Aramark

Culinary Director

Aramark$100K — $120K *
Hospitality & Recreation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Leadership experience in contract food management across multiple sites.
  • Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Service Management, Business, or related field.
  • 8+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience with multi-unit responsibility.
  • Strong knowledge of food cost management, financial reporting, and culinary operations.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders and lead collaboration.
  • Experience developing scalable culinary programs and operational standards.
  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC) preferred.
  • Background in senior living, healthcare, or contract food service is advantageous.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement seasonal, nutritionally balanced menu programs for various living communities.
  • Partner with Registered Dietitians to ensure therapeutic diets are flavorful and satisfying.
  • Drive culinary innovation through menu engineering and resident-focused dining.
  • Evaluate industry trends to enhance resident engagement and program performance.
  • Lead initiatives for food cost optimization and culinary performance improvement.
  • Develop standardized operating procedures and audit compliance in culinary practices.
  • Conduct operational assessments to provide hands-on support where challenges arise.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for significant travel (up to 70%) to support community openings and training initiatives.
  • Ability to directly influence the dining experience for a varied resident population.
  • Collaborative work with a network of culinary, nutrition, and operational leaders.
  • Exposure to culinary innovation and program development on a large scale.
  • Professional development through mentorship and training programs for culinary staff.
Full Job Description
Culinary Director

Requisition ID: 679077

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA 19103

Career Area: Culinary
Information at a Glance

Job Description

The Culinary Director serves as the senior culinary leader for the SeniorLIFE+ portfolio, responsible for advancing culinary strategy, operational performance, financial results, compliance, and talent development across a growing network of senior living communities. This role partners with operations, nutrition, and culinary leaders to create scalable programs that elevate the resident dining experience while supporting business growth and profitability.

The successful candidate is a strategic culinary professional who combines strong business acumen with operational expertise and the ability to influence leaders across a multi-site environment. This position requires up to 70% travel, including support for new community openings, operational assessments, and culinary training initiatives. Key priorities identified for the role include cost optimization, training and compliance, program enhancement, and support of new business growth.

This position is ideally based in Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; or the New York metro area. Candidates located in these markets will be best positioned to support the portfolio's concentration of business, growth strategy, and travel requirements.

Job Responsibilities

Culinary Strategy & Program Development
  • Develop and implement scalable, seasonal, and nutritionally balanced menu programs across Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and CCRC communities.
  • Partner with Registered Dietitians to ensure menus support therapeutic diets while maintaining flavor, presentation, and resident satisfaction.
  • Drive culinary innovation through menu engineering, scratch-cooking initiatives, action stations, catering programs, and resident-focused dining experiences.
  • Evaluate industry trends and implement enhancements that strengthen resident engagement and program performance.


Operational Excellence & Financial Stewardship
  • Lead initiatives focused on food cost optimization, labor efficiency, inventory controls, purchasing practices, and overall culinary performance.
  • Develop, implement, and audit standardized culinary operating procedures, recipes, production systems, and yield management processes.
  • Analyze operational and financial metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and sustainable growth.
  • Provide hands-on support to communities experiencing operational, quality, or cost challenges.


Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS, OSHA, health department, and company standards.
  • Lead food safety initiatives, HACCP compliance, sanitation audits, and corrective action programs.
  • Conduct culinary assessments to ensure consistency in food quality, execution, and resident experience.


Talent Leadership & Mentorship
  • Recruit, coach, and develop Culinary Directors, Executive Chefs, Food Service Directors, and culinary leaders throughout the organization.
  • Deliver training programs that strengthen culinary, operational, and hospitality capabilities.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.


New Business & Strategic Growth
  • Provide culinary leadership for new business openings, transitions, and mobilizations.
  • Support client presentations, operational start-ups, and growth initiatives as the culinary subject matter expert.
  • Partner with operations leaders to develop programs that enhance resident satisfaction, support profitability, and create long-term business value.


Qualifications

  • Previous leadership experience in contract food management within a multi site or multi unit environment
  • Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Service Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 8+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including multi-unit responsibility.
  • Strong knowledge of food cost management, financial reporting, inventory controls, and culinary operations.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders, drive change, and lead through collaboration.
  • Experience developing culinary programs, menus, and operational standards at scale.
  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or equivalent certification preferred.
  • Senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or contract food service experience preferred.
  • Ability to travel up to 70%.


About Aramark

Aramark provides food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. ARAMARK’s position as a world leader in facility services stems from decades of experience and superior service in the diversified outsourcing industry. From their humble beginnings in 1936 at the helm of Davre Davidson and his peanut vending machines to our place — for the sixth time in nine years — at the top of Fortune magazine’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies,” ARAMARK has maintained an unwavering focus on providing world-class experiences, environments, and outcomes for their clients. At ARAMARK, they take care of buildings and infrastructure so that their customers can take care of their core business. They are proud to provide exceptional facility management services for 1,600 companies in 16,000 facilities — about 1.8 billion square feet worldwide. ARAMARK provides comprehensive facility service solutions that enable its clients to maximize safety, productivity, and reliability. Their success is the result of their steadfast commitment to service excellence. They pride themselves on delivering customizable, sustainable solutions in a wide range of facilities by working closely with their clients to achieve mutual goals. Self-performed services, ongoing client communication, performance metrics, and an environment of team learning and development enable us to perform beyond expectations in virtually every client engagement. Whatever the company’s facility needs, ARAMARK is here to consistently exceed the expectations for service excellence with the best people, the most innovative processes, and the latest technologies.

Aramark Careers

Join Aramark's vibrant team today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity. As a global leader in food, facilities, and uniform services, Aramark offers unparalleled job opportunities designed to enhance your professional growth and development. Work You’ll Do At Aramark, we are committed to fostering a culture of growth and innovation. Our team members are at the heart of our operations, providing essential services across various industries. By joining our team, you will collaborate with skilled professionals dedicated to making a meaningful impact every day. Aramark offers a wide range of employment opportunities, from frontline positions to executive roles, each contributing to our mission of delivering experiences that enrich and nourish lives. Whether you are looking for a full-time position or an internship, Aramark provides a path that will advance your career and expand your skills. Leadership and Development Step into a role that challenges you to be your best. Aramark’s leadership is committed to nurturing talents through robust training programs and diversity initiatives that ensure all team members are valued and have the opportunity to succeed. Our leadership training equips you with the tools necessary to lead with confidence and integrity. Innovation at Work Innovation is at the core of Aramark, where we continuously seek cutting-edge solutions to improve our services and operations. Engage in work that pushes the boundaries and leads to transformative outcomes, not just for our company but for the industries we serve. Join Our Team Explore the multitude of job opportunities at Aramark, where your career aspirations can take flight. We are actively hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals who are ready to contribute to a team that celebrates diversity and is driven by excellence. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with an Aramark internship, where you can apply your classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Our internships provide a foundation for learning and development, plus the opportunity to build professional networks that can be pivotal in your career journey. Benefits and Culture Aramark is dedicated to supporting our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy, fulfilling life both inside and outside of work. Our culture thrives on teamwork, respect, and inclusivity, creating an environment where every employee can thrive. Stay Connected Search open positions that match your skills and interests on the Aramark Jobs portal. We look for passionate, solution-driven team players who are eager to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work at Aramark. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Aramark. Join Aramark today and be part of a team that is dedicated to excellence and innovation in everything we do. Your future starts here!
Learn more about Aramark
Size
248,300 employees
Market Cap
$10.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$688.5 million
Founded
1936
5 Year Trend
+2.3%
Revenue
$11.3 billion
NASDAQ

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