
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $180,000.00 - $220,000.00
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Flexible
Benefits
health care plan
Retirement Plan
Stock options
Career advancement opportunities
Work environment transforming restaurant industry
Job Description
Salted is recognized as the largest delivery-first restaurant group in the United States, pioneering a transformative approach in the food service industry. As a forward-thinking company, Salted believes that the future of the restaurant business revolves primarily around delivery and take-out services, leveraging cutting-edge technology to nurture and maintain strong customer relationships beyond a traditional dine-in environment. This innovative mindset positions Salted at the forefront of a rapidly evolving market, where digital convenience and customer engagement are paramount. With an expansive portfolio of 35 locations and ambitious growth plans to scale beyond 100 outlets in the next three years, Salted is dedicated to reshaping how consumers experience and interact with restaurant brands. This vision is embedded in their brand philosophy, which emphasizes "better-for-you," clean label offerings that combine uniqueness with craveable flavors, aiming to set the gold standard in digital-first restaurant experiences.
The role of Vice President (VP) of Culinary at Salted is pivotal to the company's ongoing growth and success. Reporting directly to the CEO, this leadership position commands responsibility not only for crafting and steering the culinary vision but also for operational execution across Salted's multi-brand portfolio, with a primary focus on their flagship brand, Moonbowls. The VP Culinary will manage a team that initially includes a Culinary Director and an R&D Chef, working collaboratively to define and execute a comprehensive culinary roadmap that aligns with Salted’s brand ethos and strategic business objectives. The culinary leader will harness creativity and analytical skills to foster consistent, profitable, and exceptional customer experiences. A critical element of the role involves leading the research and development pipeline for new and existing brands, including managing multiple monthly tests in Salted’s Test Kitchen, thereby driving culinary innovation with precision and purpose. The VP Culinary will also strategize limited-time offers (LTOs), balancing innovative menu development within the unique constraints and advantages of Salted's high-volume, small-footprint model. Operational excellence is ensured through active collaboration with Operations teams to establish and enforce elite standards for food preparation, presentation, and safety adherence, including HACCP compliance. Additionally, the VP works closely with Marketing and Technology teams to seamlessly launch new products while leveraging data analytics to optimize product mix, enhance financial results, and increase customer frequency. This role requires a passionate culinary leader who embodies strategic vision, operational acumen, and a customer-obsessed mindset to stay ahead in the fast-changing restaurant industry and inspire a dynamic team towards impactful food experiences.
The role of Vice President (VP) of Culinary at Salted is pivotal to the company's ongoing growth and success. Reporting directly to the CEO, this leadership position commands responsibility not only for crafting and steering the culinary vision but also for operational execution across Salted's multi-brand portfolio, with a primary focus on their flagship brand, Moonbowls. The VP Culinary will manage a team that initially includes a Culinary Director and an R&D Chef, working collaboratively to define and execute a comprehensive culinary roadmap that aligns with Salted’s brand ethos and strategic business objectives. The culinary leader will harness creativity and analytical skills to foster consistent, profitable, and exceptional customer experiences. A critical element of the role involves leading the research and development pipeline for new and existing brands, including managing multiple monthly tests in Salted’s Test Kitchen, thereby driving culinary innovation with precision and purpose. The VP Culinary will also strategize limited-time offers (LTOs), balancing innovative menu development within the unique constraints and advantages of Salted's high-volume, small-footprint model. Operational excellence is ensured through active collaboration with Operations teams to establish and enforce elite standards for food preparation, presentation, and safety adherence, including HACCP compliance. Additionally, the VP works closely with Marketing and Technology teams to seamlessly launch new products while leveraging data analytics to optimize product mix, enhance financial results, and increase customer frequency. This role requires a passionate culinary leader who embodies strategic vision, operational acumen, and a customer-obsessed mindset to stay ahead in the fast-changing restaurant industry and inspire a dynamic team towards impactful food experiences.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food science, or related field preferred
- Minimum 10 years culinary experience in QSR or fast food industry
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing culinary teams
- Experience in developing and executing culinary strategies and R&D pipelines
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data for menu optimization
- Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations
- Effective communication and presentation skills
- Ability to travel as required
- Residency in Los Angeles area
Job Qualifications
- 10+ years experience in QSR or fast food culinary roles
- Deep understanding of scaling culinary consistency nationally
- Ability to translate customer ratings, PMIX, and COGs data into menu improvements
- Test-and-learn oriented mindset
- Effective planning skills with attention to detail and big picture strategy
- Knowledge of HACCP, SOPs, and food safety and quality regulations
- Proven collaboration skills with cross-functional teams
- Based in Los Angeles area with flexibility to travel
- Passionate about building innovative food brands
Job Duties
- Define and execute a cohesive culinary roadmap that aligns with brand positioning and business goals
- Maximize culinary offerings of core brand menus
- Lead R&D pipeline for new and core brands
- Develop and execute LTO strategy balancing culinary innovation with operational constraints
- Use data to optimize product mix for financial and customer results
- Serve as culinary voice to partners and executive team with data-backed strategies
- Research supplier opportunities to reduce costs and improve ingredient quality
- Collaborate with Operations to establish and enforce standards for preparation, presentation, and safety
- Partner with Marketing, Operations, and Tech teams for effective new launch promotions and flawless execution
- Lead team with candor and directness
- Stay obsessed with customer experience and identify emerging trends
Job Criteria
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
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