Manager - Culinary Innovation Manager - Culinary Innovation

Wendy's•Dublin, OH

2d•$99,000 - $173,000•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 wasnt 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 youre looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand We got you! Lead culinary innovation by creating trend-forward menu items aligned with brand strategy. Manage formulation, testing, and optimization of new products and processes to drive profitable growth. Serve as a leader within the Culinary Innovation team, fostering creativity and best in class consumer experiences.

Requirements

Education: Bachelors Degree
Additional education information (major, etc.): Food Science, Culinary or related field.
10 years combined experience in product development, restaurants and education
Proficient computer skills including outlook, word, excel and power point
Strong organizational, communication, delegation and presentation skills
Creative thinker with ability to achieve results in a dynamic environment
Passion for food

Responsibilities

Manage Culinary Strategy for Multiple Category Platforms
Develop and maintain a robust innovation pipeline across assigned menu categories.
Ensure alignment with brand strategy, R&D Food Vision, food safety standards, and cost targets.
Conduct regular category reviews, identify gaps, and propose solutions to meet consumer expectations.
Act as subject matter expert, providing insights and recommendations to cross-functional teams
Monitor performance metrics and make product recommendations based on consumer trends and competitive analysis.
Manage Product Development
Lead creation of gold-standard prototypes and new product formulations that can be scaled for commercialization.
Conduct rigorous testing: portion studies, temperature/yield analysis, and competitive benchmarking.
Validate equipment compatibility and operational feasibility in restaurant environments.
Document findings and present actionable recommendations to leadership and cross-functional partners.
Supplier Relationship Management
Build strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure high quality partnerships and best ways of working
Be knowledgeable on timelines, quality standards, and cost parameters to meet business objectives.
Organize supplier demos, tastings, and innovation sessions to align with brand vision.
Provide structured and timely feedback to suppliers following product reviews and provide supplier performance feedback to culinary leadership for quarterly business meetings.
Stay informed on supplier capabilities and emerging technologies to leverage for future projects.
Provide Culinary Vision & Trend Leadership (15%)
Serve as a thought leader in culinary innovation, influencing the brands food culture.
Research and interpret culinary trends, competitive offerings, and consumer insights.
Ensure compliance with Brand ingredient regulations, nutritional standards and ESG goals.
Be agile and willing to adapt strategy in a fast-paced environment.
Grow and Develop Direct Reports
Mentor team members through structured development plans and performance feedback.
Identify stretch assignments and cross-functional opportunities to build leadership skills.
Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages creativity and accountability.
Provide coaching on project prioritization, stakeholder management, and technical skills.
Support succession planning by preparing high-potential talent for future leadership roles.