Head of Culinary

The Head of Culinary will lead and innovate our deli, off-site kitchen, bakery, and coffee bar operations. This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and culinary leadership to develop a program that not only delights customers but also supports better food systems and champions innovation. This role carries forward Woodlands' Housemade Vision, an initiative already underway to make Housemade our most craveable and highest-performing category across all three stores, and reports to the Chief Merchandising Officer.

• Develop and execute a visionary strategy for Woodlands Market’s deli, off-site kitchen, bakery, and coffee bar, creating a destination food experience in Northern California.
• Introduce and promote clean, sustainable, and innovative culinary offerings that align with customer preferences and food trends.
• Lead menu development with a focus on seasonal, better-for-you, and sustainability-driven ingredients while ensuring operational feasibility and cost-efficiency.
• Conduct regular tastings and quality evaluations to maintain excellence across all culinary programs.
• Apply Woodlands' culinary filters — craveable, inspired by the best of California, thoughtful, and fulfilling — to every new and existing item, favoring a smaller, higher-performing assortment over broad selection.
• Build on the culinary team and tools already in place to keep a fast-moving pipeline of new concepts and store formats on track.

• Oversee daily operations across all food service departments, ensuring consistent quality, efficiency, and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Implement and optimize workflows, production schedules, and supply chain logistics to support high-volume operations without compromising quality.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to ensure food safety, sanitation, and workplace organization compliance.

• Take full ownership of P&L for all culinary and food service operations, managing budgets, controlling costs, and analyzing performance metrics.
• Create competitive pricing strategies that align profitability with delivering exceptional value to customers.
• Use data-driven insights to guide decisions on inventory, menu offerings, and promotions.
• Partner with the leadership team to expand production capabilities and strategically grow the food service program.

• Build and nurture relationships with local and regional suppliers and producers to source sustainable, high-quality ingredients.
• Negotiate supplier agreements that prioritize clean, ethical sourcing and cost optimization.
• Develop exclusive partnerships to elevate Woodlands Market’s culinary identity.
• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing culinary and operational team across all departments.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused culture that values accountability and professional growth.
• Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support ongoing development for all team members.

• Expertise in menu innovation, food production, and culinary techniques across diverse categories.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale operations with P&L accountability.
• Strong understanding of sustainable and clean ingredient sourcing.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Proficiency in operational tools, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and compliance standards (HACCP certification a plus).
• Travel Requirement:
  Willingness to travel as needed to oversee operations, build relationships, and ensure quality.

• Experience:
  
  7+ years in leadership roles within food service, culinary operations, or related…