Director of Culinary Innovation & Dining Experience

Forefront; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Forefront seeks a Director of Culinary Services to provide strategic leadership across residential dining, retail, and catering. You will drive menu innovation, achieve financial targets, and ensure exceptional dining experiences aligned with our mission.

The role reports to senior management and oversees multiple service lines with a focus on quality and compliance. The position is exempt and salaried, with expected hours including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Leads culinary operations with focus on quality, service, and financial results.
• Must manage budgets, food and labor costs, and purchasing strategies.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and safety across all dining programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and events.
• Own food and labor cost performance; develop budgets and forecasts.
• Recruit, train, and mentor high-performing culinary teams.
• Ensure health, safety, sanitation, and accreditation readiness across facilities.
• Partner with residents, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction and program growth.
• Execute corporate culinary programs, standards, and special initiatives.
• Occasional travel for company meetings.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Culinary operations

Menu development

Regulatory compliance

Vendor partnerships

Team leadership

Resident/client satisfaction

Tools

ServSafe

HACCP

Job description

Forefront seeks a Director of Culinary Services to provide strategic leadership across residential dining, retail, and catering. You will drive menu innovation, achieve financial targets, and ensure exceptional dining experiences aligned with our mission.

The role reports to senior management and oversees multiple service lines with a focus on quality and compliance. The position is exempt and salaried, with expected hours including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.