Company Description
Founded in 1974 in Chicago, Giordano’s is renowned for its world-famous, Chicago-style stuffed deep dish pizza, crafted from a treasured family recipe. As a pioneer of this beloved culinary tradition, Giordano's has grown to over 60 locations and offers nationwide shipping to bring its signature flavors to customers across the U.S. With a rich history and a commitment to quality, Giordano’s has become a cherished name in the restaurant industry.
Role Description
JOB OVERVIEW
The Culinary Operations Support Specialist is a critical bridge between our corporate culinary vision and field operations, supporting the Director of New Restaurant Openings and Operational Excellence. This role combines culinary expertise with operational systems and training capabilities to ensure consistent, high-quality execution across all locations.
You will be responsible for supporting new restaurant openings, implementing culinary standards, training kitchen staff, conduct food tasting events, driving operational excellence through hands-on mentorship, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the team member possesses the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently, with or without reasonable accommodation.
ESSENTIAL
- 2+ years of progressive culinary experience in a high-volume, multi-unit restaurant environment
- Experience supporting new restaurant openings and/or launching kitchen operations
- Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, and developing culinary staff
- Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles
- Relevant certification preferred (ServSafe, ACF, or equivalent)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences
- Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Willingness to travel frequently to support openings and field locations (estimated 40-60% travel)
PREFERRED
- Experience with pizza or Italian cuisine
- Experience in a multi-unit QSR or casual dining concept
- Experience developing and delivering training programs
- Knowledge of kitchen management systems, POS systems, or restaurant operations software
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS & LAUNCH SUPPORT
- Lead pre-opening culinary preparation including kitchen setup, equipment validation, supplier sourcing, and inventory stocking
- Develop and execute comprehensive opening bootcamp training for kitchen staff, covering all recipes, techniques, food safety protocols, and operational procedures
- Serve as on-site culinary leader for opening phase, providing hands-on kitchen leadership and troubleshooting through soft opening and launch
- Build and mentor opening kitchen teams, establishing positive culture and operational discipline from day one
- Ensure new locations meet brand culinary standards, consistency metrics, and food quality benchmarks upon opening
CULINARY TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
- Create and maintain training documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), nutritional and allergen information, culinary manuals that ensure consistency across locations
- Develop specialized training modules for new menu items, techniques, and seasonal offerings
- Train and certify kitchen trainers and mentors, empowering site-level leaders to deliver ongoing training and development
- Coach and mentor emerging kitchen talent, identifying and developing future leaders within the organization
CULINARY OPERATIONS & STANDARDS
- Conduct field visits to restaurant locations, auditing kitchen operations, food quality, consistency, and adherence to brand standards
- Identify operational gaps and inefficiencies, recommending and implementing solutions that drive improvement in food quality, speed, and cost
- Collaborate on menu optimization, recipe standardization, and portion control to ensure consistency and profitability
- Serve as subject matter expert on food safety, sanitation, and compliance, ensuring all locations meet regulatory requirements and brand standards
MARKETING & BRAND REPRESENTATION
- Collaborate with the Marketing team on food photography, campaign development, and storytelling around new menu items.
- Represent the brand in media appearances, food festivals, industry events, and community engagements
LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- Partner with General Managers and kitchen leadership at multiple locations to troubleshoot challenges and drive continuous improvement
- Support kitchen staff recruitment and hiring, ensuring locations have access to culinary talent
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management support
- Communicate regularly with the Director of New Restaurant Openings and Operational Excellence, reporting progress on opening support, training initiatives, and operational metrics
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is an active, hands-on role requiring:
- Frequent standing, walking, and time spent in kitchen environments
- Exposure to heat, steam, noise, and food preparation activities
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly
- Frequent travel to multiple restaurant locations (40-60% of time)
- Flexibility to support opening timelines and urgent operational need
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
Giordano's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees and do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic under applicable law. We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely help religious beliefs, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. If you need assistance or accommodations during the application process, please contact the HR Department at: HR@Giordans.com.
SALARY $75,000 - $90,000 + Bonus
BENEFITS-
Medical / Dental / Vision/ 401K + Company Match / LTD/ STD/ PTO / Paid Sick/ IL Leave / EAP / Voluntary Pet Insurance/ Paid Training/ Flexible Work Schedule