The Culinary Innovation Lead will lead and manage product development of new products, and execution of strategic initiatives as it relates to all segments and dayparts from concept approval to product launch. This position will also lead the physical development of new products, product builds, and product improvement initiatives, bringing concept to life through consumer and in-store testing. It will be critical for this role to partner with cross-functional teams to deliver products that best meet success criteria for consumer, operations & financial goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Product Innovation team in delivering against organizational and personal goals, objectives, and strategies.
• Work independently on development projects, with check-ins & guidance from supervisor as needed, and participate in the creation of new product development objectives while collaborating with cross functional teams including: New Product Marketing, Operations Procurement, Commercialization, Quality Assurance, Brand Marketing and other as appropriate.
• Independently work with vendor partners to develop new products from gold-standard product to initial benchtop samples and through commercialization process. Own development of products. Make recommendations for improvements to current prototypes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development and creation of product specification per commercialized product with vendor partner, Commercialization Quality Assurance, and other teams as necessary
• Provide raw material/formula specifications to Agile lead
• Lead product taste tests and new product showings. Present product improvement/change recommendations based on taste test results and/or feedback to Culinary Innovation leadership
• Partner with Procurement Team to develop accurate food & paper formulas.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify enhancements to new product development and product improvement initiatives. Make recommendations to Culinary Innovation leadership for best course of action.
• Manage the Product Innovation segment of the Product Lifecycle Management system
• Plan and execute Product Showcase events to (and not limited to) SONIC Senior Management, All Management Retreat, Board of Directors, Franchise Community, Marketing Leadership, Shareholders & SONIC National Convention
• Provide guidance and support to other Product Developers.
• Oversee the planning and communication of the Culinary Support Team events/activities
• Other duties assigned as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 Year / Associate Degree Culinary or Food related degree is required for this position
• 4 Year / Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary, Culinary Science or Food Science
• 3-5 years’ experience in a culinary or product development role required. Experience in QSR culinary development highly preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS or ABILITIES

• True Passion for food!
• Team player; collegial - good at supporting teams
• Incorporate a ‘best first’ mentality and mindset that continues accelerate our innovation process
• Excellent oral and written communication skills & presentation capabilities
• Ability to set goals, determine priorities, plan, organize & follow through on assigned responsibilities
• Ability to make recommendations & decisions in a timely manner
• Ability to work independently & as a member of a team
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Accuracy & attention to detail an absolute must
• Highly creative with an ability to be flexible & open to new ideas
• Proven ability to multi-task with little direct supervision
• Demonstrate effective time & project management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills & an understanding of the importance of embracing & fitting into company culture to achieve success with the ability to earn the trust of people devoted to the Sonic way of doing things; empowering people to accept intelligent change as a subtle but effective agent of change
• Excellent communication skills in multiple mediums to multiple audiences including public speaking & written (including electronic communications)
• Flexibility to work within an open concept office environment & within established guidelines
• Proficient in using Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel & other relevant software programs.

Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes nearly 32,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC Drive-In restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.