DIRECTOR CULINARY OPERATIONS - K-12 FOOD SERVICE, JACKSONVILLE, FL

Compass Group USA; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

PTO

Job summary

Chartwells K-12, part of Compass Group USA, is seeking a Director of Culinary Operations in Jacksonville, FL. The role leads culinary development, menu strategy, and program implementation across multiple locations within a large K-12 portfolio.

The position requires strategic leadership, deep culinary knowledge, budget understanding, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams in high-volume environments. Extensive travel may be needed; equity-friendly benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressive culinary experience in high volume, complex service and catering operations.
• Minimum of two years of menu development.
• Knowledge of budgets, food and labor costs, inventory controls.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international cuisines and catering trends.
• Thorough understanding of food equipment and safety standards.
• Strong organizational, leadership, coaching and training skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
• Self-starter, innovative and ability to multitask.
• Ability to travel extensively.
• Capable of representing the Company in food service industry events and public relations appearances.
• Strong computer skills; including MS office, recipe management and nutrition programs

Responsibilities

• Serves as Department Head to provide leadership and set standards of culinary excellence.
• Works with Division leadership in planning, implementing and supporting new food concepts or programs at their locations.
• Develops and mentors senior chefs in various Company divisions and geographical regions.
• Creates training opportunities for chefs and managers through manufacturer and vendor resources and sharing / promoting internal best practices.
• Stays current with market trends and customer demands.
• Participates in and attends trade shows and continuing education opportunities.
• Plans menus for daily offerings, seasonal or limited time specials, daily and special event catering for a wide variety of locations and applications.
• Contributes expertise in kitchen and servery design and / or remodeling projects.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary development

Menu development

Budgeting

Food safety

Communication

Travel

MS Office

Education

Degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

MS Office

Recipe management

Nutrition programs

Job description

DIRECTOR CULINARY OPERATIONS - K-12 FOOD SERVICE, JACKSONVILLE, FL

Position Title:DIRECTOR CULINARY OPERATIONS - K-12 FOOD SERVICE, JACKSONVILLE, FL

Pay Grade:18

Reports To: Regional Director of Operations

Other Forms of Compensation: Medical, Dental & Vision insurance, 401K, PTO

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com .

Job Summary

Working as the Director of Culinary Development you will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and making necessary adjustments to innovative new dishes, concepts and/or food programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as Department Head to provide leadership and set standards of culinary excellence
• Works with Division leadership in planning, implementing and supporting new food concepts or programs at their locations
• Develops and mentors senior chefs in various Company divisions and geographical regions
• Creates training opportunities for chefs and managers through manufacturer and vendor resources and sharing / promoting internal best practices
• Stays current with market trends and customer demands
• Participates in and attends trade shows and continuing education opportunities
• Plans menus for daily offerings, seasonal or limited time specials, daily and special event catering for a wide variety of locations and applications
• Conducts food tastings and evaluate food presentation
• Works with food manufacturers and vendors to select best product / value for needs
• Ensures that food products and handling procedures adhere to local, state and federal regulations
• Contributes expertise in kitchen and servery design and / or remodeling projects
• Leads culinary teams in planning, training, set-up and opening new and / or remodeled accounts
• Collaborate with other departments such as Purchasing, Marketing and Business Development on special projects and Company initiatives
• Direct sustainability initiatives throughout Company locations
• Oversee Nutrition staff and programs
• Updates senior management, supervisory managers and account management teams on industry trends and new food programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of five years of progressive culinary experience in high volume, complex service and catering operations
• Minimum of two years of menu development
• Knowledge of budgets, food and labor costs, inventory controls
• Comprehensive knowledge of international cuisines and catering trends
• Thorough understanding of food equipment and safety standards
• Strong organizational, leadership, coaching and training skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and work demands
• Self-starter, innovative and ability to multitask
• Ability to travel extensively
• Capable of representing the Company in food service industry events and public relations appearances
• Strong computer skills; including MS office, recipe management and nutrition programs

Chartwells Schools 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.

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 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

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.