Job Description
Seeking : Culinary Innovation Specialist (K-12/Residential/Corporate Food Service)
Who You Are
You are not just a chef—you are:
• A problem solver who can walk into a struggling kitchen and immediately see what’s wrong
• A coach who can develop people without alienating them
• A doer who is just as comfortable on the line as you are training a room
• A leader without ego who can influence across all levels
You likely come from:
• High-volume foodservice, contract dining, or multi-unit operations
• Environments where consistency, cost control, and execution matter
Minimum Qualifications
• 3–5+ years in large-scale foodservice (K-12, healthcare, or institutional strongly preferred)
• Proven ability to train, lead, and influence diverse teams
• Strong understanding of food safety, production systems, and kitchen operations
• Working knowledge of USDA meal patterns / school nutrition compliance
• Willingness to travel up to 75% (this is a field role)
• Valid driver’s license + reliable transportation
• ServSafe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain quickly)
What Separates Top Candidates
• You’ve fixed broken operations before
• You can balance culinary creativity with operational reality
• You know how to drive participation and customer satisfaction, not just cook food
• You’ve led training that actually changed outcomes
• You understand food cost, labor efficiency, and waste control
Compensation & Upside
• Competitive base salary (aligned to top regional talent)
• Mileage/ travel reimbursement
• Full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k)
• Clear path to senior leadership
Career Trajectory (This Role Is a Launchpad)
Top performers in this role move quickly into leadership:
Culinary Innovation Specialist
⬇
Regional Culinary Manager / Corporate Chef
⬇
Director of Culinary Operations
⬇
VP, Culinary / Operational Excellence
⬇
Executive Leadership Track (SVP / COO pathway)
This role gives you exposure to:
• Multi-site operational leadership
• Menu strategy and financial performance
• Client-facing influence and retention strategy
• System-wide impact—not just one kitchen
Why This Role Matters
At Whitsons Culinary Group, we don’t believe school food should be average.
This role directly impacts:
• Student experience
• Program participation (and financial performance)
• Team capability across an entire region
You won’t just run kitchens—you’ll elevate them.
Apply If You Want to Be Pushed
If you’re looking to:
• Stay comfortable → this isn’t the role
• Grow fast, take ownership, and be challenged → we want to talk
This role offers a salary range of $65,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, and paid holidays.