Head of Culinary Operations

Hendler Family Brewing Co.

Head of Culinary Operations

Framingham, MA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Benefits:

    401(k)

    401(k) matching

    Dental insurance

    Employee discounts

    Free food & snacks

    Health insurance

    Paid time off

    Tuition assistance

    Vision insurance

    Job Title: Head of Culinary Operations Status: Full Time

    Reports to: VP of Hospitality

    Salary Range: $95,000 / year

    JOB DESCRIPTION

    The Director of Culinary operations is responsible for overseeing all culinary aspects of the organization, ensuring high food quality, labor costs, budgets, training and operations, as well as innovating menus and dining experiences . They will assist in developing and executing culinary strategy across all locations. This person will be responsible for leading kitchen managers, developing teams, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring each kitchen is a consistent, profitable, and scalable part of the business.

    Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

    Culinary Strategy & Brand Alignment

    Design and implement brand-specific culinary programs that reflect each concept’s identity while aligning with broader company goals.

    Collaborate with beverage and marketing teams to create cohesive guest experiences. Lead R&D for seasonal updates, LTOs, and culinary innovation.

    Profitability & Operational Efficiency

    Own food cost, assist in kitchen labor cost efficiencies, and kitchen P&Ls across all locations.

    Develop and maintain systems for accurate ordering, recipe costing, portion control, and inventory tracking.

    Identify and implement scalable systems and tools (e.g., kitchen software, digital inventory tracking, etc.).

    Oversee food safety and health code compliance; set and enforce company-wide standards.

    Vendor & Supply Chain Management

    Build strong vendor partnerships that balance quality, reliability, and cost.

    Work alongside the VP of Hospitality to negotiate contracts, streamline SKUs, and pursue cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing quality.

    Establish and maintain consistent product specs across locations.

    Leadership & People Development

    Manage and mentor Kitchen Managers and back-of-house leaders across all locations.

    Create and oversee training programs that emphasize consistency, safety, growth, and accountability.

    Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and pride in craft.

    Build internal pipelines for BOH growth and leadership development.

    Systems & Reporting

    Develop regular reporting cadence on key kitchen KPIs (e.g., food cost %, waste %, labor %, kitchen throughput).

    Use data to guide decision-making and refine operations.

    Ensure consistent recipe documentation, prep sheets, and production guides across all units.

    JOB REQUIREMENTS

    Qualifications:

    5+ years of culinary leadership experience with proven track record in multi-unit operations, staff development, and financial management.

    Deep understanding of food cost management, labor optimization, kitchen systems, and inventory control.

    Proven experience in leading and developing high-performing BOH teams.

    Culinary degree preferred but not required.

    ServSafe Certification or equivalent required.

    Ability to travel to multiple locations on a regular basis.

    Self-motivated and able to navigate regional travel and autonomous problem-solving.

    Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.

    Demonstrated leadership abilities with a collaborative approach.

    Excellent customer service and guest recovery skills.

    Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

    Ability to build and implement effective training programs.

    Experience with Toast POS and Restaurant365 (R365) systems is a plus.

    Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

    Reliable transportation and ability to travel regularly between locations.

    Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and to stand for extended periods of time.

    ABOUT US

    HENDLER FAMILY BREWING COMPANY IS PROUDLY INDEPENDENT AND FAMILY-OWNED.

    HFBCo was founded in 2011 by three brothers, Jack, Eric and Sam Hendler and is still family owned to this day. Our mission? Create high-quality products that honor tradition and the spirit of inspired innovation. With an entrepreneurial heart and a passion for people, we take pride in learning from and contributing to our vibrant community.

    HFBCo is proud to offer the following benefits to our valued employees:

    Medical, Dental, Vision start on day one

    Matching 401k after 9 months of employment

    Paid time off, Vacation, Sick time, Company holidays

    Training and industry related education

    Membership in Master Brewers Association of America

    Employee Meals

    Free case of our beer weekly (must be 21+ years of age)

    Hendler Family Brewing Company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at hr@hendlerfamilybrewco.com. ​