Cooking School Development Manager - Dallas

Using your passion and culinary expertise, build an innovative cooking class program that stays ahead of culinary trends, resonates with the targeted audience, and enhances customers’ lives through a more fun and informed relationship with food.  . Recognized master who works on novel challenges, translating complex business and technical needs into objectives, plans, specifications, resources, short-term (1-3 years) strategic objectives, and long-term goals.

Overview: 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.

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The Cooking School Business Development Manager serves as the driving force behind the culinary education initiatives at Central Market. The role oversees the strategic direction and innovative development of the cooking school programs, ensuring they reflect current culinary trends and appeal to a diverse audience. This role combines culinary expertise with business and financial leadership and is responsible for the continued growth, performance, and profitability of the Cooking Schools.

 

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Develop and execute the overall strategy for the CM Cooking School program, focusing on profitability and brand enhancement.
• Using your passion and culinary expertise, build an innovative cooking class program that stays ahead of culinary trends, resonates with the targeted audience, and enhances customers’ lives through a more fun and informed relationship with food.  
• Stay ahead of market trends, customer preferences, and seasonal opportunities to drive category growth and innovation. At Central Market, we set trends rather than follow them. We pride ourselves in being first-to-market.
• Build and maintain relationships with chefs, culinary experts, community leaders, and influencers to enhance program credibility and visibility.
• Manage the fiscal responsibility for the Cooking School Division, including forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Monitor category performance through sales data, market analysis, plus Partner and customer feedback.  
• Generate actionable insights to drive profitability, optimize catalog, and improve efficiency. Scorecard includes Sales, Gross Profit, Contribution, Innovation, Central Market Cooking School Experience.
• Collaborate with Cooking School Managers across our stores, providing guidance and support to optimize operations and to deliver exceptional class experiences.
• Lead process development and training sessions for cooking school instructors to ensure consistent quality and innovation.
• Partner with Marketing to promote cooking classes, leveraging channels such as social media, influencers, and traditional marketing avenues.
• Serve as informal or formal thought leader and mentor.

The responsibilities and essential functions outlined above describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS
Expert individual contributor in a professional role. Creates overall Cooking School Strategy and receives direction in the form of broad outcomes and is expected to define project objectives and own final results. Recognized master who works on novel challenges, translating complex business and technical needs into objectives, plans, specifications, resources, short-term (1-3 years) strategic objectives, and long-term goals.

Majority of time is spent developing and implementing new products, processes, standards, and/or operational plans. Performance has a long-term effect on the company's success. Coaches, directs, oversees, and/or reviews the work of lower-level professionals.

Strategic advisor to senior leadership, consulting on solutions and strategic implementation of new initiatives with far-reaching impacts. Creates formal networks across the organization.

 

• Bachelor's degree, or role-relevant experience: 10+ years of relevant experience and culinary degree preferred.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of both global and local cuisine trends.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and media relations.
• Experience in forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to drive results with a track record of success.
• Experience in food cost management, class profitability analysis, and KPI-driven performance metrics.
• Familiarity with digital marketing strategies, including engagement with social media personalities and influencers.
• Media experience, including press interviews, on-camera appearances, and brand representation.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Travel by car or airplane with overnight stays.
- Work extended hours
- Work flexible shifts

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.