1

Director Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Culinary Director a salary position responsible for overseeing all aspects of culinary ... Recipe Development and Culinary Innovation: * Develop new recipes and build creative menu ideas ...

Culinary Director Location: Remote (Must live within a 25-mile radius of a venue) Reporting to ... Support franchise partners with culinary innovation and menu * Develop franchise-ready culinary ...

Culinary Director Location: Remote (Must live within a 25-mile radius of a venue) Reporting to ... Support franchise partners with culinary innovation and menu * Develop franchise-ready culinary ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Director Culinary Innovation information

See salary details

$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do director culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary innovation in the United States is $96,881.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Culinary Innovation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Culinary Innovation, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu development experience, and a degree in culinary arts or a related field. Familiarity with food safety standards, R&D processes, and kitchen management systems is typically required, along with certifications such as ServSafe. Creativity, leadership, and strong communication skills set standout candidates apart by enabling effective team collaboration and trend-setting ideation. These skills are crucial to successfully leading culinary teams, developing market-responsive menus, and ensuring operational excellence.

What does a Director of Culinary Innovation do?

A Director of Culinary Innovation leads the development of new food concepts, recipes, and menu items within a restaurant group, food company, or hospitality organization. They research food trends, collaborate with chefs and product developers, and oversee the testing and implementation of new culinary offerings. This role combines creativity with business strategy to ensure that new menu items are both appealing to customers and aligned with the brand's goals. Additionally, they may work closely with marketing, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and consistent quality.

How does a Director of Culinary Innovation typically collaborate with other departments within a food service organization?

A Director of Culinary Innovation frequently partners with teams such as marketing, supply chain, and operations to ensure new menu items align with brand strategy, ingredient availability, and kitchen workflows. This role often leads cross-functional meetings to gather feedback, address operational concerns, and refine recipes based on input from chefs, nutritionists, and customer insights teams. Effective collaboration is essential to successfully launch innovative concepts that are both exciting for customers and feasible for large-scale implementation.

What is the difference between Director Culinary Innovation vs Executive Chef?

AspectDirector Culinary InnovationExecutive Chef
Primary FocusDeveloping new culinary concepts, product innovation, and culinary strategyOverseeing kitchen operations, menu creation, and food preparation
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, R&D labs, product development settingsRestaurant kitchens, hotel kitchens, culinary establishments
CredentialsOften requires culinary degree, experience in innovation or R&DCulinary degree, extensive kitchen experience, culinary certifications
Industry UsageCommon in food manufacturing, hospitality chains, and corporate food servicesPrimarily in restaurants, hotels, and culinary establishments

The main difference is that the Director of Culinary Innovation focuses on creating new culinary concepts and product development within a corporate or industry setting, while the Executive Chef manages daily kitchen operations and menu execution in a restaurant or hospitality environment. Both roles require culinary expertise, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

More about Director Culinary Innovation jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Culinary Innovation jobs? Cities with the most Director Culinary Innovation job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Innovation jobs? The most popular types of Culinary Innovation jobs are:
What states have the most Director Culinary Innovation jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Culinary Innovation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Culinary Innovation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Culinary Innovation jobs are:
Director, Culinary Offer Implementation

Director, Culinary Offer Implementation

Sodexo

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Sodexo rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

308th of 437 rated business services


Job description

Role OverviewDirector, Culinary Offer Implementation - New York City AreaLead the Future of Workplace Dining

Sodexo is seeking a Director, Culinary Offer Implementation to elevate workplace dining across a dynamic and diverse portfolio of client locations in the New York City area. In this influential leadership role, you will serve as the culinary engine of the region-shaping experiences, inspiring teams, and redefining what modern corporate dining can be.

This position supports a highprofile, whitelabel client environment, requiring a leader who can seamlessly integrate the client's brand identity into every culinary touchpoint. Your work will strengthen Sodexo's culinary reputation, deepen client partnerships, and develop the next generation of culinary leaders. You will directly influence how thousands of guests experience food every day, transforming workplace dining into something memorable, modern, and meaningful.

 What You'll Do
  • Lead Culinary Implementation - Deploy Sodexo's culinary programs and standards across a multiunit portfolio, ensuring flawless execution for a highprofile, whitelabel client.

  • Elevate Culinary Identity - Shape menu innovation, presentation, and consistency to reflect the client's brand and deliver a refined, modern dining experience.

  • Develop Culinary Talent - Coach, mentor, and elevate chefs and culinary teams, building strong pipelines and strengthening districtwide capability.

  • Strengthen Client Partnerships - Serve as a trusted culinary advisor, aligning programs and communication with the expectations of a highvisibility client.

  • Drive Operational Excellence - Lead food cost management, safety compliance, quality assurance, and operational consistency across all sites.

  • Implement TrendForward Programs - Introduce innovative, sustainable, and guestcentric culinary initiatives that elevate workplace dining and support longterm strategy.

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring
  • Culinary Leadership Expertise - Deep experience leading multiunit culinary operations with the ability to elevate food quality, consistency, and presentation.

  • WhiteLabel Service Mastery - Proven ability to deliver hospitality and culinary programs that reflect a client's brand identity rather than your own.

  • HighProfile Client Experience - Strong track record partnering with demanding, visible clients and delivering polished, executivelevel communication.

  • Team Development Strength - Ability to coach, mentor, and grow culinary talent while building a culture of excellence and accountability.

  • Operational & Financial Acumen - Expertise in food cost control, safety compliance, quality assurance, and operational performance across multiple sites.

  • Innovation & Trend Awareness - Passion for modern, sustainable, and guestcentric culinary trends that elevate workplace dining experiences.

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 5 years

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Sodexo employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom