Corporate Executive Chef | Growing, Upscale Italian | Open to Relo

Job Description Director of Culinary OperationsWe are seeking a Director of Culinary Operations to serve as the strategic culinary leader for a growing, chef-driven Italian restaurant and specialty market organization rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship, and hospitality.This role is designed for a builder; a culinary executive who can elevate standards, develop leaders, strengthen operational infrastructure, and position the organization for sustainable expansion. The Director of Culinary Operations partners directly with ownership to translate culinary vision into scalable systems, strong teams, and consistently exceptional execution across locations.Strategic Leadership ResponsibilitiesCulinary Vision & Program ArchitectureDesign comprehensive culinary programs from initial menu concepts through execution standards at store levelLead seasonal menu strategy and product lifecycle planningEstablish recipe standards, execution protocols, and presentation expectations that scale with growthOrganizational Leadership & Talent DevelopmentIdentify, recruit, mentor, and develop Executive Chefs and Kitchen Managers capable of leading future locationsEstablish performance accountability structures across culinary teamsFoster a culture defined by ownership, standards, collaboration, and continuous improvementOperational Excellence & InfrastructureBuild systems that ensure consistent execution across all kitchen operationsStandardize training processes, onboarding frameworks, and culinary SOPsSupport successful rollout of new menus, initiatives, and operational improvementsFinancial PerformanceOwn culinary-side P&L performance across locationsOptimize food cost, labor efficiency, and production workflowsBuild strategic vendor partnerships aligned with quality and margin expectationsIdeal Candidate ProfileMinimum 5 years of experience as a Culinary Director or in a similar leadership roleStrong knowledge of various cooking methods, ingredients, kitchen equipment, and food preparation proceduresDemonstrated success in managing and developing culinary staffBilingual English and Spanish preferredKnowledge of Italian cooking techniques and recipes preferredCompensation and Benefits:Best in class salary and attainable bonusMedical, Dental, VisionGenerous PTO401kCareer Growth