ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Culinary Development Jobs in Washington

Jose Andres Group

People Director DC

Washington, DC · On-site

Through our restaurants, bars, hotels, and culinary experiences, we create extraordinary ... Leadership Development & Talent Management * Partner with Talent Acquisition on workforce planning ...

José Andrés Group

People Director DC

Washington, DC · On-site

Through our restaurants, bars, hotels, and culinary experiences, we create extraordinary ... Leadership Development & Talent Management * Partner with Talent Acquisition on workforce planning ...

Compass Group

Director of Dining Services

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... and beverage/culinary operation ensuring resident and client satisfaction by providing a ... You will oversee the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures ...

Compass Group

Director of Dining Services

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... and beverage/culinary operation ensuring resident and client satisfaction by providing a ... You will oversee the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures ...

Unidine

Director of Dining Services

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... and beverage/culinary operation ensuring resident and client satisfaction by providing a ... You will oversee the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures ...

First Batch

Director of Sales

Washington, DC · On-site

$150K/yr

The Director of Sales will be responsible for the oversight, growth and development of social and ... Create new, and maintain existing, event products via collaboration with Culinary, Operations and ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsCulinary Development JobsDirector Culinary Development JobsDirector Culinary Development Jobs in Washington

Director Culinary Development information

See Washington salary details

$18.1K

$108.4K

$201.6K

How much do director culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary development in Washington is $108,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,800.00 and $129,700.00 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 Washington?

For Director Culinary Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Culinary Development jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Culinary Development jobs in Washington are:

Director Culinary Development jobs near you

Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing

Nando's Restaurant Group

Washington, DC • On-site

$206K - $233K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing
(Commercial Team - Restaurant Support)
WHO WE ARE
Nando's PERi-PERi USA is a growing restaurant group looking for a full-time Director, Supply Chain & Product Sourcing to join our Restaurant Support family. We're known for our flame-grilled chicken, our South African roots, and our passion for putting people at the center of everything we do. We believe in changing lives through food, connection, and opportunity - and we lead with heart in every decision we make.
NANDO'S VISION
We want to be the most loved restaurant brand in North America - sharing the spirit of Nando's PERi-PERi with everyone who chooses to access it. We will redesign and build a business that thrives as it fully answers our consumers' needs and endures over time by putting people at the heart of what we do. We will lead with our values and act with care, compassion, and kindness. By doing this, we will Change Lives Together, every day and everywhere.
THE ROLE
This Director role is a key leadership position within our Commercial team - responsible for building, strengthening, and stewarding the supplier ecosystem that keeps our restaurants running with excellence, consistency, and heart. You will lead the full "field-to-fork" supply chain for ingredients and products, ensuring that everything we serve reflects our brand hallmarks, our commitment to quality, and our ambition to scale.
You will shape the sourcing strategy, deepen supplier partnerships, and ensure our supply chain is safe, resilient, and ready for the future. You'll collaborate closely with Culinary, Operations, Marketing, and cross-functional partners to bring new products to life, protect food safety, and ensure our restaurants have what they need to deliver 14 Brilliant Shifts.
As with all members of the Nando's Restaurant Support team, the Director of Supply Chain & Product Sourcing is expected to wear multiple hats, seek out opportunities to make Nando's better every day, and be a values-led teammate who lifts others through clarity, care, and collaboration.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supply Chain & Product Management
  • Lead the full sourcing lifecycle for all ingredients and products - from field to fork - ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment to brand hallmarks.
  • Partner with Culinary, Operations, and Marketing to evaluate new products, assess feasibility, and ensure scalability across full-service and fast-casual environments.
  • Serve as the connective tissue between suppliers, distributors, and internal teams to ensure smooth communication, proactive issue resolution, and operational readiness.
  • Identify emerging trends, technologies, and supplier capabilities that strengthen efficiency, resilience, and distribution evolution.
  • Oversee product transitions, exceptions, and communications to ensure restaurants have what they need to deliver brilliant experiences.

Supplier Collaboration & Commercialization
  • Build strong, strategic partnerships with suppliers to enable rapid innovation and seamless product launches.
  • Oversee product specifications, compliance, and quality standards during development, first production runs, and commercialization.
  • Negotiate and manage supplier agreements that support long-term brand objectives, cost stewardship, and supply reliability.
  • Monitor supplier performance and proactively address risks to maintain consistency, integrity, and trust across the supply chain.

Food Safety & Quality Compliance
  • Embed, measure, and calibrate food safety and quality assurance KPIs across all products - present and future.
  • Ensure suppliers maintain scalable food safety programs aligned with FDA Food Code, FSMA, GFSI, and industry best practices.
  • Monitor emerging food safety technologies and regulatory changes to keep Nando's ahead of compliance requirements.
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Collaborate with Operations, Culinary, Marketing, Training, and Commercial partners to ensure product readiness, operational feasibility, and brand alignment.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor on supply chain risk, cost implications, and long-term sourcing strategy.
  • Support new restaurant openings and market expansion through supply chain readiness and vendor alignment.
  • Lead with an "I am because we are" mindset - strengthening trust, removing friction, and ensuring shared success across functions.

WORK ARRANGEMENT
Work Location - This role is based in Washington, D.C. and includes full-time presence at our Restaurant Support Office. You are expected to travel as needed for business purposes, which may occasionally include weekends and special events. All business travel must comply with our company's travel policies. Eligible business-related expenses, including airfare, lodging, car rental, parking, and meals, will be reimbursed upon submission of a properly completed and timely expense report, subject to approval. Additionally, you are required to maintain all necessary travel documents in good standing throughout your employment.
Compensation: $130,000-$170,000
TYPICAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Food Science, or related field preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in foodservice supply chain management, either on the client or vendor side including poultry experience.
  • Proven leadership in multi-city distribution networks with custom ingredients in their portfolio (strongly preferred).
  • Demonstrated expertise in vendor, freight, and distribution management.
  • Familiarity with supply chain systems and data analytics tools to support performance measurement and decision-making.
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMPs, FSMA requirements, and GFSI schemes preferred.
  • Ability to travel up to 25% across North America.
  • Strong communication, relationship-building, and cross-functional leadership skills - grounded in care, clarity, and accountability.

Compensation: $130,000-$170,000

Apply