Full timeMonday to FridaySalary:Up to £70000 per annum plus our Sodexo employee benefits packageLocation: Multi-site (regular travel between locations)Opportunities for professional developmentCulinary DirectorNo fixed place of workAt Sodexo, we're passionate about our people.We know that our teams are the key to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, customers, and employees.We are looking for an experienced Culinary Directorto lead the strategic direction, culinary excellence, and commercial performance of food operations across a three-site account. The role is responsible for overseeing retail, staff dining, hospitality, vending, and free-issue programmes, ensuring consistent high-quality food experiences while driving innovation, client satisfaction, financial performance, and strong culinary leadership across all sites.Key Responsibilities:Lead the overall culinary vision across multiple sites and service streams.Design and deliver seasonal, sustainable, and commercially viable menus.Maintain consistent food quality, standards, and presentation across all outlets.Drive food innovation, trends, and continuous improvement.Ensure compliance with nutrition, allergen management, and food safety standards.Oversee day-to-day culinary operations across three locations.Ensure efficient service across retail outlets, staff dining, hospitality and events, vending, and free-issue coffee and snack programmes.Implement standardised recipes, production processes, and service models.Monitor operational performance and service delivery.Manage food cost, gross profit targets, and overall budget performance.Optimise menu engineering and supplier partnerships to improve profitability.Identify opportunities for revenue growth across retail and hospitality.Support strong client relationships through high-quality food delivery.Lead, mentor, and develop Head Chefs and culinary teams across all sites.Support team development through coaching, training, and performance management.Promote a culture of safety, collaboration, and accountability.Support talent development and succession planning.Collaborate with culinary networks, chef forums, and development initiatives.Contribute to tastings, showcases, and innovation sessions.Work with wider culinary teams to share best practice and maintain consistency.Build strong relationships with suppliers to support quality, innovation, and value.Work with procurement teams to introduce new products and efficiencies.Support mobilisation of new sites, including planning, menu development, and operational readiness.Provide culinary support across other sites when required.Act as the senior culinary contact for clients across all locations.Present food concepts, innovations, and performance updates.Deliver tastings, showcases, and engagement events.Ensure full compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company policies.Promote sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and responsible operations.Maintain high standards and audit readiness across all sites.What we're looking for:Senior culinary leadership experience within multi-site or contract catering environments.Experience across retail, staff dining, hospitality, and vending operations.Strong commercial awareness and financial management skills.Proven ability to lead and inspire multi-site culinary teams.Experience working with clients and senior stakeholders.Strong knowledge of food trends, nutrition, and sustainability.Professional chef qualification or equivalent experience.Advanced food safety certification preferred.Leadership or management training desirable.Why Sodexo?:Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater.Belong in a company and team that values you for you. Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions.Thrive in your own way.We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing supportAn extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeingAccess to a 24hr virtual GP ServiceSodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension PlanOpportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development toolsBike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fitSodexo UK and Irelands enhanced benefits and leave policiesA little more about Sodexo:At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all.As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer.We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins.We're a Disability Confident Leader employer.We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.Ready to be part of something greater?Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications