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Vice President Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salted

VP of Culinary

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

We're looking for a VP Culinary to lead our culinary strategy as we embark on our next stage of ... Develop and execute an LTO strategy that balances culinary innovation with the constraints (and ...

Salted

VP of Culinary

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

We're looking for a VP Culinary to lead our culinary strategy as we embark on our next stage of ... Develop and execute an LTO strategy that balances culinary innovation with the constraints (and ...

Compass Group

Vice President of Culinary

Manhattan, NY

$185K - $215K/yr

Reporting to the SVP Culinary, this leader drives menu innovation, culinary standards, brand consistency, and operational excellence across all restaurant concepts for 50 restaurants, cultural ...

Compass Group

Vice President of Culinary

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$185K - $215K/yr

Reporting to the SVP Culinary, this leader drives menu innovation, culinary standards, brand consistency, and operational excellence tailored to the managed services environment. This role supports ...

Compass Group

Vice President of Culinary

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$185K - $215K/yr

Reporting to the SVP Culinary, this leader drives menu innovation, culinary standards, brand consistency, and operational excellence across all restaurant concepts for 50 restaurants, cultural ...

Compass Group

Vice President of Culinary

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$185K - $215K/yr

Reporting to the SVP Culinary, this leader drives menu innovation, culinary standards, brand consistency, and operational excellence tailored to the managed services environment. This role supports ...

Compass Group

Vice President of Culinary

New York, NY · On-site

$185K - $215K/yr

Reporting to the SVP Culinary, this leader drives menu innovation, culinary standards, brand consistency, and operational excellence tailored to the managed services environment. This role supports ...

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Vice President Culinary Innovation information

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How much do vice president culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president culinary innovation in the United States is $157,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the primary challenges faced by a Vice President Culinary Innovation in leading new product development?

One major challenge is balancing creativity with feasibility, ensuring innovative ideas can be scaled commercially while meeting safety, taste, and cost requirements. Additionally, coordinating input from marketing, supply chain, and operations teams requires strong project management and communication skills. The role often involves tight timelines, staying current with industry trends, and responding rapidly to shifting consumer preferences. Successful leaders in this role excel at fostering collaboration and driving projects from concept to launch within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Vice President Culinary Innovation position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vice President Culinary Innovation, you need deep expertise in culinary arts, food science, and product development, typically supported by a relevant culinary degree and extensive leadership experience. Familiarity with recipe management software, food safety certifications, and R&D collaboration tools is usually required. Creativity, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills are crucial for inspiring teams and driving cross-functional projects. These abilities enable effective innovation pipelines, successful product launches, and competitive differentiation in the food industry.

What does a Vice President of Culinary Innovation do?

A Vice President of Culinary Innovation leads the development of new food products, menu items, and culinary strategies for a company. They collaborate with chefs, R&D teams, and marketing to ensure innovation aligns with brand identity and market trends. This role involves researching emerging food trends, optimizing recipes, and overseeing test kitchens. Additionally, they may work on improving production efficiency, sustainability, and consumer satisfaction. Their ultimate goal is to drive culinary excellence while maintaining profitability and brand differentiation.

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Vice President Culinary Innovation jobs near you
Regional Chef Whitsons Culinary Group -

Regional Chef Whitsons Culinary Group -

Whitsons Culinary Group

Hauppauge, NY

$65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Whitsons Culinary Group rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 66 rated caterers

Job description

Seeking : Culinary Innovation Specialist (K-12/Residential/Corporate Food Service)

Who You Are

You are not just a chef-you are:

A problem solver who can walk into a struggling kitchen and immediately see what's wrong
A coach who can develop people without alienating them
A doer who is just as comfortable on the line as you are training a room
A leader without ego who can influence across all levels

You likely come from:
High-volume foodservice, contract dining, or multi-unit operations
Environments where consistency, cost control, and execution matter

Minimum Qualifications
3-5+ years in large-scale foodservice (K-12, healthcare, or institutional strongly preferred)
Proven ability to train, lead, and influence diverse teams
Strong understanding of food safety, production systems, and kitchen operations
Working knowledge of USDA meal patterns / school nutrition compliance
Willingness to travel up to 75% (this is a field role)
Valid driver's license + reliable transportation
ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain quickly)

What Separates Top Candidates
You've fixed broken operations before
You can balance culinary creativity with operational reality
You know how to drive participation and customer satisfaction, not just cook food
You've led training that actually changed outcomes
You understand food cost, labor efficiency, and waste control

Compensation & Upside
Competitive base salary (aligned to top regional talent)
Mileage/ travel reimbursement
Full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k)
Clear path to senior leadership

Career Trajectory (This Role Is a Launchpad)
Top performers in this role move quickly into leadership:
Culinary Innovation Specialist

Regional Culinary Manager / Corporate Chef

Director of Culinary Operations

VP, Culinary / Operational Excellence

Executive Leadership Track (SVP / COO pathway)

This role gives you exposure to:
Multi-site operational leadership
Menu strategy and financial performance
Client-facing influence and retention strategy
System-wide impact-not just one kitchen

Why This Role Matters
At Whitsons Culinary Group, we don't believe school food should be average.

This role directly impacts:
Student experience
Program participation (and financial performance)
Team capability across an entire region

You won't just run kitchens-you'll elevate them.

Apply If You Want to Be Pushed

If you're looking to:
Stay comfortable this isn't the role
Grow fast, take ownership, and be challenged we want to talk

This role offers a salary range of $65,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

What Whitsons Culinary Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Whitsons Culinary Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whitsons Culinary Group, located in Islandia, NY, US, operates in the food service industry, offering a diverse range of services including school nutrition, residential and healthcare dining, prepared meals, emergency dining, and culinary education. First established in 1979, the family-owned company has built a reputation for its bespoke catering services, committed to delivering nutritionally balanced, tastefully diverse and quality assured meals. The company embraces a mission to enrich life one meal at a time, underlined by a focus on food quality, health, wellness, superior service, and social responsibility.

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Islandia, NY, US

Year founded

1979

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