Chefs Warehouse

Learning and Development Director

Chefs Warehouse • $100K — $130K *
Ridgefield, CT 06877In-Person
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
2 days ago
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, or a related field; Master's preferred.
  • 8+ years in Learning and Development, showing expertise in training design and implementation.
  • Experience in the food distribution, supply chain, or logistics sectors is preferred.
  • Knowledge of compliance and safety training regulations for food distribution is necessary.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, and program design skills are required.
  • Experience with Learning Management Systems and instructional design methodologies is essential.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive training framework for employees at all levels.
  • Partner with senior leadership to assess and prioritize training needs across multiple functions.
  • Lead organizational L&D initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals.
  • Design, implement, and govern structured training pathways for varying employee tiers.
  • Create scalable learning protocols that ensure employee readiness for career advancement.
  • Incorporate diverse training modalities to enhance learning delivery and accessibility.
  • Establish metrics to evaluate training effectiveness and its impact on business outcomes.

Benefits

  • Paid vacations and paid holidays
  • Health, dental, and medical benefits
  • Weekly pay
  • Life insurance coverage
  • 5% discount on high-quality food products
  • Employee discounts for travel and events
  • 401k plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Full Job Description
Summary:
The Director of Learning and Development (L&D) is responsible for designing, implementing, and spearheading structured training and development protocols that support organizational growth, employee engagement, and operational excellence at The Chefs' Warehouse. This role ensures that employees-across warehouse, logistics, sales, and leadership-gain the right skills at the right stage of their careers, with a focus on continuity of learning as they advance into roles of greater responsibility.

What You'll Do:

Learning Strategy & Leadership
  • Develop and execute a company-wide training framework organized by employee level, ensuring continuity and progression as employees move from frontline roles into supervisory and leadership positions.
  • Partner with senior leadership to identify and prioritize training needs across operations, logistics, warehouse safety, compliance, and customer-facing functions.
  • Act as the organizational lead for L&D, aligning training initiatives with business priorities and future talent needs.

Training Design & Delivery
  • Spearhead the design, rollout, and governance of training pathways by level (e.g., entry-level onboarding, mid-level role mastery, leadership readiness).
  • Create scalable, repeatable learning protocols that reinforce knowledge and prepare employees for the next stage of responsibility.
  • Integrate multiple modalities (classroom, e-learning, on-the-job, and coaching) to enhance training effectiveness and accessibility.

Performance & Compliance
  • Ensure all training programs meet regulatory and safety requirements (OSHA, DOT, food safety, etc.).
  • Establish metrics to assess the effectiveness and continuity of training programs, measuring impact on productivity, retention, safety, and leadership pipeline development.
  • Collaborate with HR on onboarding, career pathing, and succession planning initiatives.

Technology & Innovation
  • Implement and manage the Learning Management System (LMS) to structure, track, and deliver role-specific learning journeys.
  • Leverage emerging technologies (mobile learning, microlearning, virtual training) to support scalable and engaging programs.
  • Stay current with trends and best practices in workforce learning, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.

About You:
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, or related field (Master's preferred).
  • 8+ years of progressive experience in Learning and Development, with demonstrated expertise in training program design, rollout, and governance.
  • Industry experience in food distribution, supply chain, logistics, or related sectors strongly preferred.
  • Knowledge of compliance and safety training requirements in the food distribution industry.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, and program design skills.
  • Proficiency in LMS platforms, e-learning tools, and instructional design methodologies.

Core Competencies
  • Strategic thinker with ability to align training initiatives to evolving business needs.
  • Strong program and project management skills with focus on structured execution.
  • Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
  • Results-driven with emphasis on measurable impact and continuous improvement.


The above job description is not an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Perks & Benefits:
  • Paid Vacations, Paid Holidays
  • Health, Dental and Medical Benefits
  • Weekly pay
  • Life Insurance
  • 5% above cost for our high-quality food products
  • Employee discounts for travel and events
  • 401k
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan


About Chefs Warehouse

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. is a specialty food distributor that began sourcing products focused on serving the specific needs of chefs who own and/or operate some of the nation's leading menu-driven independent restaurants, fine dining establishments, country clubs, hotels, caterers, culinary schools, bakeries, patisseries, chocolatiers, cruise lines, casinos and specialty food stores. The Company's product portfolio includes artisan charcuterie, specialty cheeses, unique oils and vinegars, truffles, caviar, chocolate and pastry products. The Company also offers a broad line of center-of-the-plate products, including custom cut beef, seafood and hormone-free poultry, as well as broadline food products, such as cooking oils, butter, eggs, milk and flour. The Company operates distribution centers in New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California and Illinois.
Learn more about Chefs Warehouse
Size
2,712 employees
Market Cap
$1.2 billion
Industry
Food & Beverages
Net Income
-$82.9 million
Founded
1985
5 Year Trend
+7.9%
Revenue
$1.1 billion
NASDAQ
CHEF
* Ladders Estimates

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