Hybrid Culinary Operations Manager — Cruise Fleet

Lindblad Expeditions; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel benefits

Voyage trips

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Long-Term Disability

Flexible Spending Account

Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit

Paid Holidays

Floating Holiday

Vacation time

Parental leave

Sick days

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Lindblad Expeditions seeks a seasoned Manager of Culinary Operations to lead culinary programs across the fleet, ensuring high quality, cost control, and innovation. The role collaborates with the Culinary Trainer, purchasing team, onboard staff, and hotel leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences and SOPs.

The position supports training, recipe costing, menu development, and compliance with USPH standards, with hybrid work in New York and Seattle offices.

Qualifications

• Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of culinary education and professional experience.
• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or Culinary Manager roles.
• Experience in cruise, maritime, luxury hospitality, resort, or large-scale food service operations preferred.
• Experience developing menus, recipe costing, food ordering, inventory planning, and provisioning.
• Experience managing culinary budgets, food cost targets, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing culinary teams.
• Experience implementing food safety programs and USPH standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop season-specific menu matrices using standard product guides and regional trends.
• Create strategic ordering plans based on vessel storage capacity and itineraries.
• Monitor voyage food costs by vessel to meet targets.
• Review and approve general culinary food orders within budgets.
• Develop recipe costing and standardized recipes for menu items.
• Support new culinary initiatives directed by hotel leadership with creativity and innovation.
• Ensure onboard teams complete evaluations and develop staff development plans.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Budgeting

Food safety

USPH standards

Menu engineering

Inventory planning

Team coaching

Excel

Education

Degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lindblad Expeditions seeks a seasoned Manager of Culinary Operations to lead culinary programs across the fleet, ensuring high quality, cost control, and innovation. The role collaborates with the Culinary Trainer, purchasing team, onboard staff, and hotel leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences and SOPs.

The position supports training, recipe costing, menu development, and compliance with USPH standards, with hybrid work in New York and Seattle offices.