Seeking : Culinary Innovation Specialist (K-12/Residential/Corporate Food Service)
Who You Are
You are not just a chef-you are:
A problem solver who can walk into a struggling kitchen and immediately see what's wrong
A coach who can develop people without alienating them
A doer who is just as comfortable on the line as you are training a room
A leader without ego who can influence across all levels
You likely come from:
High-volume foodservice, contract dining, or multi-unit operations
Environments where consistency, cost control, and execution matter
Minimum Qualifications
3-5+ years in large-scale foodservice (K-12, healthcare, or institutional strongly preferred)
Proven ability to train, lead, and influence diverse teams
Strong understanding of food safety, production systems, and kitchen operations
Working knowledge of USDA meal patterns / school nutrition compliance
Willingness to travel up to 75% (this is a field role)
Valid driver's license + reliable transportation
ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain quickly)
What Separates Top Candidates
You've fixed broken operations before
You can balance culinary creativity with operational reality
You know how to drive participation and customer satisfaction, not just cook food
You've led training that actually changed outcomes
You understand food cost, labor efficiency, and waste control
Compensation & Upside
Competitive base salary (aligned to top regional talent)
Mileage/ travel reimbursement
Full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k)
Clear path to senior leadership
Career Trajectory (This Role Is a Launchpad)
Top performers in this role move quickly into leadership:
Culinary Innovation Specialist
Regional Culinary Manager / Corporate Chef
Director of Culinary Operations
VP, Culinary / Operational Excellence
Executive Leadership Track (SVP / COO pathway)
This role gives you exposure to:
Multi-site operational leadership
Menu strategy and financial performance
Client-facing influence and retention strategy
System-wide impact-not just one kitchen
Why This Role Matters
At Whitsons Culinary Group, we don't believe school food should be average.
This role directly impacts:
Student experience
Program participation (and financial performance)
Team capability across an entire region
You won't just run kitchens-you'll elevate them.
Apply If You Want to Be Pushed
If you're looking to:
Stay comfortable this isn't the role
Grow fast, take ownership, and be challenged we want to talk
This role offers a salary range of $65,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.