Regional Culinary Director - Collegiate Hospitality, East Region

Job Description

The Regional Culinary Director ( RDC ) provides strategic culinary leadership across the region, ensuring operational excellence and consistent food quality. Collaborates with Finance and Operations to manage food costs, purchasing compliance, and food safety, driving improved satisfaction in residential and retail surveys. Partners with Marketing to deliver engaging, innovative programs at each location. Works with Human Resources to recruit, train, and develop culinary talent, building a regional succession plan. Supports Growth initiatives through new business development and retention efforts. The RCD Collegiate Hospitality East Region serves as the senior culinary leader, reporting to the Regional Vice President. This role drives the execution and enhancement of culinary programs aligned with Collegiate Hospitality and regional strategies. While primarily focused on regional impact, the RCD also leads one enterprise-wide initiative?such as standardized menus, food and labor productivity, or culinary innovation?across the Collegiate Hospitality portfolio.

Job Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership :

Lead and coach culinary teams across multiple sites, ensuring food quality, presentation, and creativity. Maintain standards, oversee equipment and safety compliance, and support regional development through a dotted-line leadership network. Manage special events, hiring, training, and performance reviews. Engage with campus leadership to tailor programs and build culinary bench strength.

Operational Excellence :

Collaborate with regional leaders to implement brand initiatives, standardize recipes, and improve satisfaction. Partner with the Aramark Innovation Center to roll out trends and lead high-profile events. Ensure consistency, share best practices, and drive strategic planning for retention.

Driving Growth :

Promote culinary talent, support marketing initiatives, and lead productivity efforts. Optimize food and labor processes, ensure vendor compliance, and develop premium catering menus. Innovate to grow revenue and reduce costs through improved procedures.

Team Leadership & Financial Performance :

Lead regional culinary talent development, training, and recognition. Drive financial goals through cost optimization and productivity. Oversee food quality, safety, and consistency. Supervise chefs and ensure adherence to Aramark standards of excellence.

Key Capabilities :

Expert in culinary techniques, large-scale production, and cost control. Skilled in multi-unit operations, menu development, and driving efficiency. Strong leadership, communication, and project management abilities. Capable of managing innovation, training, and client engagement. Development includes leading audits, training, new services, and sales support. Milestones include unit openings, taskforce participation, and STAR team leadership. Core leadership traits : influence, talent growth, hospitality, initiative, and impact.

Qualifications

• CIA ProChef or ACF certification required.
• 10+ years of culinary management experience.
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices within the food service industry.
• Expertise in demonstration cooking, menu writing and development and understanding of standards.
• Ability to lead in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer service.
• Previous experience with controlling food and labor costs, demonstration cooking, menu development and pricing development.
• P&L accountability and / or contract-managed service experience preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, key Aramark productivity tools (e.g. Prima or equivalent).
• Requires exceptional communication skills.
• ServSafe Certification
• Ability to travel 60-75% of the time
• High level of professionalism, maturity, and project management capability

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.