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Director Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harper Associates

Culinary Director

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Their success is built on operational excellence, financial discipline, culinary innovation, and strong leadership. Position Overview The Regional Culinary Director is ultimately responsible for the ...

Harper Associates

Culinary Director

Troy, MI · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Their success is built on operational excellence, financial discipline, culinary innovation, and strong leadership. Position Overview The Regional Culinary Director is ultimately responsible for the ...

St John's United

Director Culinary Services-DCS

Glendive, MT · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director Culinary Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all ... This role is responsible for menu innovation, regulatory compliance, client and resident ...

stewleonards

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Culinary Director - Stew Leonard's Yonkers Kitchen Salary Range: $80,000-90,000 depending on ... Recipe Development and Culinary Innovation: * Develop new recipes and build creative menu ideas ...

stewleonards

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Culinary Director - Stew Leonard's Yonkers Kitchen Salary Range: $80,000-90,000 depending on ... Recipe Development and Culinary Innovation: * Develop new recipes and build creative menu ideas ...

Stew Leonard's

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Culinary Director - Stew Leonard's Yonkers Kitchen Salary Range: $80,000-90,000 depending on ... Recipe Development and Culinary Innovation: * Develop new recipes and build creative menu ideas ...

Mendocino Farms

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY OPERATIONS

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Director of Culinary R&D will be responsible for leading menu innovation and product development at Mendo, ensuring that every new item reflects our brand values and delights our guests. This ...

PepsiCo

Food Innovation Lead

Bessemer City, NC

$14 - $19/hr

Food Ventures plays a critical role in delivering culinary-led, consumer-first solutions ... Work closely with New Business Director and Key Account Managers to support customer retention ...

Sodexo

Regional Culinary Director

Bronx, NY · On-site +1

$115K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Director of Culinary, Offer Implementation with Sodexo Live!, your passion for culinary innovation and technical skill sets position you to implement and oversee culinary programs and operations ...

Midwest Foods

Culinary Operations Specialist

Kenosha, WI · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Edible Cuts Inc. is at the forefront of food innovation, delivering premium, scalable culinary ... You will work directly with our Culinary Director to take products from the test kitchen to full ...

Sodexo

Regional Culinary Director

Queens, NY · On-site +1

$115K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Director of Culinary, Offer Implementation with Sodexo Live!, your passion for culinary innovation and technical skill sets position you to implement and oversee culinary programs and operations ...

Sodexo

Regional Culinary Director

Dallas, TX · On-site

$115K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Director of Culinary, Offer Implementation with Sodexo Live!, your passion for culinary innovation and technical skill sets position you to implement and oversee culinary programs and operations ...

Sodexo

Regional Culinary Director

Las Vegas, NV · On-site +1

$115K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Director of Culinary, Offer Implementation with Sodexo Live!, your passion for culinary innovation and technical skill sets position you to implement and oversee culinary programs and operations ...

Sodexo

Regional Culinary Director

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$115K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Director of Culinary, Offer Implementation with Sodexo Live!, your passion for culinary innovation and technical skill sets position you to implement and oversee culinary programs and operations ...

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Director Culinary Innovation information

See salary details

$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do director culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 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 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.

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

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.

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 Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Culinary Innovation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,881 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Associate Director of Culinary

Lunchtime Solutions

Sioux Falls, SD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Lunchtime Solutions rating

4.1

Company rating: 4.1 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 68 rated caterers

Job description

Associate Director of Culinary - Lunchtime Solutions
Location: Hybrid role with a home-base close to one of our larger school districts in Sioux Falls, SD, Aberdeen, SD, South Sioux City, NE, Hastings, NE, Storm Lake, IA or Columbus, NE. The successful candidate would be expected to be based out of one of these locations while supporting culinary initiatives.
Lunchtime Solutions is seeking an innovative and strategic Associate Director of Culinary to lead culinary excellence across our K-12 food service programs. This leadership role is responsible for menu development, food quality, recipe standardization, culinary training, and operational support. The Associate Director of Culinary will collaborate with Operations, Purchasing, Marketing, Compliance, and Executive Leadership to create high-quality dining experiences that support student satisfaction, customer retention, and company growth.
In this strategic leadership role, you'll influence the dining experience of thousands of students, partner with key business leaders, and help shape the future of school nutrition programs at Lunchtime Solutions. We're looking for someone who can balance creativity with operational practicality while ensuring programs are financially responsible, compliant, and aligned with Lunchtime Solutions' mission and values.
What You'll Do
Culinary Leadership & Innovation
  • Lead menu development, seasonal offerings, and culinary innovation.
  • Research food trends and introduce student-friendly menu concepts.
  • Develop, test, and standardize recipes to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Evaluate new products, ingredients, and preparation methods.
  • Create programs that enhance student engagement and participation.

Food Quality & Brand Standards
  • Establish and maintain company-wide culinary standards.
  • Conduct site visits to assess food quality and provide coaching.
  • Ensure consistent presentation, flavor, and execution across locations.
  • Drive continuous improvement through quality-focused initiatives.

Financial & Operational Excellence
  • Partner with Purchasing on product sourcing and vendor relationships.
  • Monitor food costs, waste, and product utilization.
  • Recommend menu and product enhancements that support financial goals.
  • Ensure culinary programs are practical and operationally efficient.

Training & Team Development
  • Develop culinary training materials and operational resources.
  • Coach and mentor Area Directors, Food Service Directors, and culinary teams.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and professional growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Support promotions, customer presentations, and marketing efforts.
  • Ensure compliance with USDA regulations and company standards.
  • Lead the Culinary Committee and drive strategic culinary priorities.

Customer & Business Support
  • Support new business presentations and growth initiatives.
  • Enhance customer satisfaction through innovative dining solutions.
  • Provide culinary expertise for account openings, transitions, and operational challenges.
  • Respond to customer concerns and implement effective solutions.

What We're Looking For
  • Associate's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, Food Science, or related field required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in K-12, contract food service, or institutional dining.
  • Experience with menu development, recipe standardization, and multi-unit operations.
  • ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager (or equivalent).
  • Strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and project management skills.
  • Ability to balance food quality, nutrition requirements, operational efficiency, and financial performance.

Why You'll Love Working With Us
  • Enjoy your evenings and weekends our Monday-Friday daytime schedule means no late nights, no weekends, and no holidays spent in a kitchen.
  • Plan for your future with our 401(k) retirement plan
  • Enjoy work life balance with paid time off and paid holidays
  • Invest in your health with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible team members.

Our Values
At Lunchtime Solutions, our success comes from team members who:
  • Take pride in what you do
  • Focus on customer success
  • Be a person of integrity
  • Drive to improve
  • Do it with passion
  • Express gratitude
  • Work as a team
  • Pursue lasting partnerships
  • Embrace a healthy work-life balance

If these values resonate with you and you're passionate about culinary innovation, we'd love to meet you!
Lunchtime Solutions performs post offer background investigations prior to starting employment with our company. This background investigation may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: criminal convictions and DMV record if appropriate for the position.
Lunchtime Solutions Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. EOE-M/F/Disabled/Vet. View Policy

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