Director - Culinary R&D

The Wendy's Company•Dublin, OH

6d•$154,000 - $277,000•Onsite

About The Position

When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you! Lead and direct the strategic development, commercialization, and innovation of Wendy’s culinary offerings. This role combines deep technical expertise with creative leadership to deliver Gold Standard products that meet brand, operational, and ESG goals. The Director will oversee cross-functional teams and external partners to drive product excellence, cost optimization, and consumer satisfaction across domestic markets.

Requirements

BS in Food Science, Culinary Arts or similar
MBA or similar
15+ years in successful new product development role
8-12 years in leading and managing people
Creative thinker with ability to problem solve, and achieve results in a dynamic environment
Passion for food, knowledge of current industry trends, awareness of supplier capabilities, and well-grounded in R&D process
Show a proven track record in working with agility

Responsibilities

Strategic Culinary Leadership : Direct the creation and optimization of menu items and packaging to align with brand strategy, profitability, and consumer trends. Lead recipe development, gold standard creation, and testing protocols using sensory and consumer tools.
Commercialization Oversight : Lead the commercialization of new and improved products, ensuring specifications meet operational and quality standards. Collaborate with R&D, QA, and suppliers to finalize specifications and transition to QA.
Innovation & ESG : Integration: Identify and implement manufacturing and technology opportunities that enhance quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency. Support ESG initiatives in partnership with suppliers and internal teams.
Cross-Functional Collaboration : Build effective relationships with Operations, Marketing, Engineering, QA, QSCC, and Training to ensure seamless execution of innovation strategies.
Team Development & Leadership: Coach and develop Culinary Innovation and Commercialization teams, fostering a culture of creativity, agility, and results orientation.
Be a strategic counterpart to Wendy’s supplier partners, in partnership with QSCC and QA, to foster a collaborative relationship that leads with the consumer’s best interest.