Remote Director of Culinary Innovation & Menu R&D

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health and dental insurance

Professional development

Paid time off

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is looking for a Director of Culinary Innovation to shape and lead culinary strategy on a global scale. This fully remote role requires a visionary, data-driven chef with a track record in R&D, menu development, and cross-brand collaboration to drive innovative concepts across restaurant and hotel brands.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of senior culinary leadership, a strong foundation in food science, and a passion for diverse global cuisines, sustainability, and guest

Qualifications

• Culinary degree from a recognized institution or equivalent extensive professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 5 years in a senior culinary leadership, R&D, or menu development role.
• Proven track record of successful menu development and innovation in a multi-unit or large-scale hospitality environment.
• Deep knowledge of food science, nutrition, and various global cuisines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, development, and implementation of innovative culinary concepts and menu engineering across all restaurant and hotel brands.
• Conduct extensive research into global food trends, emerging ingredients, dietary needs, and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Collaborate with executive chefs and culinary teams to pilot, refine, and launch new dishes and menu items.
• Develop and maintain robust culinary standards, recipes, and plating guides to ensure consistency and quality.
• Oversee pilot programs and provide guidance for menu rollouts in various locations.
• Manage culinary budgets, control food costs, and optimize sourcing strategies for ingredients.
• Champion sustainable and ethical food sourcing initiatives within the supply chain.
• Train and mentor culinary staff on new techniques, concepts, and quality standards.
• Stay current with advancements in food technology, preparation methods, and presentation techniques.
• Work closely with marketing and brand development teams to align culinary offerings with brand positioning and promotional campaigns.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Food science

Global cuisines

Budget management

Project management

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Placements24 is looking for a Director of Culinary Innovation to shape and lead culinary strategy on a global scale. This fully remote role requires a visionary, data-driven chef with a track record in R&D, menu development, and cross-brand collaboration to drive innovative concepts across restaurant and hotel brands.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of senior culinary leadership, a strong foundation in food science, and a passion for diverse global cuisines, sustainability, and guest