Culinary Director

Job Description: Culinary Director
Sector: Contract Catering
Location: Hybrid
Reports to: Managing Director
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent


Our Client - a contract catering company is seeking a visionary and commercially astute Culinary Director to lead the evolution of food proposition across  primary and secondary school portfolio. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping the future of school dining, creating nutritious, exciting, and sustainable food offers that resonate with children and young adults.

The Culinary Director will be the driving force behind culinary innovation, responsible for revitalising menus, enhancing operational efficiency, and achieving key financial targets. You will be instrumental in increasing gross profit margins through strategic cost control, waste reduction, and maximising our procurement potential, all while championing the highest standards of food quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Renew the Food Offer: design, develop, and implement a new, compelling food strategy for both primary and secondary school contracts, ensuring distinct offers that are age-appropriate, nutritionally compliant, and aligned with modern food trends.
• Act as the culinary thought leader for the business, researching and integrating new concepts, cooking techniques, and presentation styles to keep our offer fresh, competitive, and exciting for students.
• Ensure all menus strictly adhered to and exceed the School Food Standards, while expertly catering for all dietary, allergen, and cultural requirements.
• Develop and implement mechanisms for gathering student feedback (e.g., tasting sessions, surveys, student councils) to inform menu development and drive pupil satisfaction.
• Champion a sustainable food ethos, focusing on seasonal, British produce where possible, and develop strategies to minimise our environmental impact.
• Increase Margins: take full accountability for the food Gross Profit (GP) margin. Develop and implement clear strategies to achieve and exceed budget targets across all contracts.
• Analyse food costs, labour, and wastage data to identify areas for improvement. Implement robust cost control measures without compromising on quality or compliance.
• Work in close partnership with the procurement team to rationalise supply chains, negotiate favourable terms with suppliers, and maximise purchasing power. Ensure supplier quality and service level agreements are consistently met.
• Develop and maintain a clear, competitive, and profitable pricing structure for all food and beverage items.
• Oversee the culinary budget, providing accurate forecasting and regular performance reporting to the senior leadership team.
• Develop standardised recipes, production methods, and presentation guides to ensure consistency and quality across all school kitchens.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of chefs and catering managers. Design and deliver a comprehensive culinary training programme to upskill our kitchen teams and foster a culture of excellence
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety, ensuring full compliance with HACCP, Allergen legislation, and all other relevant regulations.
• Lead the culinary aspect of new contract mobilisations, ensuring a smooth and successful launch of our food services.

Required Skills & Qualifications
 

• Demonstrable experience in a senior, multi-site culinary leadership role (e.g., Head of Food, Group Executive Chef, Culinary Director), preferably within contract catering or the education sector.
• A strong track record of P&L management, budget control, and successfully driving GP margin growth in a large-scale food operation.
• Proven experience in the preparation and delivery of high-impact sales presentations, including food tastings and tender presentations to prospective clients.
• A creative and strategic approach to menu development, with a portfolio showcasing successful and innovative food concepts.
• In-depth experience in managing supplier relationships, contract negotiation, and optimising supply chains for both quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams at all levels.
• Comprehensive understanding of UK School Food Standards, HACCP, and allergen legislation.
• A passionate foodie, highly organised, results-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Other: Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel extensively to school sites.

Desirable Skills: Formal culinary qualifications (e.g., NVQ Level 4 or equivalent), advanced food safety qualifications.

What's on Offer:
 

• A competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Generous pension scheme and private healthcare.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development.
• The chance to make a real and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of thousands of children.