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Menu Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

Deadwood, SD

$48K - $65K/yr

Menu Planning and Development: * Ensuring Food Safety and Hygiene: * Assisting with Administrative Tasks: * Taking Charge in the Head Chef's Absence: Work closely with the head chef on all aspects of ...

Sous Chef

Deadwood, SD

$48K - $65K/yr

Menu Planning and Development: * Ensuring Food Safety and Hygiene: * Assisting with Administrative Tasks: * Taking Charge in the Head Chef's Absence: Work closely with the head chef on all aspects of ...

Event Planning Manager

Napa, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Primary sales efforts are in banquet food and beverage and venue rental and includes menu planning, agenda setting, and resort event services. Duties also include contract review and facilitating ...

Event Planning Manager

Napa, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Primary sales efforts are in banquet food and beverage and venue rental and includes menu planning, agenda setting, and resort event services. Duties also include contract review and facilitating ...

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Chef de Cuisine

San Pedro, CA · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

Responsibilities * Assist in menu planning and development to create innovative dishes that meet customer expectations. * Supervise kitchen staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient ...

Cook

Bethesda, MD

$19.16 - $23/hr

The ideal candidate will have experience in the food industry, with a strong focus on menu planning and fine dining. As a Cook, you will play a vital role in preparing high-quality meals that meet ...

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Chef de Cuisine

San Pedro, CA · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

Responsibilities * Assist in menu planning and development to create innovative dishes that meet customer expectations. * Supervise kitchen staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient ...

Chef de Cuisine

Acton, CA · On-site

$67K - $91K/yr

Responsibilities * Assist in menu planning and development to create innovative dishes that meet customer expectations. * Supervise kitchen staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient ...

Showing results 21-40

Menu Planning information

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$56K

$103.2K

$157K

How much do menu planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for menu planning in the United States is $103,218.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is menu planning?

A Menu Planning job involves designing balanced, cost-effective, and appealing meal options for restaurants, cafeterias, or institutions. This role requires selecting ingredients, considering dietary needs, and ensuring variety while minimizing food waste. Menu planners work closely with chefs, nutritionists, and suppliers to create meals that meet customer preferences and business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in menu planning?

Success in Menu Planning requires strong culinary knowledge, nutritional understanding, and experience with food cost management, often supported by a degree in culinary arts, nutrition, or hospitality. Familiarity with menu design software, nutritional analysis tools, and inventory management systems is highly beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for collaborating with chefs and meeting client or customer preferences. These skills are crucial for developing balanced, appealing, and cost-effective menus that align with organizational goals and customer needs.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in menu planning roles?

Professionals in menu planning often face the challenge of balancing nutritional requirements, budget constraints, and customer preferences while maintaining variety and appeal in their menus. They must also adapt to seasonal ingredient availability, supply chain issues, and evolving dietary trends. Collaboration with chefs, purchasing teams, and nutritionists is common, requiring strong cross-functional communication. Overcoming these challenges successfully ensures the creation of menus that satisfy both operational needs and guest expectations, making the role critical to a food service operation’s success.

What are the qualifications of a menu planning?

A menu planner typically needs strong knowledge of nutrition, culinary skills, and understanding of dietary restrictions. Relevant qualifications may include a culinary degree, certification in nutrition, or experience in food service management. Good organizational skills and familiarity with food safety standards are also important.

What does a menu planning do?

A menu planner develops and organizes menus for restaurants, cafeterias, or food services, ensuring a balanced variety of dishes that meet nutritional, budget, and customer preferences. They consider factors like ingredient availability, food costs, and dietary restrictions, often using tools like menu software to create efficient and appealing menus.
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What states have the most Menu Planning jobs?

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Infographic showing various Menu Planning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,218 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Coordinator I Menu Dietitian & Specs Diets (226 Days)

Dallas Independent School District

Dallas, TX • On-site

$56K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Dallas Independent School District rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 52 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

198th of 641 rated elementary and secondary schools


Job description

Description
Plan and develop school menus for students with special dietary needs.
  • Design and develop therapeutic and allergen sensitivity menus for students with special dietary needs
  • Manage and develop special diet procedures and collaborates with school healthcare professionals, parents and district personnel regarding students with special dietary needs
  • Coordinate recipe development and taste testings of special diet recipes in the department kitchen, at schools or at other events
  • Track and upkeep special dietary need requests from health professionals and parents in a timely manner
  • Assist with multiple taste tests and student surveys to gain feedback and student acceptability of current and future menus
  • Program special diet menus, recipes, food item nutrition information and allergen information in various computer software programs
  • Provide technical assistance for any special diet related questions that come from school cafeterias staff
  • Assist with training cafeteria staff on the implementation of special diet menus and appropriate food substitutions
  • Assist with employee training of new hires and temporary staff assigned to assist with special diet menus
  • Assist with various projects in other areas of the department to develop, establish and evaluate new menu and food concepts
  • Interact regularly and professionally with operation specialists, cafeteria supervisors and campus based administration
  • Occasionally required to work prolonged and irregular hours
  • Occasionally required to lift or exert force of up to 25 pounds

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, Hospitality, Science or directly related field
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Three to five years experience in special diet planning, preferably in school setting; time spent in a dietary internship program may count towards one year of experience
  • Knowledge of Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines
  • Understand the importance of technology and automation in data capture and analysis.
  • Must be able to analyze productivity performance results and take appropriate action
  • Possess excellent oral and written communication skills, to include outstanding training skills
  • Provide an environment where employee feedback is encouraged, good ideas are credited appropriately and incorporated into daily operations to help the organization run more efficiently
  • Computer skills: MS Office (required); USDA approved menu planning software (preferred)
  • Ability to multitask, appropriately prioritize, detail oriented and goal driven, willing to learn and assume responsibility
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

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DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT logo

About DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) is a leading player in the education industry situated in Dallas, Texas, USA. It is the second-largest public school district in the state and the 14th-largest district in the U.S., which manages public education in 230 schools, serving a population of around 155,000 students. The institution was established in 1884 and has experienced consistent growth in its history, both in terms of student population and educational impact.

Industry

Education

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Dallas, TX, US

Year founded

1884