Director, Product Development (Food)

Sodexo; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 116,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a System Culinary Director to lead culinary excellence across University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and to develop innovative food concepts. This role will also oversee live demonstrations and interactive culinary experiences, blending creativity with strategic product planning.

You’ll manage a diverse portfolio, collaborate with clients to tailor offerings, and drive cost-effective, on-trend food solutions in a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5 years of management experience required.
• 5 years of related culinary/food service experience required.
• Experience developing scalable, trend-forward recipes and products.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary excellence across multiple brands and client partnerships.
• Develop innovative recipes and food concepts for university hospital settings.
• Oversee testing, implementation, and training of new food programs.
• Collaborate with clients to tailor offerings to brand and audience.
• Manage a diverse product portfolio and lead cross-functional teams.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Food innovation

Client-facing communication

Budget management

Project planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Sodexo is seeking System Culinary Director to lead culinary excellence across University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Will also develop innovative food concepts, conduct live cooking demonstrations and interactive culinary experiences

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s license record check is required.

About the job

This role is designed for a creative, detail-oriented food innovator who blends culinary expertise with strategic product planning. You’ll lead the development of cutting-edge recipes and offerings, manage a diverse product portfolio, and collaborate with clients to bring bold, on-trend food solutions to life.

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $115940 - $140040

Incentive Eligibility:

Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What’s in it for you

• Drive culinary innovation by leading new recipe and product development across multiple food brands.
• Collaborate directly with clients to tailor offerings that align with their brand, goals, and audience preferences.
• Oversee testing, implementation, and training processes to ensure seamless rollout of new food programs.
• Play a key role in shaping consumer experiences by managing a portfolio of flavorful, scalable, and cost-effective products.
• Be part of community-focused initiatives that bring food innovation beyond the kitchen.
• Gain visibility by working cross-functionally with culinary, retail, and strategic leadership teams.
• Join a company that values food creativity, operational excellence, and purpose-driven innovation.

What you’ll bring

• Culinary expertise and a passion for food innovation, with experience developing scalable, trend-forward recipes and products.
• Project planning and time management skills to lead multiple initiatives from concept to launch across diverse client segments.
• Excellent communication and client-facing abilities, with a talent for translating culinary vision into compelling, brand-aligned solutions.
• Financial acumen to manage budgets, ensure cost-effective product development, and align with profitability goals.
• Agility and resilience in fast-paced environments, with the skills to adapt to shifting priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes consistently.

Requirements

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