Culinary Manager, Asia

Overview
World Central Kitchen is seeking a highly skilled Chef, and innovative Manager to lead Culinary Operations on the ground to ensure the service of nourishing, comforting meals to disaster-affected communities. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced, ever-changing settings, adapts quickly, and leads teams under pressure. The Culinary Manager is a two (2) year contract term with the opportunity for renewal, reporting to the Response Director during activations and to the Senior Manager when off activation.
Preferred Location(s):
Asia - Must live within one (1) hour of an international airport.
Seoul, South Korea
Singapore, Singapore
Tokyo, Japan
Key Responsibilities
Activation Management: Respond within four (4) hours notice to a disaster area to act as Culinary Manager, on-ground or, in rare cases, remotely; lead and manage field culinary teams; design and implement adaptable field strategies; recruit, onboard, train, and manage culinary teams including local hires and Corps members; provide regular updates to the Response Director; collaborate with all WCK departments; ensure smooth handovers between Activation Managers; complete the After-Action Report after activation wind-down.
Culinary Operations: Design and manage high-volume production kitchens with locally led chef teams; oversee rapid food production across multiple kitchens in austere environments; create or advise on rotating menus and procure ingredients with local partners; ensure meals are culturally aligned and served with dignity and respect; supervise adherence to food safety, temperature, quality, and hygiene standards.
Budgeting and Logistics: Work with finance and procurement to project costs and source materials; coordinate delivery to affected areas.
Personnel Management and Training: Recruit, train, and motivate diverse culinary teams; provide leadership and mentorship; address personnel issues in real time; support recruitment of Corps members; identify training needs and coordinate development opportunities.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with local communities; oversee outreach to support WCK’s reputation; represent WCK in the field as an ambassador to beneficiaries, partners, and the media as required.
Requirements
Ability to spend up to 70% of time in the field. Activation typical duration is four (4) weeks, timelines may vary.
Must live within one (1) hour of an international airport or be willing to relocate; willing to travel frequently to remote and potentially hazardous locations with four hours notice.
Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent is preferred, or 5+ years of experience in management roles in fast-paced environments (military, emergency response, culinary, humanitarian, or event management).
Experience leading, training, and coaching large teams in challenging environments; ability to work independently with minimal infrastructure; willingness to live in austere conditions.
Demonstrated negotiation and diplomacy skills; calm and composed under crisis; strong physical stamina and resilience; cultural awareness and sensitivity; ability to work with diverse teams.
Fluency in English required; proficiency in additional languages relevant to disaster or conflict zones (Bengali, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese) is highly desirable.
Must have a valid Driver's License and a valid Passport.
By joining as a Culinary Manager, you will contribute to prompt, strategic, and compassionate relief efforts, delivering hope and essential aid in crises.
Application & Compliance
Application & Cover Letter Instructions : This application
REQUIRES
a cover letter articulating your interest and alignment with the responsibilities. Only applications with a cover letter will be considered. We encourage authentic, personalized submissions.
References and Background Checks : The selection process includes reference and background checks as required by law or regulation.
Equal Opportunity : WCK is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity and to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in their country of residence. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time. No recruiters or agencies, please.
Contract Type : If based outside the United States or Spain, the role may be contracted by Velocity Global or TCW Global, which will handle HR processes while you work with WCK to fulfill duties. Benefits and HR support are provided by the contracting entity.
Benefits
Salary Range:
$80,000 - $100,000 USD and/or equivalent in local currency per year
Why Join Us?
Innovative Environment: A forward-thinking team that values creativity and innovation.
Global Impact: Direct contribution to building a diverse, global team.
Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
Dynamic Team: Collaborative and supportive culture.
WCK is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive environment for all employees.
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