Manager of Culinary Innovation, R&D Chef

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative R&D Chef to join our dynamic team as our Manager of Culinary Innovation. The ideal candidate will have a strong culinary background, a passion for food innovation, and the ability to create and develop new recipes and products that align with our brand and customer expectations. This role requires a blend of creativity, technical culinary skills, and the ability to conduct detailed recipe research and testing.

Key Responsibilities

Recipe Development:

• Create, test, and refine recipes for new menu items and products.
• Develop craveable recipes that meet guest expectations while also aligning to the Salad and Go Vision, Mission and Food Ethos.
• Ensure all recipes are scalable for production purposes at both our Central Kitchens as well as in-store.

Product Innovation

• Research and identify emerging food trends, ingredients, and techniques.
• Develop innovative food concepts that align with Salad and Go’s mission to make fresh, nutritious food convenient and affordable for all.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Strategy team to ensure new products meet brand vision and market demands.

Product Optimization

• Conduct routine analysis of existing products and recipes to identify opportunities for cost and/or quality improvements.
• Work alongside Sourcing in the evaluation of new ingredients to support optimization or sourcing initiatives.

Quality Assurance

• Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, and presentation.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product testing to ensure consistency and quality.
• Work with the quality control team to ensure all products meet Salad and Go’s strict food safety and quality assurance standards.

Documentation And Training

• Document all recipes, processes, and product specifications.
• Train Central Kitchen production teams on new recipes and cook processes.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure successful implementation of new products.

Minimum Requirements

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional kitchen or corporate culinary role, with at least 2 years in a development role.
• Strong knowledge of culinary techniques, food science, and nutrition.
• Proven track record of successful recipe and product development.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Competitive pay (Base + Annual Incentive Plan)
• Unlimited PTO (paid time off)
• Paid sick time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) program with company match
• Growth potential with a fast-growing company
• Free Salad and Go meals

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Salad and Go will provide reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Salad and Go is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.