Remote Culinary Director

Placements24; Graafwater; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Executive salary + bonus structure

Define culinary direction

Collaborative team environment

Professional development resources

Nationwide impact

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Remote Culinary Director to lead our creative culinary strategy and elevate dining experiences across our service areas. You will shape menus, standards, and best practices while guiding dispersed teams from anywhere.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years of leadership in high-end catering, with strong expertise in costing, sustainability, and remote collaboration. This executive role offers remarkable scope and impact.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years in culinary leadership, ideally high-end catering or multi-unit ops.
• Proven track record in menu development, culinary innovation and event execution.
• Experience leading dispersed culinary teams across regions.
• Strong understanding of food costing, inventory, and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine innovative menus aligned with trends and client expectations across events.
• Set and maintain high culinary standards for quality, presentation and safety.
• Lead, mentor and inspire remote culinary teams.
• Oversee food cost control, inventory optimization and waste reduction.

Skills

Menu development

Culinary leadership

Remote team management

Food costing

HACCP & food safety

Strategic thinking

Education

Formal culinary education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Virtual collaboration tools

Digital kitchen management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a national leader in gourmet catering and event services, is seeking an visionary Remote Culinary Director to lead their creative culinary strategy. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to shape the gastronomic future of our brand from anywhere. You will be responsible for developing innovative menus, setting high culinary standards, managing culinary teams virtually, and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for clients across all our service areas, with a particular focus on elevating offerings in regions like the Paarl, Western Cape . The ideal candidate is a proven culinary leader with extensive experience in menu innovation, team leadership, and operational excellence. You will leverage your expertise to inspire creativity, drive quality, and maintain our reputation for culinary excellence. This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of food trends, costing, and sustainable practices, capable of guiding our culinary vision remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine innovative, high-quality menus that align with market trends and client expectations across diverse event types.
• Set and maintain exceptional culinary standards for food quality, presentation, and safety across all operations.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire remote culinary teams, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
• Oversee culinary budget management, including food cost control, inventory optimization, and waste reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with operations and sales teams to ensure seamless execution of culinary aspects for all events.
• Conduct virtual culinary training sessions and workshops to enhance team skills and consistency.
• Stay abreast of global culinary trends, sourcing opportunities, and innovative techniques to maintain a competitive edge.
• Develop and implement sustainable sourcing and kitchen practices.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and internal quality control standards.
• Evaluate and approve new suppliers and ingredients to ensure the highest quality and ethical sourcing.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in culinary leadership, preferably within high-end catering or multi-unit restaurant operations.
• Proven track record in menu development, culinary innovation, and execution for large-scale events.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing dispersed culinary teams effectively.
• Exceptional understanding of food costing, inventory management, and budgetary control.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP principles, and sustainable culinary practices.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for remote engagement.
• Proficiency with virtual collaboration tools and digital kitchen management systems.
• A passion for mentorship and developing culinary talent.
• Formal culinary education or equivalent professional experience is required. Experience relevant to the Western Cape culinary scene is a plus.

Benefits

• Fully remote position offering significant work-life balance and flexibility.
• Highly competitive executive-level salary and bonus structure.
• Opportunity to define the culinary direction for a leading national brand.
• Work with a creative and passionate team committed to excellence.
• Access to resources for professional development and innovation.
• Make a significant impact on the company's culinary success nationwide.