EU Culinary Director

The North Search

  • Barcelona
  • Permanente
  • Tiempo completo
  • Hace 2 meses
North Search is a leading international talent consultancy, partnering with organizations across rapidly changing sectors to deliver outstanding talent and innovative leadership.We are excited to announce a unique opportunity with one of Europe’s foremost FMCG groups. Committed to culinary innovation and operational excellence, our client sets new benchmarks for gastronomic quality, guest experience, and sustainability at scale across multiple countries. With a portfolio of award-winning concepts, they are recognized as an industry pioneer in creating localized yet globally relevant experiences based on innovative ingredientsWe are now searching for a passionate and visionary individual to lead as EU Culinary Director, ensuring consistency, creativity, and strategic growth within our culinary operations spanning the European Union, leading a multidisciplinary team.Key Mission:As the EU Culinary Director, you will report directly to the Regional VP. Your mission is to provide strategic and tactical direction for the function of Culinary in collaboration with the Leadership Team in elevating the capability, shape, and execute the group’s culinary vision through a unified yet flexible strategy that adapts to local market trends, customer preferences, and operational realities. You will have full responsibility for product development, kitchen innovation, and the implementation of food safety and sustainability standards, ensuring our client remains at the forefront of the European foodservice sector. Furthermore, you will play an active role in leading and leveraging the coordination of Product and Segment Culinary.Main Responsibilities:
  • Lead the overall culinary direction for all sites across the EU, setting standards for menu quality, food presentation, taste, and customer satisfaction.
  • Develop, launch, and oversee new concepts, signature dishes, and update current offerings in coordination with the local and regional teams.
  • Drive continuous improvement in food quality, ingredient sourcing, cost control, and operational efficiencies, while optimizing for local conditions and seasonality.
  • Implement and monitor compliance with food safety, labor, and hygiene standards (HACCP, ISO, local legislative compliance) throughout all properties.
  • Establish culinary training programs, mentor site-level chefs and culinary staff, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance team culture.
  • Create kitchen processes and reporting systems for quality control, kitchen productivity, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
  • Act as an ambassador for the brand, developing strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and the broader culinary community.
  • Prepare and present regular culinary performance reports and strategic plans to the Group’s Steering Committee and leadership team.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a relevant field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
  • Minimum 8 years’ progressive leadership experience managing culinary strategy for multi-site, multi-country B2B development.
  • In-depth knowledge of EU food safety regulations, sustainability best practices, and cross-market food trends.
  • Exceptional skills in team leadership, people development, and change management.
  • Outstanding communication skills and experience collaborating across multicultural, cross-functional teams.
  • Fluency in English required; additional European languages a strong advantage.
  • Willingness to travel across European countries as needed. This role could be based in different locations.
Who You Are:You are a creative and commercially savvy culinary executive who excels in fast-paced, innovative B2B environments. Empowering and inspiring others, you balance a passion for ingredient innovation with deep operational expertise and strong business acumen. Your track record shows an ability to adapt and lead in diverse, multinational contexts—delivering culinary excellence and business results.Why Join as EU Culinary Director?
  • A pivotal role to set industry-leading culinary standards across the European marketplace.
  • Opportunity to shape and scale innovation within a respected, growth-focused hospitality organization.
  • Collaboration with a highly motivated leadership team and talented professionals span multiple markets.
  • Attractive compensation, benefits package, and substantial opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Open, inclusive culture committed to diversity, equity, and excellence.
Ready?North Search and our client are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from professionals of all gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities.Take your culinary career to the next level—apply or contact us for more information.North search es una consultoría de talento global, que se sitúa como partner de empresas de sectores en transformación, ayudándoles a constriur un potencial de talento sólido e innovador.

The North Search