Senior Director of Food Service - Central Market

Central Market•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Central Market is a specialty grocery that started in Austin, Texas in 1994, and has grown to multiple locations across the state. What makes Central Market one of the freshest markets in the country - Try a sumptuous selection of everything edible, for starters. We go straight to the source to bring you the finest food and drink the world has to offer. With hundreds of cheeses, thousands of wines, acres of produce, and aisles of experts, Central Market is a foodie’s wonderland. Our commitment beyond the plate is another reason we’re a cut above. We believe food is a way of uniting families and communities, of preserving cultures, and of starting new traditions. Each of our stores is a market in the truest sense and is a place to exchange goods, services, and ideas for those really into food. Position Summary The Senior Director of Food Service provides enterprise leadership and strategic direction across Central Market’s Food Service ecosystem, including Chef Prepared Foods, Bakery, Pastry, Deli, Cheese, Coffee Bar, and Restaurant operations. This leader defines and advances the long-term vision for Food Service by influencing store-level execution and partnering across Operations, Merchandising, Culinary, and Support functions. The role ensures a consistently differentiated, chef-driven customer experience while driving measurable business performance across all locations.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive leadership experience in Food Service, Retail Grocery, Hospitality, or a related industry
Proven success leading multi-unit, complex food operations at scale
Strong financial acumen with experience influencing P&L performance
Deep understanding of culinary trends, food production, and customer experience
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence in a matrixed organization
Track record of building and developing high-performing teams

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience considered

Responsibilities

Influence enterprise-wide performance across Food Service categories, including sales, margin, labor, shrink, and food cost
Partner with Finance and Operations to identify opportunities that improve profitability and productivity
Shape long-term strategy for growth, innovation, and scalability of Food Service programs
Analyze performance trends and translate insights into actionable, enterprise-level strategies
Establish and evolve best-in-class standards for production planning, execution, and food quality
Drive consistency across stores through scalable processes, tools, and operating disciplines
Partner with store leadership to improve labor efficiency, throughput, and inventory management
Ensure alignment to food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards through influence and partnership
Lead the evolution of Central Market’s chef-driven, food-forward experience across all Food Service venues
Partner with Merchandising and Culinary teams to develop innovative, trend-forward offerings
Ensure exceptional in-store presentation, quality, and hospitality standards
Champion a differentiated customer experience that reinforces the Central Market brand
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Business Development Managers and functional leaders
Build a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Serve as a strategic thought partner to store leaders and senior leadership
Lead through influence to drive alignment and execution across a decentralized operating model
Partner closely with Operations, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Culinary, and HR to ensure aligned execution
Support enterprise initiatives, pilots, and new concept development
Act as a key stakeholder in strategic decisions impacting Food Service
Drive clear communication and alignment across all levels of the organization