Culinary Director: Lead Multi-Unit Innovation & Excellence

Compass Group USA; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Bon Appetit Management Company, part of Compass Group USA, seeks a Culinary Director to lead vision, standards, and operations across a high-volume, multi-unit dining program. You will guide culinary teams, drive menu innovation, and ensure quality and guest satisfaction.

You will manage recipes, cost controls, training, and compliance while partnering with operations, marketing, purchasing, and regional culinary support.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of progressive culinary management in high-volume operations.
• Five+ years in an Executive Chef or senior culinary leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of menu development, recipe standardization, and food cost controls.
• Experience leading, training, and developing culinary teams in fast-paced environments.
• Financial acumen with budgets, P&L management, and staffing planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations across all assigned outlets with high-quality food production.
• Develop and maintain recipes, menus, portion specs, and production standards.
• Provide hands-on leadership by coaching teams and ensuring smooth operations in absence of the Director.
• Partner with operational leadership to roll out culinary programs, seasonal menus, and client-facing experiences.
• Manage menu development with focus on guest preferences, local sourcing, sustainability, and financial performance.
• Oversee food cost management, inventory control, and labor planning to support budget goals.
• Hire, train, and develop culinary leaders and back-of-house staff.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Food cost controls

Team coaching

Operational excellence

Multi-unit management

Broad culinary knowledge

Education

Degree in Culinary Arts

Hospitality Management degree

ServSafe Manager certification

Allergen certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Inventory software

Job description

Bon Appetit Management Company, part of Compass Group USA, seeks a Culinary Director to lead vision, standards, and operations across a high-volume, multi-unit dining program. You will guide culinary teams, drive menu innovation, and ensure quality and guest satisfaction.

You will manage recipes, cost controls, training, and compliance while partnering with operations, marketing, purchasing, and regional culinary support.