Senior Manager, Culinary and Product Development - International

Shake Shack•New York, NY

2d•$121,650 - $159,650

About The Position

Support the rapid expansion of Shake Shack’s global licensing business through menu development, product manufacturing, food quality assessment, and culinary marketing initiatives. The role combines food science and culinary creativity, with a focus on food manufacturing and commercialization, factory-based product development, and global menu innovation. It supports the creation and implementation of locally relevant, on-trend menu items and ensures products are organoleptically assessed and recipes adjusted to maintain consistency with Shake Shack’s culinary standards worldwide. The position works with the Supply Chain team to develop core products and ingredients as Shake Shack enters new countries and markets, and collaborates with U.S.-based Culinary, R&D, and QA teams. Responsibilities also include developing products with manufacturers, calibrating products in restaurants and factories, creating international menu items, maintaining recipes and specifications across markets, and supporting marketing events.

Requirements

2–3 years of experience in food commercialization, new product development, or a manufacturing facility.
At least 1 year of professional kitchen or restaurant experience; fine dining is preferred.
Technical commercialization skills to develop, analyze, and advise on custom food manufacturing needs.
Deep knowledge of global cuisines, ingredients, and culinary trends.
Strong sensory evaluation and analysis skills.
Entrepreneurial, self-starter mindset.
Ability to multitask with strong attention to detail.
Strong collaboration and project management skills across a broad business base.
Ability to communicate and translate technical information for people at all organizational levels.
Strong judgment and strategic decision-making skills.
Bachelor’s degree preferred; preferred fields are Food Science or Culinary Arts.
Related experience listed: 3–5 years of work experience, 1+ years of kitchen experience in a high-volume full-service restaurant, multi-unit restaurant experience, food manufacturing experience, and international travel experience.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Food Science or Culinary Arts.
Experience in a fine-dining professional kitchen or restaurant.
Experience in a high-volume full-service restaurant.
Multi-unit restaurant experience.
Food manufacturing experience.
International travel experience.

Responsibilities

Commercially develop proprietary Shake Shack products, focusing on localized production where possible; work with existing or new manufacturing facilities to meet brand, sensory, quality, and food safety standards.
Work cross-functionally on product improvements, reformulations, and maintenance; review ingredients and specifications and confirm that process or ingredient changes preserve product performance and sensory standards.
Travel to factories to implement product adjustments and review final products for market approval.
Visit key markets, taste menu items with local teams, identify restaurant- and manufacturing-level improvements, and train Operations teams as needed.
Work with the NYC culinary lead to develop and implement international limited-time offerings that account for culinary trends, cost, ease of implementation, and local relevance.
Create recipes and standards for new offerings and for local strategic needs, including daypart items and culturally relevant dietary requirements; develop scalable recipes and procedures that support operations and supply chains.
Conduct culinary tastings and oversee kitchen ordering, receiving, and storage in preparation for tastings.
Review and approve locally sourced ingredients used for limited-time offerings.
Maintain accurate menu recipes and standards across markets; audit each market at least once per year and hold regular culinary meetings to align on product changes.
Develop, review, and audit specifications, and maintain ingredient approval files for core and limited-time menu items.
Work with Marketing to deliver locally relevant menu items; engage with local chefs, restaurants, producers, shops, and influencers to understand market culinary landscapes.
Collaborate with Marketing on new-market development strategy and support marketing events, photo shoots, and collateral development.

Benefits

Weekly pay and performance bonuses
Shake Shack meal discounts
Corporate discounts for travel, electronics, wellness, leisure activities, and more
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life and disability insurance
401(k) plan with company match
Paid time off
Paid parental leave
Employee Assistance Program access on Day 1
Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
Development and growth opportunities