Lead, coach, and develop a team of culinary professionals, fostering a high-performance collaborative culture while building technical capability and leadership skills
Lead the development and evolution of culinary-led innovation tools, methodologies, and processes to meet dynamic business needs
Translate North America business priorities and consumer insights into clear innovation opportunities and “dig spaces”
Facilitate cross-functional teams through ideation, concept development, and whitespace exploration
Guide culinary teams in rapid prototyping and iterative product development, integrating consumer testing and learning plans
Champion agile ways of working to accelerate speed-to-insight and speed-to-market
Identify and build strategic partnerships (internal and external) to enhance innovation capabilities
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including oversight of budgets, resources, and timelines
Lead the North America culinary trends program, identifying and translating trends into actionable ideas for brands and innovation pipelines
Partner with cross-functional teams to develop compelling culinary storytelling, inspiration, and communications

Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field
8+ years of culinary experience with demonstrated technical expertise
3+ years of experience in a corporate, R&D, or food manufacturing environment preferred
Prior experience leading and developing teams preferred, with a track record of coaching, mentoring, and driving high performance
Proven experience operating in agile innovation environments with rapid test-and-learn cycles
Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity with a strong strategic mindset and business acumen
Experience translating consumer insights and emerging trends into actionable innovation opportunities preferred
Growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and curiosity
Exceptional collaboration skills across internal teams and external partners, with a high degree of ownership and accountability
Ability to define, communicate, and execute a clear vision and strategy
Excellent communication, project management, and stakeholder management skills

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare
Protection and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs
Wellbeing events, resources, and learning opportunities
Physical
Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
Social
Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Senior Manager, R&D – Culinary Innovation Lab

Key skills