1

Culinary Operations Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef (USA Operations)

Denver, CO · On-site

$74K - $102K/yr

Experience managing budgets, costs, and operational performance through others * Experience in luxury, mobile, or remote culinary environments preferred Skills * Strong leadership presence and ...

Executive Chef (USA Operations)

Denver, CO · On-site

$74K - $102K/yr

Experience managing budgets, costs, and operational performance through others * Experience in luxury, mobile, or remote culinary environments preferred Skills * Strong leadership presence and ...

Key Responsibilities - Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service - The Culinary Manager may develop new and inspiring dishes for the menu - Manage and ...

Key Responsibilities - Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service - The Culinary Manager may develop new and inspiring dishes for the menu - Manage and ...

Culinary Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

$63K - $70K/yr

Key Responsibilities - Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service - The Culinary Manager may develop new and inspiring dishes for the menu - Manage and ...

CHEF MANAGER

Walsenburg, CO · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Your experience in culinary operations, staff training, and resource management will be essential in driving success. Job Summary Summary: As a Chef, you will ensure client and customer service ...

Operations Manager Status: Exempt Salary Range: $65,000- $70,000 Location: On-Site, Colorado ... Cross-Functional Collaboration · Work closely with culinary, marketing, HR, and leadership teams ...

Culinary Manager

Grand Junction, CO · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

At least one year of culinary management experience * ServSafe Certification ... Working knowledge of basic kitchen operations and food safety standards * Excellent verbal and ...

Culinary Manager

Grand Junction, CO · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

At least one year of culinary management experience * ServSafe Certification ... Working knowledge of basic kitchen operations and food safety standards * Excellent verbal and ...

Culinary Manager

Grand Junction, CO · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

At least one year of culinary management experience * ServSafe Certification ... Working knowledge of basic kitchen operations and food safety standards * Excellent verbal and ...

Culinary Manager

Grand Junction, CO · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

At least one year of culinary management experience * ServSafe Certification ... Working knowledge of basic kitchen operations and food safety standards * Excellent verbal and ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of all back-of-the-house functions for your assigned restaurant and for providing nothing but the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Culinary Operations Manager information

See Colorado salary details

$32.6K

$66.7K

$124.6K

How much do culinary operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary operations manager in Colorado is $66,725.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,100.00 and $81,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary operations manager?

Culinary Operations Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of kitchens or food service establishments, ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety standards are met. They manage kitchen staff, coordinate food preparation and presentation, and handle inventory and budgeting. Additionally, they develop menus, enforce health regulations, and implement training programs for the culinary team. Their role is crucial in maintaining smooth kitchen operations and delivering excellent dining experiences.

What does a culinary operations manager do?

A culinary operations manager oversees the daily functions of a food service operation, including managing staff, ensuring food quality and safety, controlling costs, and maintaining operational efficiency. They often coordinate with kitchen staff, implement policies, and may use management tools like inventory systems to ensure smooth restaurant or food service operations.

What is the difference between Culinary Operations Manager vs Kitchen Supervisor?

AspectCulinary Operations ManagerKitchen Supervisor
CredentialsRelevant culinary certifications, management experienceFood safety certifications, culinary experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple kitchens or departments, strategic planningManages daily kitchen activities, supervises staff
Employer & IndustryHotels, restaurants, catering companiesRestaurants, institutional kitchens
Search & ComparisonOften compared for managerial roles in culinary settingsCommonly searched for operational oversight roles

The Culinary Operations Manager focuses on strategic management, overseeing multiple kitchens or departments, and ensuring overall operational success. In contrast, the Kitchen Supervisor handles daily kitchen activities and staff supervision. Both roles require culinary experience and certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by a culinary operations manager and how are they typically addressed?

Culinary Operations Managers often face challenges such as maintaining consistent food quality across multiple outlets, managing inventory costs, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. These challenges are typically addressed by implementing standardized operating procedures, conducting regular staff training, and utilizing technology for inventory and scheduling. Strong communication and collaboration with both kitchen staff and front-of-house teams are crucial to promptly resolve issues and maintain smooth operations. Staying adaptable and proactive in addressing feedback also helps ensure ongoing improvements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary operations manager?

To excel as a Culinary Operations Manager, you need strong expertise in culinary arts, food safety standards, and business management, often supported by a degree in hospitality or culinary management. Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale (POS) software, and certifications such as ServSafe are commonly required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are critical soft skills for managing teams and ensuring smooth operations. These competencies ensure consistent food quality, efficient workflows, and high levels of customer satisfaction in a competitive hospitality environment.
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Colorado? For Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Operations Manager jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Culinary Operations Manager jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Culinary Operations Manager job openings:

Executive Chef (USA Operations)

Rocky Mountaineer

Denver, CO • On-site

$74K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Armstrong Collective is the parent company of Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, creating unforgettable rail journeys through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Western Canada and the American Southwest. Guided by our values-Create Meaningful Moments, Be One Team, and Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes-we show up every day with pride, ownership, and a shared commitment to excellence. We work hard, support one another, embrace new possibilities, and celebrate growth, all in a respectful and inclusive environment where integrity, collaboration, and passion for the guest experience lead the way.
Purpose
The Executive Chef reports directly to the Director, RTR Guest Experience, with a dotted-line accountability to the Director, Culinary Strategy. This role is accountable for leading and executing all Canyon Spirit onboard culinary operations through others, ensuring that the culinary program delivers exceptional, consistent, and safe guest experiences while supporting business objectives.
The Executive Chef provides clear direction, builds leadership capability, and aligns people, partners, and processes to translate culinary vision into reliable execution within a mobile, safety-critical environment. The role partners closely with Culinary Strategy, Operations, Catering, Procurement, and Guest Experience to ensure seamless delivery from concept to service.
This position is deemed Safety Alert. This position requires the incumbent to periodically access an active railway area where impaired performance could result in a significant incident affecting the health and safety of team members, guests, the public, property, or the environment.
Key Accountabilities
Culinary Program Leadership & Ownership
  • Lead and continuously evolve the onboard culinary program, ensuring alignment with brand standards, guest expectations, and operational realities.
  • Translate culinary strategy into clear, achievable standards, processes, and expectations for onboard execution.
  • Provide direction and oversight for menu development, costing, and seasonal refreshes in partnership with Culinary Strategy and catering partners.
  • Hold teams and partners accountable for consistent food quality, presentation, and service delivery across all departures.
  • Represent the onboard culinary function as the senior decision-maker for special events, charters, and brand activations.

Team Engagement & People Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of 20+ culinary professionals, including direct leadership of the Chef de Cuisine.
  • Create a high-performing, inclusive, and accountable team culture aligned to company values and business priorities.
  • Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and address performance issues promptly and constructively.
  • Build leadership capability within the team to support succession planning, continuity, and operational resilience.
  • Partner with Training to design, deliver, and evaluate onboarding and seasonal training that supports consistent standards and safe execution.
  • Support recruitment and onboarding of talent to ensure the team is well-equipped to deliver against operational and guest experience goals.
  • Lead communication and coordination with Planning & Logistics and onboard leadership to ensure effective schedule and resource management.
  • Empower team members to take ownership of outcomes while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Leadership
  • Act as the primary liaison between onboard culinary operations and internal partners including Procurement, Marketing, Sales, Product, Rail Operations, GEC, and Destinations.
  • Lead collaboration with catering partners to ensure accurate provisioning, quality standards, and operational readiness.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, consistency, and service delivery across onboard culinary operations.
  • Lead and communicate change initiatives that impact onboard teams, ensuring understanding, engagement, and effective adoption.
  • Champion strong working relationships and effective communication across departments and external partners to support shared outcomes.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Leadership
  • Lead and reinforce a strong onboard safety culture, including timely incident reporting and follow-through.
  • Provide oversight and accountability for onboard food safety programs, audits, and regulatory compliance.
  • Support Workplace Health & Safety Committee activities and onboard safety training participation.
  • Ensure adherence to emergency preparedness and response plans, modelling calm, decisive leadership when required.

Guest Programs & Experience Delivery
  • Use guest feedback, data insights, and team input to identify opportunities to improve service delivery and elevate guest experiences.
  • Balance innovation with operational feasibility to ensure new programs can be executed safely and consistently.
  • Oversee all documentation related to onboard culinary programs, service standards, recipes, station guides, and safety procedures.
  • Act as key contact and project lead for culinary-related events, activations, and special programs onboard or off the train.

Fiscal Accountability
  • Ensure accurate guest and crew information is provided to catering partners to support correct provisioning.
  • Guide the Chef de Cuisine in effective ordering, inventory control, and waste reduction practices.
  • Oversee onboard inventory, portion control, ratio loading, and cost management to meet or exceed financial targets.
  • Identify and act on opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies without compromising quality or safety.

Annual Planning & Strategic Contribution
  • Lead goal setting and action planning for the onboard culinary team, aligned with broader business objectives.
  • Champion the Onboard Environmental Program and responsible sourcing practices.
  • Strengthen partnerships with catering providers to support long-term performance, reliability, and mutual accountability.

Experience
  • 5-8+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience
  • Proven experience leading teams of 20+ and developing people leaders
  • Experience managing budgets, costs, and operational performance through others
  • Experience in luxury, mobile, or remote culinary environments preferred

Skills
  • Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across functions
  • Clear communicator capable of leading through change
  • Organized, execution-focused leader with strong follow-through
  • Data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement mindset

Compensation
  • The base salary offered for this role is $105,000 - $115,000 per annum and can vary based on job-related expertise, qualifications, experience and internal equity.
  • Eligible for Armstrong Collective's Bonus Program

Eligible Benefits
All team members regularly working 30 hours per week will be eligible for our group benefits plan, which includes:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
  • Short term disability, long term disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy
  • Travel emergency assistance
  • Business travel accident insurance and business travel emergency medical insurance
  • Vacation, Sick-time, Company holidays

*We use E-Verify as part of our hiring practices to comply with having a lawful workforce.
The Armstrong Collective is an equal opportunity employer, driven by our values of creating meaningful moments, being one team, and achieving extraordinary outcomes. Our strong company culture supports our vision of a diverse, open, safe, and respectful workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. If you require any accommodation during the application process or throughout your employment, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure your needs are met and to create a supportive environment.
Please ensure to opt-in for text messages when you apply in order to receive interview updates.
This job description is not exhaustive of all duties and will encompass additional duties assigned. Responsibilities, title, reporting structure and duties may be changed in response to business requirements.
#CanyonSpirit
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.