demand, and new openings.

Partner with Culinary Leadership

• Work closely with Executive Chefs, Ops Directors and HR partners to understand team needs, skill gaps, and future workforce plans.
• Provide market insights on talent availability, salary benchmarking, and competitor trends.
• Act as a trusted advisor on hiring best practice, assessment, and selection.

Champion the Candidate Experience

• Deliver a warm, personalised, and seamless journey for every candidate.
• Ensure all hiring processes reflect our culture, values, and passion for exceptional food.

Enhance Employer Brand within the Culinary Space

• Represent the business at culinary schools, trade events, and industry networking opportunities.
• Partner with marketing to create chef-focused attraction campaigns.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience in talent acquisition, ideally within hospitality, culinary, food production, or a similarly fast-paced environment.
• A strong network across the culinary landscape, or the ability to build one quickly.
• Confidence advising senior leaders and influencing hiring decisions.
• Expertise in sourcing strategies, assessment techniques, and talent forecasting.
• Passion for food, kitchens, people, and the culture that binds them together.
• A proactive, relationship-led approach with a commitment to excellence.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a growing business where culinary talent truly shapes our success.
• Work alongside inspiring food leaders and help define the future of our kitchens.
• Opportunities to develop, progress, and make a meaningful impact on a brand that values craft and culture.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and flexible working arrangements.