Senior Director of Food Service - Central Market

Central Market•Dallas, TX

25d

About The Position

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. The position influences enterprise-wide performance across Food Service categories, including sales, margin, labor, shrink, and food cost; shapes long-term strategy for growth, innovation, and scalability; and establishes best-in-class standards for production planning, execution, and food quality. It leads and develops Business Development Managers and functional leaders, builds a high-performance culture, and drives alignment across a decentralized operating model. The role also partners with Operations, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Culinary, and HR on execution, enterprise initiatives, pilots, and new concept development. Success means making Food Service a clear differentiator of the Central Market brand, achieving consistent high-quality execution across stores and formats, improving sales, margin, and operational efficiency, and fostering strong cross-functional partnerships, an engaged leadership team, and continuous innovation.

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 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 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 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.