Culinary Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Food Program Project Manager, Culinary Operations & Program Growth
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Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!
Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Project Manager to lead high-impact initiatives focused on opening new cafés, managing buildouts, and driving operational readiness across our global food program. This role blends strategic project leadership with hands-on coordination of construction teams, permitting processes, and cross-functional partners to ensure each new location launches smoothly, on time, and within budget.
As part of the Strategic Projects team, the Project Manager will support initiatives that span operational support, continuous improvement, and innovation-always with a strong emphasis on bringing new foodservice spaces to life and elevating the guest experience.
Key Responsibilities
New Café Openings & Construction Coordination
Lead end-to-end project management for new café openings, renovations, and facility buildouts.
Partner closely with construction teams, architects, general contractors, and facilities to manage timelines, site readiness, and buildout progress.
Oversee permitting processes, ensuring all required approvals are obtained on schedule.
Conduct site walks, track punch-list items, and ensure all construction milestones are met prior to launch.
Coordinate equipment procurement, delivery, and installation to align with construction timelines.
Operational Readiness & Launch Execution
Drive cross-functional alignment with Culinary, Catering, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless opening day execution.
Develop and implement SOPs, operational workflows, and readiness plans tailored to each new site.
Ensure KPI and SLA targets are embedded into launch planning and post-opening stabilization.
Facilitate training, communication, and change management activities to prepare on-site teams.
Project Planning & Delivery
Define project scope, goals, and deliverables that support business and operational objectives.
Build detailed work plans, staffing strategies, and resource allocation models for each project phase.
Manage timelines, budgets, risks, and dependencies to ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within funding parameters.
Adjust schedules, plans, or resources proactively as conditions evolve.
Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration
Serve as the central point of coordination across internal teams, external partners, and senior leadership.
Drive proactive communication across platforms (Slack, OmniXM, client updates) and all organizational levels.
Build strong relationships with sponsors, business owners, field operations, and construction partners.
Documentation, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Create and maintain project documentation including status reports, work plans, presentations, and site readiness checklists.
Aggregate and summarize project feedback for leadership review and future project optimization.
Identify opportunities for process improvement across buildouts, openings, and operational workflows.
Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degrees (MBA, MSOD, CPA) preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience managing large, complex projects-preferably involving new site openings, construction coordination, or operational rollouts.
• Experience navigating permitting processes and working with construction or facilities teams strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate in a highly matrixed environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools; familiarity with construction or facilities management platforms a plus.
• Positive, can-do attitude with the ability to navigate competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!
Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID: 1561095
Bon Appetit
BRYAN GONI