Culinary Director

Aramark is a leading global provider of food, facilities, and uniform services, proudly serving millions of guests daily in 15 countries worldwide. Rooted deeply in the spirit of service, Aramark is committed to doing great things for its employees, partners, communities, and the planet. The company fosters an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are guaranteed, and diversity is respected and celebrated. At its core, Aramark believes that a career should be more than just a job—it should develop talents, fuel passions, and empower individuals' professional growth. Whether an individual is seeking a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or an exceptional workplace, Aramark's focus remains steadfast on helping every employee reach their full potential. More information about careers at Aramark can be found at aramarkcareers.com and their social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Salute Hospitality, a specialized division within Aramark, delivers innovative dining solutions exclusively tailored for the military community. As an American-owned and mission-ready brand, Salute Hospitality supports service members, their families, and base communities daily by emphasizing wellness, strength, energy, and endurance in all dining experiences. The culinary programs incorporate menus thoughtfully designed by expert chefs who recognize every meal as a critical part of the mission. Salute Hospitality operates across U.S. military installations nationwide, aligning culinary operations with the unique needs of military service to enhance quality of life and mission readiness.

The Director of Culinary Development is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Vice President of Culinary Strategy and Innovation at Aramark. This position serves as the culinary visionary and operational leader for the Salute program, overseeing all culinary programming, standardization, and execution across a wide portfolio of military dining facilities. The role involves guiding a nationwide team of Executive Chefs stationed at various military installations, ensuring the culinary services offered not only meet but exceed mission requirements and the evolving expectations of the personnel they serve.

Key responsibilities include the strategic design and implementation of culinary programs that align with customer preferences and installation-specific needs, driving culinary innovation, and standardization to maintain operational excellence. The Director will partner cross-functionally with Aramark’s operations, marketing, procurement, and business development teams to deliver culinary solutions that balance creativity, cost efficiency, and compliance with strict military and corporate standards.

This leadership role requires a visionary approach to culinary arts, a commitment to food safety and quality, and the capability to develop and mentor culinary talent at an enterprise level. The Director will champion the culinary culture within Salute Hospitality by fostering team development, championing authentic and trend-forward dishes, and utilizing technology to enhance operational efficiency. Financial oversight is vital, as the role demands managing budgets, procurement compliance, vendor relations, cost controls, and margin improvements.

Additionally, the Director will be instrumental in business growth and new opportunities, acting as a culinary subject matter expert in business development and representing the Salute brand at industry events. Crucial to this role is the ability to navigate the unique environment of military food service with a deep understanding of Department of Defense food service contracts, military dining modernization efforts, and compliance with TriService Food Code guidelines.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced culinary leader who is passionate about serving those who serve our country, capable of managing geographically dispersed teams, and ready to influence the future of military dining excellence.