Culinary Programming Manager

Compass Group USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state

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

Restaurant Associates is seeking an agile and confident Culinary Programming Manager to manage projects in support of the client food program. You will help build and support 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

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.
• Analytical mindset with creative problem-solving ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management and operational leadership for culinary initiatives.
• Analyze data to establish key performance benchmarks and KPIs.
• Draft proposals and business cases for new initiatives with data-driven insights.
• Develop project plans using RACI frameworks for governance and accountability.
• Manage multiple projects with standardized tracking tools and mitigate risks.
• Balance guest-first hospitality with operational and financial rigor.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and clients to ensure alignment.
• Lead change management across diverse teams.

Skills

Data analysis

Project management

Google Suite

Communication

Automation

Culinary knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Equivalent professional experience

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.

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.