Culinary Director

We're looking for a Culinary Director, Corporate Services

to lead food excellence, innovation and commercial growth across the segment. As the face of food for Corporate Services, you'll bring Sodexo's UK&I food strategy to life, helping win new business, retain key clients, elevate food quality and develop culinary talent. Working as part of the segment leadership team, you'll collaborate with Sales, Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain and the Food Platform to make outstanding food a key reason clients choose Sodexo.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

For more information on Sodexo Careers please visit Sodexo Careers

Main Responsibilities

• Growth & Business Development

  • Partner with Business Development and Sales across the entire sales cycle.
  • Lead every culinary element of bids, presentations, client pitches and solution design.
  • Create food propositions that make Sodexo the obvious choice against the competition.
  • Influence bid win rates through compelling food storytelling and culinary expertise.
  • Support mobilisations so new food offers launch strongly and build early client confidence.

• Food Strategy & Culinary Excellence

  • Lead delivery of the Corporate Services Food Plan, aligned to the UK&I Culinary Strategy.
  • Guarantee consistently outstanding food quality across every Corporate Services contract.
  • Drive menu innovation that balances customer expectation, culinary creativity and commercial performance.
  • Champion sustainability, nutrition, provenance and responsible sourcing in every food proposition.
  • Hold the line on menu compliance and culinary standards through DRIVE and related governance.

• Commercial Performance

  • Deliver food solutions that improve profitability, participation and customer satisfaction together.
  • Work with Supply Chain and Food Platform to maximise specification compliance and purchasing leverage.
  • Drive standardisation of ingredients, recipes and menus wherever it supports quality and scale.

• Client Leadership & Industry Presence

  • Serve as Sodexo's culinary ambassador across the Corporate Services market.
  • Represent Sodexo at industry events, conferences, awards and customer forums.
  • Build trusted, senior-level relationships with clients and stakeholders, presenting to executive audiences with confidence.

• Culinary Talent & Capability Development

  • Inspire, coach and develop chefs and culinary leaders across the segment.
  • Support delivery of the Culinary Academy and chef development programmes, building clear succession pathways.

The Ideal Candidate

• • Proven senior culinary leadership within corporate dining, hospitality, retail or contract catering.
  • A demonstrable track record supporting business development and winning new business.
  • Confidence presenting to C-suite stakeholders and executive clients.
  • A history of building innovative food propositions that deliver commercial results.
  • Experience leading multi-site food operations.
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen, with fluency in menu engineering and food cost management.
  • Genuine passion for food, hospitality and culinary innovation, and the presence to inspire chefs and clients alike.

Package Description

Competitive Salary depending on experience

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater

You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way.

In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.

For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!

About The Company

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday 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 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

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.

File Downloads

• UK Rewards and Benefits Guide (1).pdf