Culinary Programming Manager

Restaurant Associates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

FSAs

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an agile Culinary Programming Manager to lead projects supporting the client food program. You will help build a centralized culinary program, work with Smart Menus, and develop reporting to analyze data for scalable program solutions company-wide.

Reporting to the Director of Culinary Programs & Development, you will create efficient systems, automate processes, and translate culinary expertise into scalable programs across Restaurant Associates.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in culinary, foodservice, business, or related fields.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• PMP certification preferred but not required.
• Strong proficiency with Google Suite tools (Sheets, Docs, Slides).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of culinary execution and/or interest.
• Strong time management and ability to pivot when needed.
• Ability to automate processes and analyze data for improvements.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze data to establish performance benchmarks.
• Draft proposals and business cases for new initiatives.
• Validate proposals using data-driven insights and impact metrics.
• Develop project plans using RACI frameworks for governance.
• Manage multiple projects with standardized tracking tools.
• Balance hospitality focus with operational and financial discipline.
• Engage stakeholders and clients to ensure alignment.
• Lead change management across diverse teams.

Skills

Project management

Google Suite

Communication

Time management

Automation

Data analysis

Culinary execution

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Google Slides

Job description

Restaurant Associates

Position Title: Culinary Programming Manager

Location: New York, NY

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

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.

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:

• Positive: “yes” mentality
• 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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates At Restaurant Associates Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• 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
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• 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. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf