Manager - Culinary Innovation

TL;DR

Manager - Culinary Innovation (Food Science/Culinary): Leading the development of trend-forward menu items and managing the innovation pipeline with an accent on product formulation, testing, and supplier partnerships. Focus on driving profitable growth through scalable culinary solutions and fostering creativity within the innovation team.

Location: Must be based in Dublin, Ohio (Onsite 4 days/week)

Salary: $105,000 - $184,000 Annually

Company

A global restaurant brand committed to quality and innovation with over 7,000 locations worldwide.

What you will do

• Develop and maintain a robust innovation pipeline across assigned menu categories.
• Lead the creation of gold-standard prototypes and ensure scalability for commercialization.
• Conduct rigorous product testing, including portion studies and yield analysis.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure quality and cost targets.
• Mentor and develop direct reports through structured performance feedback and coaching.
• Monitor performance metrics and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Culinary, or a related field.
• 10 years of combined experience in product development, restaurants, and education.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Must be able to work onsite at the Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, OH at least 4 days a week.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including parental leave and EAP sessions.
• Company 401k match program.
• Target annual bonus of 20% based on company and personal performance.
• Culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness.