Culinary Programming Manager

Restaurant Associates

City of Niagara Falls (NY)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

28 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Discount Marketplace

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a Culinary Programming Manager to lead the development and execution of centralized culinary programs within a dynamic client food program. You will drive data-driven decision making, build scalable systems, and collaborate with SMEs to standardize recipes, menus, and SOPs across cafés.

You will report to the Director of Culinary Programs & Development and work on automating processes, leveraging Smart Menu tools, and presenting financial and user-experience

Qualifications

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of experience across culinary, foodservice, business, or related fields.
Completed degree is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred but not required for this role.
Strong technical proficiency in Google Suite tools (Sheets, Docs, and Slides).
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to internal stakeholders and provide clear executive direction.

Responsibilities

Gather and analyze data to establish key performance benchmarks.
Draft comprehensive proposals and business cases for new initiatives.
Validate program proposals through data-driven insights and impact metrics.
Develop structured project plans utilizing RACI frameworks to define governance and accountability.
Manage multiple concurrent projects using standardized tracking tools, proactively identifying and mitigating risks or roadblocks.
Balance a \"guest-first\" hospitality focus with strict operational and financial rigor.
Engage effectively with key internal stakeholders and clients to ensure alignment.
Lead change management efforts seamlessly across diverse teams.
Support roll out of new Smart Menu and future menu management systems.
Analyze current programs using current tools (Ex. Smart Menu).
Work with team to develop annual culinary plan.
Support further development of Smart Menu in Google sheets, enabling menu engineering and reporting.
Document standard operating procedures using relevant tools (documents, presentations, photos, videos).
Identify opportunities for new programs and present recommendations with data, UX and trend analysis.

Skills

Data analysis

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Automation

Analytical thinking

Creative problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

PM certification (PMP) preferred

Tools

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Google Slides

Job description

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Position Title: Culinary Programming Manager

Location: New York, NY

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive benefits package

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry’s leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations!Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an agile and confident Culinary Programming Manager to manage projects in support of the client food program. This individual will help build and support the infrastructure of a centralized culinary program, work with Smart Menus, and both build and utilize reporting to analyze data and implement changes across the food program's cafés. Reporting to the Director of Culinary Programs & Development, the Culinary Programming Manager is a proactive and creative problem-solver who can develop efficient systems, automate processes, and translate culinary expertise into scalable program solutions across R/A.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities and Scope:

Program Management & Operational Leadership

Gather and analyze data to establish key performance benchmarks
Draft comprehensive proposals and business cases for new initiatives
Validate program proposals through data-driven insights and impact metrics
Develop structured project plans utilizing RACI frameworks to define governance and accountability
Manage multiple concurrent projects using standardized tracking tools, proactively identifying and mitigating risks or roadblocks
Balance a "guest-first" hospitality focus with strict operational and financial rigor
Engage effectively with key internal stakeholders and clients to ensure alignment
Lead change management efforts seamlessly across diverse teams

Program Development

Support roll out of new Smart Menu (and future menu management system)
Analyze current programs using current tools (Ex. Smart Menu)
Work with team to develop annual culinary plan
Support further development of Smart Menu in Google sheets, that will further enable menu engineering and reporting
Work closely with culinary SMEs to document successful programs and innovation, translating them into scalable programs
Standardize and archive all validated recipes and menu concepts within the core database
Document standard operating procedures using relevant tools (documents, presentations, photos, videos)
Identify opportunities for new programs
Create and present recommendations for new programs, supporting with user experience and financial data, trend analysis and draft menus

Experience and Qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of experience across culinary, foodservice, business, or related fields
Completed degree is preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred but not required for this role.
Strong technical proficiency in Google Suite tools (Sheets, Docs, and Slides)
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to internal stakeholders and provide clear executive direction.
High-level of culinary execution, experience, and/or interest
Strong time management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines and pivot/prioritize when needed
Ability to automate processes
Analytical mindset with creative problem-solving ability

Preferred Interpersonal Skills:

Proactive: ability to take ownership and be proactive
Humble: ability to be a good listener, be open minded, consider others, and compliment before criticizing
Helpful: asking what else can be done and offering constructive feedback
Creative: ability to leverage creativity in the kitchen (new dishes) and at 10,000 feet (engineering solutions)
Agency: ability to come up with creative ways to utilize AI and find areas of improvement and efficiency
Owning Growth: solicit opportunities to learn, grow, and receive feedback

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

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 or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.