Manager, Culinary Jobs

Job Summary

The Culinary Manager provides food science and culinary expertise to enhance the brand's product quality and growth. This role manages the Brand's test kitchen and works cross functionally to monitor existing products for quality assurance and to develop and deploy new products to the market in support of the overall brand strategy.

Essential Functions

• Participates in Franchise meetings to gather ideas for menu and product ideas and betterment of the Brand.
• Assists manager in identifying product solutions that support the overall strategies for brand penetration while maintaining brand quality, positioning and integrity.
• Tests and monitors that all product specifications and USDA/FDA/HAACP and food safety standards are adhered to across the product production cycle.
• Partners with QA team to perform quarterly testing of ingredients, equipment and product quality across all stages of production.
• Product Performance and Research
• Performs studies on new product concepts and creates reports and documentation needed to record test results, develop recipes and create operational manuals/training.
• Analyzes trend data and maintains memberships in professional organizations associated with relevant industry and culinary organizations to gather competitive intelligence on restaurant and snack products.
• Product Development and Delivery
• Manages the test kitchen day-to-day operations to support efficient and proper experimentation, testing and refinement of products; identifies and creates business case for additional support and technology to enhance kitchen productivity.
• Product and Menu Ideation
• Assists manager and marketing team in the preparation and set up of new product showcases, photo shoots and franchisee presentation.
• Manages Inventory and places orders accordingly of core products
• Tests and monitors that all product specifications and USDA/FDA/HAACP and food safety standards are adhered to across the product production cycle.
• Maintains cleanliness and organization in the Test Kitchen
• Manages the test kitchen day-to-day operations to support efficient and proper experimentation, testing and refinement of products; identifies and creates business case for additional support and technology to enhance kitchen productivity.
• Performs food costing and calculation of nutritional information as needed.
• Receives, logs, and schedules tastings of sample products.
• Makes recommendations on potential product development to enhance Brand growth.
• Creates documentation related to product requirements and standards needed for new product labeling, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and on-site food safety product preparation procedures and training.
• Maintains cleanliness and organization in the Test Kitchen
• Partners with QA team to perform quarterly testing of ingredients, equipment and product quality across all stages of production.
• Receives, logs, and schedules tastings of sample products.
• Makes recommendations on product and equipment changes and retirement based on testing and production feedback.
• Partners with Supply Chain, QA and Operations to address unresolved quality issues and identify areas of cost and quality improvement with bakeries, distribution and suppliers.
• Partners with Supply Chain, QA and Operations to address unresolved quality issues and identify areas of cost and quality improvement with bakeries, distribution and suppliers.
• Organizes new products’ initial setup, production runs and quality testing to drive the consistency, quality and efficiency needed to launch product.
• Manages Inventory and places orders accordingly of core products
• Product Performance and Research
• Provides cross-functional teams the calculations and data needed to determine food costs for new and test products.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree, Culinary, Food Science or related degree, Pref

Work Experience

• 2+ years experience working cross-functionally to develop new menu/culinary products, Pref
• 1+ year experience working in a bakery/restaurant kitchen, Pref
• 2+ years experience testing culinary quality and performance, Req

Skills & Abilities

• Planning, organization and follow up skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines and changing environment.
• Ability to communicate in clear concise language and flex to audience needs
• Able to create specification sheets for developed products
• Ability to clearly document study findings and provide executive overviews/information as needed
• Demonstrated tenacity and resilience in constantly changing environment
• Knowledge of shelf stability, retail food operations, food plant operations food quality and laboratory testing for various food and beverage products
• Ability to gather data from multiple sources and make informed recommendations and decisions
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Exceptional attention to detail and scientific calculations
• Ability to develop and maintain positive business relationships (e.g, franchises, 3rd party vendors, other departments, etc.) and foster an environment of mutual respect, understanding, trust, and support

Licenses/Certifications

• ServSafe Certified

TravelRequirement