Director, Culinary Services

Sodexo; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 115,940 - 150,040; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Regional Chef to support 17 accounts in California, Washington, and Hawaii. This systems-focused culinary leadership role designs and maintains the operational backbone that powers menu consistency, data accuracy, and recipe execution across the organization.

The role emphasizes data-driven culinary systems and cross-functional collaboration to ensure quality standards. The position requires strong experience in recipe development, data systems, and cost visibility, with West

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5 years management experience.
• 3–5 years related experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain systems that ensure menu consistency and data accuracy.
• Lead data-driven optimization of culinary operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align culinary strategy with operations.

Skills

recipe development

standardization

compliance

culinary data systems

menu management

nutritional databases

data analysis

cross-functional

operational efficiency

team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Menu management platforms

Nutritional databases

Job description

We are looking for a Regional Chef to support 17 accounts in our Stadiums & Arenas, Cultural Destinations, & Convention Center units in California, Washington, and Hawaii. Candidate must reside on the West Coast.

About the job

In this systems-focused culinary leadership role, you’ll design and maintain the operational backbone that powers menu consistency, data accuracy, and recipe execution across the organization. You’ll play a critical role in optimizing culinary systems, ensuring quality standards, and streamlining how food service data is created, managed, and applied in the field.

The role of an individual contributor within the organization focuses on completing specific tasks and projects; contributing directly through their skills and expertise. Performs specialized technical tasks to support operations. Work is primarily achieved independently, however may collaborate with a team.

Pay Range: $115940 - $150040

What’s in it for you

• Shape how culinary operations run by developing the systems and standards that ensure consistency and excellence.
• Design and implement workflows that drive efficiency and accuracy across menu and recipe management.
• Play a key role in aligning ingredient data, nutritional standards, and cost visibility across the organization.
• Contribute directly to the development of high-impact SOPs that enhance execution at scale.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between culinary vision and operational systems.
• Lead efforts that influence food quality, guest satisfaction, and operational reliability.
• Gain visibility as a systems expert who bridges culinary creativity with data-driven execution.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in recipe development, standardization, and compliance across diverse food service environments.
• Technical skills in culinary data systems, including menu management platforms and nutritional databases.
• Skillset to create and implement scalable processes that ensure consistency, accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Experience monitoring and improving recipe performance through data analysis and continuous refinement.
• Collaborative mindset with the skills to work cross-functionally to align culinary strategy with operational execution.

Requirements

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Management Experience: 5 years
• Related Experience: 3-5 years

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.