Title:  Culinary Development Director

Job Description

The Portfolio Group, under the Workplace Experience Group umbrella, delivers seamless experiences from the breakroom to the boardroom, providing a signature suite of services for each unique business portfolio. Our team builds partnerships that excel, creating experiences that break the mold, where convenience, consistency, and excellence are a given.  One Partner.  Infinite Solutions.

Reporting to the Vice President of Culinary Strategy and Innovations, the Culinary Director for Salute Hospitality serves as the senior culinary leader for the USAF Food 2.0 portfolio. This role oversees all culinary programming, standardization, and execution across Air Force and Space Force installations, ensuring alignment with mission requirements, operational excellence, and the evolving expectations of Airmen and Guardians. The Culinary Director leads a team of Executive Chefs embedded at bases nationwide, shaping the culinary vision that supports mission readiness, enhances quality of life, and advances the Food 2.0 modernization effort.

This position partners closely with USAF/USSF stakeholders, AFSVC, installation leadership, marketing, procurement, and operations to deliver innovative culinary solutions that balance creativity, cost stewardship, and compliance with military and Aramark standards. The Director is also responsible for developing top culinary talent, supporting enterprise growth, strengthening industry partnerships, and championing the future of military foodservice.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensure procurement compliance, vendor adherence, SKU standardization, and cost‑control across the Food 2.0 portfolio.
• Reduce noncompliant spend while improving product utilization and operational efficiency.
• Lead and develop Executive Chefs across multiple bases, driving consistent culinary and operational excellence.
• Oversee training standards including HACCP, knife skills, Tri‑Service Food Code alignment, and menu execution.
• Ensure compliance with AFMAN 48‑147, Tri‑Service Food Code, Aramark food safety policies, and installation requirements.
• Conduct field audits, operational reviews, and performance assessments to validate readiness and quality.
• Lead corrective action planning, root‑cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support growth and new business opportunities within the USAF, USSF, and other military feeding environments as a culinary subject matter expert.
• Design and implement culinary programs aligned with Food 2.0 objectives, customer preferences, and installation needs.
• Drive consistency in food quality, production, presentation, and service across all DFAC operations.
• Represent Salute Hospitality at USAF/USSF culinary, operational, and industry events while monitoring trends and innovations.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop current and future culinary leaders, building a strong talent pipeline across the enterprise.

Qualifications

Leadership: Is a leader and mentor to our talented and diverse team. Empowers our team members to make decisions in the moment that provide the highest level of service to our guests. Ensures authentic, on-trend and precisely executed culinary standards and techniques. Guarantees unique and diverse local partnerships remain a part of who we are. Is a great communicator, trainer, and celebrator of our people. Ignites a passion and hunger to be the best. A serial multitasker, you will need to be well versed in using technology to simplify daily tasks and enable a world class hospitality experience.

Development: Ensures proper operational standards and techniques are in place for all aspects of the program. Manages both culinary and operational teams to ensure quality and safety throughout the portfolio. Meets with both client and site leadership as a liaison regarding all things related to culinary development. Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved. Rewards and recognize employees. Plan and execute team meetings.

Client Relationship: Develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationship. Aggregate and communicate operational and site needs.

• Financial Performance: Responsible for driving the mark on all areas regarding food, guest experience, safety, sanitation and financials of the business, consistent focus on margin improvement. Forecast, plan, and execute budget set forth by the region.

• Productivity: Ensure the efficient and profitable business performance of the food program and the optimal utilization of staff and resources. Innovating and developing a leading team for future leaders in our business.

• Compliance: Maintain compliance with Aramark SAFE food, occupational and environmental safety polices in all operations. Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 10 years’ experience and 3-5 years in a management role.

• Culinary background required.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

• Willingness to travel up to 70% of the time.

Competencies

• Adaptability

• Stress tolerance

• Decision- making

• Communication

• Planning and organizing

• Flexibility

Education

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.