Culinary Development Director I

Aramark is a global leader in food, facilities, and uniform services, proudly serving millions of guests each day across 15 countries worldwide. Rooted in service and united by a passionate purpose, Aramark is committed to doing great things for its employees, partners, communities, and the planet. The company fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion, offering equal employment opportunities without discrimination, ensuring everyone can participate fully and fairly in all aspects of the business. As a large-scale service provider, Aramark emphasizes employee growth, professional development, and a supportive work environment that empowers individuals to realize their full potential.

The Portfolio Group, operating under Aramark's Workplace Experience Group, specializes in delivering seamless and exceptional experiences from the breakroom to the boardroom for a diverse range of business portfolios. The group is dedicated to creating innovative and customized service solutions that prioritize convenience, consistency, and excellence. Its philosophy, One Partner. Infinite Solutions., highlights its commitment to building strong partnerships that excel and deliver unique, top-tier experiences tailored to each client.

The Culinary Development Director role within the Portfolio Group is a critical leadership position responsible for enhancing the food program across a diverse portfolio of client sites. Situated in Plano, TX, this position commands significant travel, requiring the incumbent to travel 50-60% of the time across the assigned portfolio. Aramark is also offering relocation assistance for the right candidate, emphasizing the strategic importance of this role.

This leadership role focuses on creating innovative culinary solutions that meet and exceed guest and client expectations. The Culinary Development Director oversees all culinary operations, ensuring authentic, on-trend, and best-in-class dining experiences at every outlet within the portfolio. This role requires someone who can maintain and develop diverse local partnerships, apply high culinary standards, and implement efficient operational processes that uphold safety and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader and mentor, inspiring a team of culinary professionals to deliver world-class hospitality experiences. Communication skills, training abilities, and a passion for excellence are paramount. The role involves coaching staff, empowering decision-making to elevate guest service, and celebrating employee achievements to foster a positive, motivated workplace culture.

Operational responsibilities include managing culinary and operational teams to guarantee food safety and quality, acting as the liaison between clients and site leadership, and ensuring that all culinary initiatives align with the client’s goals. Financial stewardship is a key component, with accountability for forecasting, budgeting, margin improvement, and overall financial performance of the food programs.

The Culinary Development Director must also uphold strict compliance with safety, sanitation, occupational health, and wage-hour policies, ensuring that all outlets adhere to Aramark SAFE food practices and other regulatory requirements. This position demands a balance between hands-on culinary expertise and strategic management capabilities in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment.

Altogether, this role offers a unique blend of culinary creativity, leadership, client relationship management, and operational excellence, making it ideal for a seasoned culinary professional seeking to lead a large-scale, innovative food program within a globally recognized company.