What are the responsibilities and job description for the Culinary Director position at HOMES Brewery?
HOMES is a vibrant hub for food, beverage, and hospitality in Ann Arbor, featuring a nationally acclaimed production brewery, brewpub, commissary kitchen, coffee shop and roaster, as well as events and catering. With a dynamic, high-energy atmosphere, our community attracts thousands of visitors each year.
We're seeking a visionary Culinary Director to lead the culinary direction of HOMES Hospitality—a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and hospitality. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned culinary professional ready to shape food experiences across multiple concepts including HOMES Brewery, HOMES Campus, Dozer Coffee, HOMES Pizza Project, and HOMES Catering.
What You'll Do:
Brand Stewardship & Menu Innovation
We consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or military status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.
We're seeking a visionary Culinary Director to lead the culinary direction of HOMES Hospitality—a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and hospitality. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned culinary professional ready to shape food experiences across multiple concepts including HOMES Brewery, HOMES Campus, Dozer Coffee, HOMES Pizza Project, and HOMES Catering.
What You'll Do:
Brand Stewardship & Menu Innovation
- Lead culinary vision and execution across all HOMES properties, ensuring menus are craveable, cohesive, and aligned with brand identity
- Develop innovative, seasonal menus that honor guest preferences, minimize waste, and maintain food cost targets
- Work with leadership and FOH/BOH teams to pilot new food experiences, LTOs, and collaborative projects
- Cultivate and mentor a high-performing culinary team culture rooted in our company values
- Provide ongoing coaching, development, and leadership to kitchen leads and staff, fostering a learning culture built on accountability and care
- Support recruitment and onboarding efforts for culinary team members, ensuring alignment with company values and performance expectations
- Lead with empathy, integrity, and enthusiasm—setting the tone for a kitchen culture that reflects our hospitality-first mission
- Partner with GMs, FOH leads, and operations leadership to ensure seamless daily service across kitchens
- Oversee kitchen systems and processes to uphold safety, cleanliness, organization, and consistent execution
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure successful implementation of new menus, training rollouts, and operational standards
- Lead the sourcing strategy and maintain relationships with vendors, balancing quality, local partnerships, and cost control
- Oversee inventory practices, ordering systems, and food cost tracking across all kitchens
- Ensure prep systems and par levels are aligned with sales forecasts, seasonality, and event schedules
- Work closely with the Executive and GM teams to establish culinary goals and metrics for success
- Collaborate with Dozer, HOMES Pizza Project, and Catering leaders to build efficiencies, support brand-specific menu development, and scale culinary operations thoughtfully
- Represent HOMES at events, activations, and within the culinary community to champion our brand and foster external partnerships
- Participate in daily tastings, team huddles, and service walkthroughs to reinforce quality and communication
- 5 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, ideally within multi-concept hospitality operations
- Strong background in team development, menu creation, and operational execution
- Deep understanding of kitchen systems, sanitation standards, and inventory management
- Experience with food costing, P&L oversight, and strategic vendor management
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills; experience working cross-functionally with FOH, events, and leadership teams
- Passion for building culture, growing people, and delivering unforgettable hospitality through food.
- Competitive pay with growth opportunities
- Optional health, dental, and vision insurance with company contributions
- Flexible schedule
- Employee perks across HOMES brands
We consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or military status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.