Culinary Director

Culinary Director Birmingham, MI area Italian Restaurant & Upscale Bar/LoungeSearch by Harper Associates We are seeking an ambitious, growth-oriented Culinary Director to lead the culinary vision and operations for two distinct concepts: a casual, full-service Italian restaurant with a scratch kitchen and an upscale bar/lounge known for exceptional food and hospitality. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who can develop compelling menus, establish operational systems, build strong teams, drive profitability, and play a key role in the company’s continued growth.Key ResponsibilitiesOversee culinary operations and maintain exceptional food quality and consistency across both concepts.Develop menus, recipes, SOPs, and standardized kitchen procedures.Manage menu costing, food cost controls, portioning, and profitability.Recruit, train, mentor, and develop high-performing culinary teams.Create innovative, concept-driven menus that complement each venue’s identity and guest experience.Maintain a visible presence in the dining rooms, touching tables, engaging with guests, and gathering feedback.Partner with ownership and operations leadership to improve performance, build scalable systems, and support future expansion.QualificationsExtensive culinary leadership experience in full-service restaurants, upscale bars, lounges, or comparable hospitality concepts.Proven expertise in scratch kitchens, menu development, food costing, SOP implementation, and staff training.Strong business acumen with a track record of improving operational efficiency and financial performance.Hands-on leadership style, creative vision, and a passion for exceptional food and hospitality.The OpportunityThis is more than an operations role—it’s a chance to help shape the future of a growing hospitality company. We are looking for a forward-thinking culinary leader who can elevate two unique concepts, develop exceptional teams, strengthen profitability, and help build the foundation for future growth. If you’re a creative, business-minded culinary leader ready to make an impact and grow with an ambitious company, we want to hear from you.Please email resume to: ben@harperjobs.com Ben Schwartz | President | Harper AssociatesDirect: (248) 737-0431 | Fax (888) 737-8525ben@harperjobs.com | www.harperjobs.com