Culinary Director
hace 14 días
Redmond
Job Description Job Title: Culinary Director Location: Redmond / Renton, WA | Company Wide | Full-Time Pay Range: $110,000 – $130,000 annually** Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity. About Us: Kizuki International LLC is one company united by a single purpose — to spread joy through authentic culinary experiences. Our family of Asian culinary brands includes: • Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya – delivering the most authentic Japanese ramen experience outside Japan through scratch-made broths, Japanese-designed interiors, and craftsmanship., • Supreme Dumplings – offering handcrafted Xiao Long Bao and other small bites made with precision, tradition, and heartfelt execution. About the Role: The Culinary Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving culinary excellence, operational consistency, menu innovation, and food quality across all restaurant brands and commissary kitchens within Kizuki International LLC. You will oversee culinary strategy and execution across 20+ restaurant locations and multiple central kitchens supporting Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, Supreme Dumplings, Tang Bar, and Swish Swish. This role requires a strategic, hands-on leader ready to elevate multi-concept, multi-state operations. You will coach, inspire, and support back-of-house teams, define culinary standards, and partner closely with Operations, Procurement, Marketing, and Executive Leadership. Reports To: Director of Operations Key Responsibilities Culinary Leadership & Standards • Maintain, enforce, and elevate culinary standards across all restaurant and commissary locations., • Ensure consistency in flavor, texture, presentation, and portioning., • Conduct audits for food quality, kitchen cleanliness, equipment condition, and health-code compliance., • Lead creation, testing, and rollout of new menu items and seasonal offerings., • Collaborate with Marketing on product launches, promotions, and culinary storytelling., • Manage food costs, labor costs, and budgets to meet financial targets., • Optimize prime cost, COGS, food cost %, labor cost %, inventory turnover, and menu profitability., • Partner with Procurement to source high-quality ingredients while maintaining cost control., • Coach and develop chefs, kitchen managers, and commissary leads., • Foster a collaborative, high-performance kitchen culture., • Deliver training on culinary techniques, safety, and operational best practices., • Uphold strict food safety standards and allergen management procedures., • Maintain high audit scores and regulatory compliance., • Partner with Operations to resolve staffing challenges and guest feedback., • Support vendor and supplier relationships. Financial Metrics: • 5+ years multi-unit culinary management experience, including 3+ years in senior leadership, • High school diploma or GED required; Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management degree preferred, • Strong financial knowledge: COGS, labor, food cost %, budgets, and inventory systems, • Excellent communication skills with ability to coach, motivate, and influence teams, • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation regulations, and production systems, • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment managing multiple priorities, • Ability to travel between locations and work nights/weekends as needed, • Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in various kitchen conditions, • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & AD&D insurance, • Employee Assistance Program & Teladoc, • Paid time off, • People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Join Our Culinary Family If you are passionate about driving culinary excellence, developing teams, and elevating multi-concept operations, we’d love to meet you. Your leadership will shape the future of 20+ restaurants, 4+ commissary kitchens, and four fast-growing Asian culinary brands — all united by the belief that food made with passion brings people together.