Director Of Culinary - Research And Development

As a Culinary Director of a large-scale virtual kitchen, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our organization's culinary innovation and growth initiatives. We are looking for someone who has strong experience in culinary R&D, experience in large-scale production, and proven leadership abilities to be accountable for the overall leadership and performance of the company's Research and Development initiatives, guiding the R&D and cross-functional teams in the creation of innovative products, technologies, and processes that align with the company's strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities

• R&D Strategy: Shape and implement the R&D strategy in line with the company's overall vision and business objectives, including developing restaurant brands, menu items, and cooking and production processes.

• Production R&D Strategy: Lead and drive the culinary Research and Development efforts for large-scale production, scaling up production of products such as meat, vegetables, stocks, and sauces.

• Project Management: Own and oversee multiple R&D projects simultaneously, ensuring chefs stay on track, meet deadlines, and achieve desired outcomes. Allocate resources effectively and manage budgets efficiently.

• Design and Implementation of R&D Tests: Design, coordinate, and conduct systematic R&D tests to evaluate the feasibility, scalability, and commercial viability of new culinary concepts and products.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with other departments such as operations, production, and quality assurance to successfully integrate R&D outcomes into commercial products and restaurant brands.

• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, lead, mentor, and inspire a team of R&D professionals. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages creativity, open communication, and professional growth.

• Performance Evaluation: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for the R&D team and regularly assess their performance. Provide feedback and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Continuous Improvement: Champion a culture of constant improvement within the R&D team, encouraging adopting best practices and utilizing cutting-edge methodologies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education /Experience Credentials. Ten or more years of R&D leadership experience with a strategic focus, preferably in the food industry. Food Science degree combined with a Culinary background is strongly preferred.

• R&D Excellence & Results Delivery. A dynamic leader with a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering R&D projects on time and within budget. Business acumen and the ability to align R&D efforts with organizational goals for growth and profitability. Excellent project management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Familiarity with regulatory compliance requirements in relevant industries. Demonstrated ability to align R&D initiatives with business strategies and market demands.

• Strategic Thinker with the Ability to Oversee Tactical Execution. Outstanding strategic leadership skills with proven analytical, strategic, mindset, and capabilities. Strong background in research methodologies, technology development, and product innovation. Critically crucial to the success in this role is the ability to prioritize strategic focus areas and align those priorities within the organization. Visionary thinking and the ability to drive innovation and creativity among team members.

• Servant Leader. A true leader with a commanding business presence yet a managed ego; a mature and confident individual; represents and embodies the company brand. Advanced interpersonal skills: genuine and “real,” not political; tough-minded but able to relate to all relevant stakeholders in an open, fair, and trusting manner. Demonstrates, promotes, and exemplifies Inspires change and growth mindset; continuously challenges the status quo, fostering a culture of progress and innovation.

• Strong Communication and Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills: Teamwork and communication are highly valued here. The candidate must balance accountability and ownership of their activities while also understanding the importance and necessity of cross-functional collaborative teamwork. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; inspires and influences collaboration across all cross-functional disciplines toward continuous efficiency and quality improvement. Demonstrated ability to coordinate, drive partnerships, and allocate resources is essential.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year