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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary standards and innovation for Chipotle across Europe, ensuring quality and consistency.
- Company: Join Chipotle, a leader in sustainable fast food, committed to real ingredients and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment, opportunities for travel, and a chance to shape culinary experiences.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven company that values exceptional food and fosters a better world.
- Qualifications: Culinary Arts degree required; 10+ years of experience in culinary leadership and multi-unit operations preferred.
- Other info: This role involves 30-40% travel and is based in London with a 5-day in-person work week.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
CULTIVATE A BETTER WORLD
Food served fast does not have to be a typical fast-food experience. Chipotle has always done things differently, both in and out of our restaurants. We are changing the face of fast food, starting conversations, and directly supporting efforts to shift the future of farming and food. We hope you will join us as we continue to learn, evolve, and shape what comes next on our mission to make better food accessible to everyone.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As the Director, European Culinary for Chipotle Europe you will oversee Chipotle Culinary and its alignment with our Global Culinary Standards which includes oversight of the Chipotle markets in Europe. You will partner with our international Chipotle team, strategic regional suppliers, regional operations team, and our USA based leadership team to deliver a consistent Chipotle experience globally.
This is a leadership role involving fluency in culinary skills, Chipotle’s culinary execution, and Chipotle’s Food with Integrity (FWI) ethos. The ability to partner strategically with suppliers to match our commercialized products and understanding large scale production is vital. An understanding of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Commercialization protocols is also essential. You will partner with the regional operations teams to ensure restaurant culinary recipes and standards in local markets are maintained and meet the aligned-on Global Culinary Standard. You will also lead regional culinary and menu work required to support local menu adjustments by leveraging a combination of local and market consumer insights.
Developing and implementing processes and protocols to drive consistency in our proprietary products, food quality, and our in-restaurant execution will be essential. This role reports directly into the Vice President for Chipotle Culinary and will partner with the leadership team in Europe to ensure we are championing Chipotle’s Food with Integrity (FWI) mission across the globe.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Maintain Global Culinary Standards: Develop and execute a comprehensive Global Culinary Standards strategy aligned with Chipotle’s objectives of delivering a consistent culinary experience.
- Strategic Supplier Partnerships: Partner closely with the international supply chain team and strategic suppliers to ensure core menu ingredients meet our global culinary FWI standards.
- Restaurant Operations Support: Partner with the Operations Services team to drive culinary capability and brand standards internationally.
- Teach & Taste Chipotle: Be an expert in Chipotle’s FWI mission and our Real food proposition.
- Kitchen Innovation and Procurement: Partner with the global business on culinary process and equipment innovation initiatives.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Operationalize culinary innovation and change via effective collaboration with various teams.
- Consumer Testing and Validation: Partner with the regional marketing and consumer insights team to develop and implement a consumer testing protocol.
- Budgeting and Cost Control: Manage culinary budgets, monitor costs, and identify opportunities for cost-saving initiatives.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE
- A Passion for Exceptional People, Exceptional Food, and Cultivating a Better World.
- Dynamic leader with proven track record of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Culinary Arts Degree/Certification required.
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree required with Master’s degree preferred.
- Language skills (English + 1-2 European languages) preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive culinary experience, including international exposure and leadership roles.
- 5+ years supervisory experience.
- Experience in multi-unit operations in regional European markets preferred.
- Strong understanding of food science, food safety, and quality assurance standards.
- Proven track record in menu development, culinary innovation, and successful implementation of culinary strategies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong business acumen, with experience in budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis.
- Travel subject to business needs. Approximately 30-40% travel domestic and international.
- 5-Day in-person work week at Chipotle London RSC.
WHO WE ARE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Chipotle has over 3,250 restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognised on the 2023 list for Fortune's Most Admired Companies and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies.
Director, European Culinary employer: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Contact Detail:
Chipotle Mexican Grill Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, European Culinary
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chipotle's Food with Integrity ethos. Understanding their commitment to sourcing responsibly and serving real food will help you align your culinary vision with theirs, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the culinary industry, especially those who have experience with large-scale operations or international markets. Building relationships can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current trends in food safety, quality assurance, and culinary innovation. Being knowledgeable about these areas will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and your ability to drive culinary standards at Chipotle.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with menu development and culinary strategy implementation. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led culinary initiatives in previous roles, particularly in multi-unit operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, European Culinary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant culinary experience, particularly in leadership roles and large-scale production. Emphasise any international exposure and your understanding of food safety and quality assurance standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for Chipotle's mission and how your values align with their Food with Integrity ethos. Provide specific examples of your past achievements in culinary innovation and menu development.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in managing teams and collaborating with various stakeholders. Discuss how you've successfully implemented culinary strategies across multiple locations and how you can bring that expertise to Chipotle.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with Chipotle's goals. Prepare to share insights on consumer testing and validation processes, as well as your approach to budgeting and cost control in culinary operations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chipotle Mexican Grill
✨Showcase Your Culinary Expertise
As a candidate for the Director, European Culinary position, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of culinary arts and food safety standards. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in large-scale production and how you've successfully implemented culinary strategies in multi-unit operations.
✨Emphasise Strategic Supplier Partnerships
Highlight your experience in collaborating with suppliers to ensure quality ingredients meet culinary standards. Discuss specific examples where you have successfully partnered with suppliers to enhance menu offerings or streamline operations, showcasing your ability to align with Chipotle's Food with Integrity ethos.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong leadership and the ability to work cross-functionally. Prepare to share instances where you've led teams or projects, particularly in a culinary context, and how you foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
✨Prepare for Consumer Insights Discussion
Understanding consumer preferences is key in this role. Be ready to discuss how you've utilised consumer insights in past roles to inform menu development or culinary innovation. This will show your ability to adapt culinary strategies to meet local market needs while maintaining global standards.
