District Chef | Regional Culinary Leader

Harper Associates; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car

Relocation Assistance

Regional Travel ~30%

Job summary

Harper Associates in Cincinnati, OH, seeks a District Chef / Regional Culinary Leader to oversee culinary operations across multiple locations in the market. The role requires strategic oversight, hands-on coaching, and development of Executive Chefs and culinary teams.

Primary travel is regional (~30%), with relocation assistance available and a strong track record in high-end operations. This position offers up to $120K base plus 30% bonus and a company car.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary management experience.
• At least 2 years of multi-site or regional culinary leadership experience.
• Culinary degree preferred.
• Strong background in high-volume and sophisticated culinary operations.
• Experience with food cost management and operational expenditures.
• Proven ability to train, coach, and develop culinary leaders.
• Ability to scale recipes, systems, and operating standards across multiple locations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Genuine passion for mentoring chefs and building high-performing culinary teams.
• Interest in continued career growth within a leading foodservice organization.
• Experience in fine dining and upscale restaurant environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary performance across the Cincinnati market with ~30% regional travel.
• Provide training, operational oversight, and hands-on culinary support across multiple corporate dining accounts.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Executive Chefs and culinary teams.
• Drive culinary innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead menu planning and culinary program development.
• Standardize recipes, production methods, and execution across locations.
• Help culinary leaders strengthen food cost controls, purchasing, and inventory management.
• Implement training programs that improve culinary skill and consistency.
• Partner with marketing and culinary leadership to launch new programs and initiatives.
• Develop strategies that improve guest experience and client satisfaction and elevate regional performance.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Multi-site leadership

High-volume operations

Coaching and development

Food cost management

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

District Chef | Regional Culinary Leader

Cincinnati, Ohio | Director-Level Culinary Leadership

Up to $120K Base + 30% Bonus + Company Car

Primarily Monday-Friday | No Late Nights | ~30% Regional Travel

Relocation Assistance Available

Ready to take your culinary leadership beyond a single kitchen?

Harper Associates is seeking an accomplished District Chef / Regional Culinary Leader to oversee culinary operations across multiple locations throughout the Cincinnati market.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a Regional Executive Chef, Corporate Chef, Executive Chef, or Multi-Unit Culinary Leader who knows how to develop great chefs, raise culinary standards, drive innovation, and deliver consistent results across multiple operations.

Important: This position is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Candidates outside the area must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is available.

The Opportunity

As District Chef, you'll serve as the culinary leader for the market, combining strategic oversight with hands‑on coaching and development. You'll partner closely with Executive Chefs and culinary teams to strengthen food quality, consistency, safety, financial performance, and the overall guest experience.

This isn't a role where you'll simply oversee operations from a distance. We're looking for a leader who enjoys being in the field—teaching, mentoring, solving problems, developing talent, and helping culinary teams perform at a higher level.

Candidates coming from luxury hotels, convention properties, upscale hospitality, corporate dining, banquet/catering, or sophisticated multi-unit culinary environments are especially encouraged to apply.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Director-level regional leadership with influence across multiple locations
• Up to $120K base salary + 30% bonus + company car
• Primarily Monday-Friday schedule with no late nights
• Opportunity to mentor and develop Executive Chefs and culinary teams
• Balance of culinary creativity, strategy, training, and operations
• high-visibility position within a leading foodservice organization
• Strong potential for continued growth into Regional Executive Chef or Corporate Culinary leadership

What You’ll Do

• Lead culinary performance across the Cincinnati market, with approximately 30% regional travel
• Provide training, operational oversight, and hands‑on culinary support across multiple corporate dining accounts
• Coach, mentor, and develop Executive Chefs and culinary teams
• Drive culinary innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead menu planning and culinary program development
• Standardize recipes, production methods, and execution across locations
• Help culinary leaders strengthen food cost controls, purchasing, and inventory management
• Implement training programs that improve culinary skill and consistency
• Partner with marketing and culinary leadership to launch new programs and initiatives
• Develop strategies that improve guest experience and client satisfactionElevate operational and culinary performance throughout the region
• Maintain rigorous food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of culinary management experience
• At least 2 years of multi-site or regional culinary leadership experience
• Culinary degree preferred
• Strong background in high-volume and sophisticated culinary operations
• Experience with food cost management and operational expenditures
• Proven ability to train, coach, and develop culinary leaders
• Ability to scale recipes, systems, and operating standards across multiple locations
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Genuine passion for mentoring chefs and building high-performing culinary teams
• Interest in continued career growth within a leading foodservice organization
• Fine dining and upscale restaurants
• Luxury or large-scale hotels
• Convention and conference centers
• Banquet and catering operations
• Multi-unit foodservice and hospitality organizations