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Director Culinary Development Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Operations Dir - Chick-fil-A

Memphis, TN · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Facilitates the development and implementation of the annual budget, financial forecasts and other ... Develops and communicates ongoing proprietary culinary standards, objectives, and goals ...

New

Associate Director

Memphis, TN · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

... culinary, nutritional, and operational expertise to provide consistency and transform the health ... The Associate Director is also responsible for promoting the professional growth and development of ...

... development, proposal delivery, negotiation, and contract signature ... You'll partner with operations, culinary, clinical, and finance teams to craft compelling solutions ...

... and culinary services. We serve public and private entities worldwide, combining top talent ... development projects. Ready to be part of our dynamic, mission-driven team? Let's get started! What ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Culinary Development information

See Tennessee salary details

$14.5K

$86.9K

$161.6K

How much do director culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary development in Tennessee is $86,867.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,200.00 and $103,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of culinary development?

To thrive as a Director of Culinary Development, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu innovation experience, and a background in food service management, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional certifications. Familiarity with recipe management software, food costing tools, and industry-standard kitchen equipment is essential. Strong leadership, creativity, and excellent communication skills help drive team performance and foster collaboration across departments. These skills are vital for developing successful culinary programs, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining a competitive edge in the food industry.

What does a director of culinary development do?

A Director of Culinary Development oversees the creation and enhancement of menu items, recipes, and food concepts for a restaurant, hospitality group, or food company. They work closely with chefs, product developers, and marketing teams to ensure that new dishes align with brand standards and customer preferences. Their responsibilities often include trend research, menu innovation, quality control, and managing culinary teams. This role requires a blend of creativity, leadership, and a deep understanding of culinary techniques and market trends.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of culinary development, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Culinary Development often encounters challenges such as keeping up with rapidly changing food trends, ensuring consistency across multiple locations, and managing cross-functional collaboration between culinary teams and other departments like marketing and operations. To address these, it's important to stay informed about industry innovations, implement clear training protocols, and foster open communication with stakeholders. Building a strong team culture and establishing regular feedback mechanisms also help in overcoming obstacles and driving continuous improvement.
What are popular job titles related to Director Culinary Development jobs in Tennessee? For Director Culinary Development jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Culinary Development jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Director Culinary Development jobs in Tennessee are:
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Regional Director of Operations (Healthcare)

The Waters of Shelbyville

Shelbyville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Regional Food Service Director:

To oversee all assigned facilities, ensuring leadership and guidance in operations, finances, human resources and client relationships, while providing direct supervision to the facility Food Service Directors.

Regional Food Service Director Key Accountabilities:

  • Actively support and apply all company and facility policies and procedures to ensure the highest quality of service is being provided to our customers at the lowest possible cost.

  • Work with Corporate and/or onsite dietitians to ensure that all federal and state requirements are being achieved.

  • Cultivate and maintain business partnerships with clients by developing a broad knowledge and understanding of clients’ and their customers’ needs and expectations, including:

  • Establish and maintain internal Quality Assurance and Assessment processes in each assigned facility, including inspections, annual client satisfaction surveys, keep the company and its facilities on the cutting edge of our industry.

  • Actively participate in food service-related committees within assigned facilities (if applicable), or otherwise be involved in and visible at special events within each assigned facility, to demonstrate the company’s team approach and commitment to the clients

  • Plan and develop each unit’s operational budgets and demonstrate an understanding of the company’s financial objectives for each unit. Financial responsibilities include:

  • Review financial results weekly and monthly and make necessary adjustments to improve operational performance.

  • Develop a weekly financial plan to include sales, menu and production records, food purchases, inventory, and labor productivity to assist each unit in achieving its budget targets.

  • Educate Food Service Directors for each facility in P&L process (where applicable) and review month-end results for each facility with its Food Service Director.

  • Ensure all established Accounting practices and timelines are consistently adhered to.

  • Provides assistance as needed, with new business bids, rebids for current clients/customers, and the development of new programs, including:

  • Renegotiate contract terms and/or fee/pricing increases with client, when necessary.

  • Participate in assessment and Performa development, proposal writing and presentations, when necessary.

  • Manage transition of new business accounts.

  • Conduct audits and evaluate each facility’s performance in the areas of food production, menu and recipe standards, sanitation, uniforms, purchasing, inventories, safety, payroll, human resources compliance and record keeping.

  • Demonstrate working knowledge of operational, accounting and human resources policies and procedures (i.e. new hire process, payroll, etc.).

  • Ensure all human resources and safety practices and policies are intact and adhered to.

  • Hold Food Service Directors and employees accountable for behavior and performance, following Corrective Action guidelines when necessary.

  • Conduct training and development needs assessment of Food Service Directors and arrange necessary training, including the areas of food and cost productions, customer services, team building, time management, human resources skills, etc.

  • Communicate with and assist in developing goals and objectives for each Food Service Director. Meet with Food Service Directors on an individual basis to assess goals and areas of opportunity.

  • Support Food Service Directors in conducting training and development needs assessment of employees and assist in arranging appropriate training sessions/tools.

  • Ensure companies systems are followed and in compliance daily

Regional Food Service Director Minimum Requirements:

  • High School diploma required.

  • Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or related field preferred.

  • Minimum 2-5 years’ experience coordinating food service operations.

  • Demonstrated ability to lead and guide teams.

  • Strong initiative.

  • Strong ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.

  • Skill in the use of operating basic office equipment.

  • Ability to travel frequently.