Divisional Culinary Operations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Operations Manager serves as a hands-on expert and field leader responsible for elevating food quality and execution
across multiple restaurants within a division. This position bridges culinary standards, training, and operational execution, ensuring
that every kitchen delivers consistent, brand-standard food. As a key member of the Operations Excellence Team, the Culinary
Operations Manager partners directly with DVPs, Directors of Operations, General Managers, Kitchen Managers, and hourly BOH
(Back-of-the-House) teams to assess performance, implement best practices, coach behaviors, and drive continuous improvement.
This role requires a blend of culinary skill, operational acumen, leadership presence, and analytical thinking — all aimed at
improving Guest satisfaction, reducing waste, and achieving measurable gains in food quality scores and cost performance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Execution & Quality Improvement
• Conduct in-restaurant culinary audits to assess adherence to recipes, prep systems, cook times, portioning, and plating
standards.
• Identify and resolve execution gaps that impact food quality, temperature, presentation, and timing.
• Partner with operations and culinary leadership to implement corrective action plans and track progress.
• Ensure all restaurants follow current menu specifications, recipe builds, and kitchen systems consistently.

Food Safety & Compliance
• Ensure all restaurants maintain compliance with federal, state, and local food safety regulations, as well as brand standards
for sanitation and cleanliness.
• Conduct food safety and sanitation audits during market visits, verifying proper food handling, storage, labeling, and
temperature control procedures.
• Coach Kitchen Managers and BOH Teams on best practices for preventing cross-contamination, managing allergen
awareness, and maintaining safe prep and holding conditions.
• Partner with Operations and Training teams to ensure all Team Members maintain current food safety certifications and
understand safe food handling expectations.
• Monitor corrective actions following food safety audits, supporting restaurants in developing and sustaining long-term
compliance behaviors.
• Serve as a field subject-matter expert on foodborne illness prevention, sanitation systems, and health department
readiness.
• Continuously assess and communicate opportunities to strengthen food safety programs, training materials, and
operational processes to leadership.

Training & Coaching
• Deliver hands-on, in-market culinary training to kitchen managers and hourly Team Members.
• Reinforce brand culinary standards through side-by-side coaching, demonstrating proper techniques and reinforcing best
practices.
• Maintains a leadership presence in assigned restaurants to validate the proper execution of all training programs and rollouts, and ensures training environments are both positive and safe.
• Develops Kitchen Managers and Lead Head Coaches (Manager) to assist with consistency and follow-up of BOH training
programs in restaurants.

• Partners with restaurant managers and Directors, Operations on identifying & certifying new restaurant BOH (Back-of-theHouse) hourly Head Coaches and regional Lead Head Coaches.
• Support new menu rollouts by preparing teams to execute new items flawlessly.
• Act as an on-site resource for culinary problem-solving, offering guidance on prep efficiency, station organization, and food
flow.

New Restaurant Openings & Market Support
• Serve as the culinary training lead for new restaurant openings within assigned markets, ensuring new teams are fully
prepared to meet brand standards from day one.
• Coordinate and deliver opening kitchen training, including recipe execution, prep systems, food safety, and line setup.
• Partner with Operations and Training teams to ensure seamless handoff between opening and sustaining phases.
• Audit food quality and kitchen performance during and post-opening to identify early opportunities for improvement.
• Provide feedback to the Senior Manager of Culinary and Training teams to continuously enhance the new restaurant
opening (NRO) culinary process.

Data & Performance Measurement
• Analyze performance metrics including Ziosk food quality scores, negative comps, Guest satisfaction surveys, and COGS.
• Translate data insights into targeted coaching and process improvement strategies.
• Provide weekly reporting on progress, opportunities, and wins within assigned restaurants or markets.
• Collaborate with the Director, Culinary Operations, Senior Operations Leadership, and Executive Chef to track results
against defined success metrics and project milestones.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Division Vice Presidents (DVPs), Area Directors, and Restaurant Managers to align culinary initiatives with
operational goals.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams (Training, Supply Chain, and Culinary) to resolve systemic challenges
impacting food execution.
• Represent the Culinary team as a field expert, helping translate brand-level culinary strategy into practical, operational
action.

Continuous Improvement & Sustainability
• Identify opportunities for long-term process improvements in prep systems, kitchen flow, and training materials.
• Contribute feedback to culinary leadership regarding menu simplification, tools, or process innovations that can improve
consistency.
• Champion a culture of pride and accountability in food execution across all restaurants.

Required Skills & Education
• Excellent communication skills (verbally interacts with all levels of Management, Team Members and Guests)
• Excellent computer skills; proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Effectively facilitates classroom sessions for groups ranging from 5-50 people
• Excellent time management, organizational and critical thinking skills
• Ability to multi-task; works well independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of workplace safety procedures and all local, state and federal labor, food safety and alcohol service standards
• Basic Performance-Consulting skills
• Understanding in Adult Learning principles
• Excellent leadership & development skills
• Ability to motivate and influence others
• Maintains composure under pressure
• Ability to drive long distances and be away from home a minimum of 1-4 days at a time
• Ability to teach, coach and mentor at all levels of the organization
• Minimum three years management and/or training experience preferred

• Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Food safety management certification
• Any local or state required alcohol service certifications or licenses for assigned territory

Physical Demands
The Culinary Operations Manager is expected to be able to perform the job functions with reasonable accommodation. Physical
demands include:
• Remaining standing in a stationary position for extended periods of time
• Reaches, bends, squatting, and lifting (up to 40 lbs.); carriers 20-30 lbs. over short distances
• Occasional movement about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Frequent communication with restaurant managers and Team Members regarding operational standards and training
topics. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer).