Culinary Development Manager

The Culinary Innovation Manager will lead and manage product development of new products, and execution of strategic initiatives as it relates to all segments and dayparts from concept approval to product launch. This position will also lead the physical development of new products, product builds, and product improvement initiatives, bringing concepts to life through consumer and in-store testing. It will be critical for this role to partner with cross-functional teams to deliver products that best meet success criteria for consumer, operations & financial goals.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Product Innovation team in delivering against organizational and personal goals, objectives, and strategies
• Work independently on development projects, with check-ins & guidance from supervisor as needed. Participate in the creation of new product development objectives while collaborating with cross functional teams including: New Product Marketing, Operations, Procurement, Commercialization, Quality Assurance, Brand Marketing and others as appropriate
• Independently work with vendor partners to develop new products from gold-standard product to initial benchtop samples and through commercialization process. Own development of products. Make recommendations for improvements to current prototypes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development and creation of product specifications on commercialized products with vendor partners, Commercialization Quality Assurance, and other teams as necessary
• Lead product taste tests and new product showings. Present product improvement/change recommendations based on taste test results and/or feedback to Culinary Innovation leadership
• Partner with Procurement Team to develop accurate food & paper formulas. Provide raw material/formula specifications to Agile Lead
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify enhancements to new product development and product improvement initiatives. Make recommendations to Culinary Innovation leadership for best course of action.
• Manage the Product Innovation segment of the Product Lifecycle Management system. Plan and execute Product Showcase events to (and not limited to) SONIC Senior Management, All Management Retreat, Board of Directors, Franchise Community, Marketing Leadership, Shareholders & SONIC National Convention
• Provide guidance and support to other product Developers. Oversee the planning and communication of the Culinary Support Team events/activities. Other duties assigned as needed.

Requirements:

• 2 Year Degree - A culinary or Food related degree is required for this position
• 3-5 years’ experience in a culinary or product development role required. Experience in QSR Culinary Development highly preferred